Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-12
The Arctic Expedition

Fitting Out the " POtdris'-Test of Cdzrds Boats
The work on the steamer "Polaris, !" fitting
ont for Captain Halls Arctic expedition, is
rapidly progressing at the Washington navy
yard. As many workmen as can be employed
without being in each others way are engaged
upon her. Her mssts are already i'm position
and tire rigging is about being pat IN place
Her boilers zone OF which may be heated by
blubber) were tested yesterday with satisfactory
results, and il is said they are the best con-
structed boilers ever turned out in this country
Her engines will be ready Tor trial in a few
days, and like her boilers, they are built in the
very strongest manner. The vessel, ss she lays
a. the docS is daily viewed by sight-seers there
being much curiosity TO zee a vessel built spe-
cially for
hard KNOCKS AMONG THE rCsBRRGs.
and most OF the visitors who know ANYTHING
about the matter express the opinion tn at she Is
the most substantial vessel ever Constructed
She is double timbered throuehout, and has two
thcbDesses OF plank, and inches, besides
being corked between the tipIbers. In fact she
may be said to have two bottoms, and for about
half her length she is iron PLACED. Her propeller
is so arranged that il may be raised into a well
in few minutes, go that, in case she is trusting
to sails alone, the fianges will not retsrd her
speed. This vessel was formerly the Perriwin-
kle. Most OF the work upon her has been
superintendent by Mr.. g. X. Boush naval con-
structor, who left here on Saturday last for the
Norfolk yard. Mr.. Much has succeeded Mr..
view to having her ready tor sea By the 10th
instant.
Yesterday two
CANVASS BOATS,
invented by MIR. Hegeman during the war ana
used by General Sherman in his march to the
sea,were launched at the navy yard 70 est them,
with the view Of their use by the expedition.
They are fat bottomed square end boa's, the
frames being OF hickory and a7h, supported by
metallic knees, and are q great improvement
on the old pontoon t)ats. The dimensions of
each boat are 20 feet long, feet wide and
feet deep, and weigh q pounds and elch will
accommodate 20 men. The trial was in all
respects satisfactory, and when taken out Of
water the process Of unlinbe. ing and folding
Them up occupied only three minal5s.
TRIP OF THE HIGH JOINTS TO HARPER's
FKRRY.-Upon invitation of MIR. Garret, Prssi-
dent OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany, the members OF the Joint High Commits
sion will, on Monday next, make trip over the
road from this city to Harper's Ferry. I'm sddi-
ton to the members Of the Commission, others
WIN 60 along, making, In all, forty persons
President Grant, Mrs. Grant, Miss Schenck,
Miss Riggs. Mrs. Thornton and Mrs. LIE Strange
are expected to be OF the party. The party viii
start about 6k a. m, and retarn about 10 .. N.
OF the same day.
jefferson, in his work on Virginia. declared
that Ii was worth trip y > the A 'lutic 10
see the wonders Of natr re at Harper Ferry.
Our English visto.g will now have an oppor-
tunity to Judge )w far that a ser, ION was jus-
titled.
ASSISTANT SURGEON VIM. s. DIXON. o. this
city, has been detached from the naval hos
pital 1T Philadelphia, and ordered 10 the Wa
chnsetts, now fitting out at New York for the
Mediterranean.