The New York herald., 1869-10-11


WnnK S.Recept. 800 eols. The markc. was qus3 but
driner the sales being M bbls. 81 a VI e. tax paid
POLAR EXPLORATION.
~>~~~~~>~~~~>>~~>~.>c~~
The German Expedition-Lieutcnant Payers
First Report.
BY mall from Prussia we learn that Lieutenant
Payer who accompanies the German North Pole
expedition In scientific capacity, has undertaken
to furnish the papers with Information a. to the
progress and success Of the undertaking. The
North German correspondent gives HIS first letter as
f0ll0ws:-
For the first two weeks we were detained by con-
trary winds In the middle OF the North sea; indeed,
we were driven 80 far from our course that OF the
north OF tho Mars Mountains became visible. At
length the barometer fell from ITO MN, ITS highest
been blowing @ Without ntermlssion ' from ssn The
NORTH veered round TO southeast, and we passed
the Polar Circle At twelve O'CLOCK on the night
between the 6th aud 9th July We received the GUS
tomary baptism in water at degs. r., and passed
into the misty regions OF the Arctic Zone. This was
temperature of the air varied from degs to degs.
r.. and the sea baths which we had TIL now taken
we came in sight of the lonely and unnhabited
island rather rock OF Jan Mayen. 1t Is the centre
OF the seal fishery and In spring the boundary Of the
sh0al Ice. Its dark and rugged cliffs. broken by
snow-flled ravines and surmounted by mist-covered
hcights did little to satisfy out longing Tor the mar
be g. 700 feet, was to have been measured. but the
fog rendered this impossible. On the 18th we reached
norm d ~ ts 10 n,S aes W.
some % three cubic iatioms IL size; but this this
rouse us all from our sleep and bring US
on deck To-day, the l4th OF July, we reached
seems as ii the fogs would never leave u.s. they have
separated us from the Hansa since the 10TH Our
signals remain u unanswered; e. any rate Pendulum
longitude Is liked Tor our place Of meeting Gulls,
auks and stormy petrels n.y. continually around US,
aud generally fall sacrice to their curiosity II they
come too near On an excursion in one OF the boats
which made to-day several were killed. Indeed,
dangerous. The sight OF whales is o common occur
renee. On the 18th three came within eight yards
OF the ship. For time we watched them IN silent
wonder, and then opened quick tire with Wensel
rides, as IL was Impossible to harpoOn them from the
vessel. The wounded animals plunged enraged To
the depths OF the sea. Since we nave entered
the Arctic regions seals are still more common.
The dark heads and distorted faces which peep for
q moment out OF the lead-colored surface OF the
water full OF curiosity and suspicion and then vanish
again, are strange and comic sight, and 1t Is easy
to understand now IL was that the sailors formerly
mist0Ok them for mermaids During the first three
weeks ships were almost constantly seen on the
horizon, whose radius from the deck Is about three
quarters OF German mile; now we look In vain FOR
q sail. When we get q favorable-tnat is a west
wind TO divide the Ice we shall put on steam and
steer through tie pacx,ice westwards ior Pendulum
distant Q5th july. The ascent OF mountain 5000
ieet high Will then show US the state OF the ice To the
north OF the negaooring island shannon 90 degs.
north latitude ID degs. west longitude.) Ibis Will
determine the length OF our stay, during which we
shall occupy ourselves with measuring the degrees
OF latitude, determining the magnetic conditions,
correcting former statements as TO the position OF
places, ana taking q hasty survey OF the island
which is above ten German square miles In
extent. To the north OF Shannon the coast OF
Greenland Is almost unknown, SO that Will be first
explored. We cannot yet make further plans but
geographical discovery IL the principal purpose OF
our expedition The Hansa ls TO transport part OF
our Goals to depot on Pendulum Island. she will
then follow the Germanla as lar possible and
afterwards determine the coasts and h0rds. Accord
degs and IS north latitude, and make sledge expe.
d.tlonS into the interior OF Greenland. From the
middle OF May to the end OF June an expedition or
the kind Will be made TO the westnOrthwest, for the
purpose OF reaching the west coast OF Greenland at
the northern extremity Of Kennedy Channel rhe
distance about 100 miles, and It Is almost certain
that we shall march without dogs the interior Is
likely 10 be wld and rugged ana there would be but
little probability OF our being able to keep the AMI
mails alive. Every scientific observation which Cir.
cumstances permit will be made, ana high noun.
tains viii be climbed in order to gain as clear an
idea OF the conformation OF the interior Of the
country possible. II our plan succeeds we shall
approach the coasts OF what Kane believed TO be
open Polar sea. have been entrusted by DR.. Peter
mann with the command OF this expedition. Late
soundngs give 1000 to 200 fathoms at IL degs
west longitude and from "a degs. TO 10 degs north
latitude. Not far to the west the bottom must rise
suddenly, for near the pack-ice the depth varies
from loo to 800 lathoms. On the l4th, during par
ta dispersion or the fog light stripe was clearly
observable to the northwest, about degs In height
ringing the dreary gray or the SKY. The light
4 weak aurora bofealis; 1t was the ice blink.
Postscript the 10th july Yesterday the calm
sea sea and quiet ar formed picture OF the most per.
deep blue transparent water. At noon to-day, when
the fog cleared or the white borders OF the ice
pack with Its blue shadows and riffs lay before
u.s. at about three hundred PAGES distance, broken
and In rugged and cod suDimlty. 1t reminded us
glacier, ana the wind that blew In our faces was
truly glacial. The Ice, which first appeard 70 form
one great close wall, proved when we approached
1t to be split into wild masses and fields the latter
are often miles IN length. Stu no passage which
the captain thought navlgabe showed itself. lie
was surprised 10 md the ice so far to the east,
last year not met with till Is deg. west longi
tude. The continually shifting mist brought us in
the afternoon within fifteen PAGES OF The ice. Tue
roll OF the SURF the mournful and mon0ton0us fall
OF the water which flows In blue cascades from the
vast masses OF ce the low sound OF the ice fields as
they crate against each other and even the guIs
AS tney sit on their edges and are rocked on the
waves-every detail OF the arctic world, at whose
nlled interest," BY far the greater part OF the ice
seemed TO have been formed In the sea, the dirty
gs T9eh hs ors Of o ns e grsrs
are OF the most romantic kind; they realize
almost every picture the imagination can conceive;
cns or pears shaped masses, tho stalk being washed
away by the waves until at last 1t breaks. The
pieces brought on board had rough and porous
surface, ana were in state OF transition from
crystalline to 6brous condition. being also full or
cayltle. sd with n, air % ana water TINS proved they
be found II Is well known that the polar ice Is free
from salt, as the water IN the process Of crystaza
ton throws out all foreign substances Our first
task Is now to find the Hansa, TO take the rest OF
our coal ana provisions on board and then to steam
through the Ice to Pendulum Island. II we do not
find her soon we must be content with what We
have as 1t is doubtful whether we shall meet her
again. July 2o.-The 18th July Ia lucky, for on that
day, contrary to all expectation, the Hansa was
discovered from the crows nest. She lay In
the Ice seven miles to the east. north.
west wind sprang up, and there was every sign
or things having taken favorable turn We
steamed through q calm passage past number OF
seals lone OF which killed In the morning., polar
bear sitting in the midst OF difficulties on an ice
block and icy hindrances OF every description We
went at a rate OF 1--WE and o half miles, knocking
against the blocks, sometimes accidentally and az
others on purpose to try the strength OF our vessel
which creaked and groansd, while glasses and