The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-04-13

destruction. They were inclosed il &
thin piece of seals bladder, which had
unfortunately been creased By ball SO as
to destroy the direction; but the super
scription upon thes back in German,
French and English languages, request
ing the finder to forward to its destina
ton, is still plain, The balloon was per-
fectly riddled with bullets, and the sava-
ges soon tore it in strips. I regard it as
extremely fortunate to have been able tG
save the package.
L am, very truly yours,
JAMES SCALES.
Sergt H. NJ 18th Infantry.
EXTRACTS FROM LOG BOOK.
IN CAMP, LAT. so DEG. 60 MIN
LONG. lO2 DEG. MIN.-At last we have
succeeded in crossing the great ice bar
rler, and are in camp on the open sea
discovered b7 Norton. to which we have
given the name of Kane's Sea. 1t has
been terrible ordeal, but here we are
with our sledges, boat and instruments
all safe. Lost but two of the dogs, but
the others are all lame. We are terribly
wearied after twelve days of such intense
labor, but viii speedily recuperate,
have established a permanent camp.
Shall leave here three of the weakest of
the party, and trust the balance to the
boat and open sea, to work our way to
the north. Neither bergs or drift ice in
sight, and, unless caught in pack, have
every reason to expect success. Sent
my last to you as agreed upon, from
old camp, Rensselaer, Harbor, hoping
che air current may watt it safely south
ward, and to q civilized country, and
thus anticipate our journal. Nothing
could be more complete than these hight
balloons and their initiating apparatus.
1t was a wise torethought to provide
them. The chances may be small, but
greater wonders have happened. 1t is
by no means dark. A winter season
Is much the most favorable season for
exploration in these high latitude.
Can. 2O.-The foregoing penned five
daps ago. We haye completed
q comfortable house for a return
station, and what is even better, cap
tured a Walruss, which insures a supply
OF fresh food. Party in excellent spir-
Its. All the dogs recovered but one. Iglo
viii take charge during our absence.
Inc sea has regular ebb and flow of
the tide, and long rolling swell, that in
dicates water everywhere open. The air
IS filed with elders, mollemokes, sea
swallows. and kittewacks, so that food
will be abundant. Temperature 81 d.
air, Ii d. Barometer nearly station
cry at 29.746. Every preparation
is complete, and we shall embark at
once.
Jan. 27.-Have been seven days ex-
posed to an unknown sea, without Sc
rious accident. Course generally w n.
W., following the ice foot along the
north shore. Bleak mountains lie in
the way to direct passage, and many
glaciers come down to the shore, but we
have met no bergs. and but little pack
Ice. Had five days Of almost quiet
weather, but a storm then rising COM
compelled landing, where we now are
Lit IS rocky peninsula, with only mar
row channel visible beyond. \ large
grounded berg shelters US on the west.
By reckoning, we are 2O7 miles north,
and GA west OF starting point. Barome-
ter falling, and dense mist drift, bat no
snow.
Temperature OF air, 10 deg, water,
3l3 deg. Have seen many right whales
and walruss. Brent geese, tern and ivory
gulls have been constantly about us. The
weather seems to grow milder as we gain
northward.
Feb. ?. The storm has finally passed
aud the sea is smooth again. Boat too
heavily loaded to run unnecessary risk.
Wild geese have been heard to approach
but have succeeded in killing six auks,
and multitude Of dovekies. Fitted up
his point as q return station, and I'M
loaded surplus provisions. The PENN
sula is a metaphorphic rock, but on a
higher terrace | have found few speei-
mems of sactcaba iatgosa, and Ielhna
grdealandiaE Also few pods of the
(SiHqual. The scene, as viewed from
an elevation, is one &C fearful desolation.
but it is evident the open sea is a perma-
nent landmark and never frcezes-a kind
of breathing hole for the escape of the
heat of equatorial currents. We can see
only narrow opening ahead. and shall
follow that wherever it leads.
Feb. Z. The opening proved to be a
narrow streak Of water margined by ice
fields on either hand about six hundred
feet IN height. and in places not above
ten rods wide. The gloom of this mar
row passage has been horrible, the North
star alone being visible at times for
many hours together. 1t seems to be a
polar river, with q current estimated at
three miles per hour, running southeast
ward. After some thirty miles rowing.
to nearly all points of the compass, the
strait makes sharp angle to the west.
and, after many miles, trends nearly
w. n. W., nearly in the direction we
most desire. A great change IS visible