Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-07-21

1 stoSSuN SoHCo bJOuHt3 \dDOblI AlbIl
will return to Batfin Bay, and pass
over the course of Kane, Hartstein,
and Hayes, directly north into Smith
Sound. The drift ice which blocks
up the narrow entrance to Smith
Sound makes it's passage very diff
cult, and, as DIR. Kane found, return
impossible. For this reason the en-
trance toward the pole through Jones
Sound is pcrferred by Captain Hall.
Also, since an entrance into the open
polar sea Of Morton is impossible or
uncertain with his vessel, Captain
Hall seeks winter-quarters where
his vessel may rest with the com
pletest security, and trusts to dog
and sledgc to carry him to the pole.
From Upernavik Captain Hall will
probably communicate for the last
time, directly, with civilization un-
til the object Of his journey is ac-
complished. 1t is possible, howev-
err, that we may still continue to re-
ceive, now and then, a token Of his
progress after leaving Cape Dudley
Diggs. Captain Hall is directed to
throw overheard once day, inclos-
cd in copper cylinder, blank
form on which will be noted his po-
sition, accompanied with remarks,
and the following message to the
finder, which is printed in English,
French, German, Spanish, Danish,
and Portuguese:
whoever finds this paper is requested
to forward it to the Secretary of the Ma
Wy, Washington, t. S. A., with note of
the time and place at which il was found,
or, if more convenient, to deliver it for
that purpose to the U. S. consul at the
nearest port"
After entering Jones Sound, whcr-
ever it is possible the paper will be
deposited near stone cache to be
erected in prominent position, up
on which will be noted the spot
where the paper may be found. Sir
John Franklin left somewhat sim
liar paper in a cairn erected at his
first winter-quarters on Beechy Is
land; and had he adopted Captain
Halls proposed plan of marking his
course in this manner, the tragic
end of his ships company and the
long, fruitless search for the miss
ing explorer might have been avoid
ed. Captain Halls experience in
Esquimaux land has taught him a
means of avoiding the destruction
by the Innuits of his stone letter
boxes, with which no preceding cx-
plorer seems to have been acquaint-
ed. Captain Hall, instead of inclo
sing his dispatches in pile of
stones, will simply erect skeleton
stone monument bearing some mark
to indicate where the dispatch has
been buried. Innuit curiosity, which
prompts the overthrow of the inclo-
sed cairn, will be satisfied with an
inspection of the skeleton monu-
mcnt, and disturb nothing. In ad-
dition, DR.. Bessels hopes to take
from the States some carrier pig
cons, whose young may be left at
Disco, and a message returned to
us when the PoIaris is safely accom-
modated in winter-quarters. Cap
tain Hall expects to be in winter
quarters to the west of Grinnell
Land by the lst of September. The
vessel will then be rooted over, and
protected as well as may be from
the surrounding ice, and prepara-
tions begun in prospect for the long
winter night which will soon close
around them. The fur suits of the
party will be completed, and the
months of September and October
spent principally in hunting. While
in the Esquimaux settlement of Ig-
! loolik, in 1865, Captain Hall was
visited by Esquimaux from ali quar-
ters of the north, and it is probable
that he will find many old friends
among the Innuit people in the Vi
cinity of his winter-quarters. In
these he has complete confidence,
and will cndcavor to establish friend
lv relations with them. Near the
vessels winter-quarters will be built
an observatory and other conven-
fences for the scientific corps, who
will make the best use of their time
before the arctic night sets in.
The student of the polar chart
will notice that no American name
appears until, in latitude IS ., we
approach the winter quarters of the
American expeditions. BY the
many English explorers not one
prominent American name has been
honorcd, while the American ex-
plorers seem only to have divided
the honor of their discoveries be-
tween American ana European
names ofprominencc. Captain Hall
will have many a cape, island and
headland to dub, and if, on the
chart, between us and the polar
terra incognito. VIC :ind only Euro
pean memories honorcd, he is de-
tcrmincd that the pole itself shall
be surrounded by a galaxy OF Amer
lean names which shall make the
territory peculiarly our own. Dur
ing the winter night, of four month $
duration, it will be Captain Halls
principal anxiety to amuse and in
tercst his companions. Mr.. Ches-
ter, of whom we have already spok-
en- as fine musician, takes with
him several musical instruments,
and hopes to instruct some of the
crew sufficiently to form a little
brass band One Of the seamen ut
present performs on the guitar
Mr.. Chester will also become thcat-
rieal manager of the expedition,
and hopes to find some good
dramatic material among his crew
Among officers and crew there seems
to be promise of perfect harmony,
and from commander to seaman all
seem earnest in their ambition to
accomplish the object of their ex-
petition.
On the lst of April, 1872, Capt.
Hall will leave his vessel and under
take his journey toward the pole.
His general plan is as follows:
Five sledges, drawn by from
twelve to fifteen dogs, and each
carrying two men, will be loaded
with provisions to their highest