The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-03-14
NEWS FROM THE OPEN POLAR SEA.
Exploring Steamer katahdin Nipped in
the Ice.
WITH THE NATIVE
PROVISIONS RUNNING SHORT. CHANCES OF
sUBsIsTING ON SEALS AND wALRUs.

PROVISIONS RUNNING SHORT. CHANCES OF
suBsIsTlNG ON SEALS AND wALRUs.
Our readers will remember that some
time ago the staunch and strong steamer
katahdin commanded by that intrepid
and experienced Arctic navigator. Capt
VIM. Roix, left this port to test the theory
of an open sea beyond the ice pack to the
northward. She was oificered and manned
by hardy and experienced men, fully
aware Of the danger of their undertaking,
and determined to solve the great geogra-
phical question. 1t is to the credit of all
concerned that she sailed without any
thing intoxicating among her stores, and
was provided with certificate fl ON Sheriff
CalderWood that there was no cider on
board. The scene as she swung off from
the wharf was very affecting, the friends
of those on board taking what might be
their last adieux. From the time that she
was seen to enter the ice, nothing was
heard Of her until weared, exhausted
and frost-bitten man, clothed in seal skin
trowsers and jumper, entered our office,
and produced the following despatch
EXPLORING STEAMER KATAHDIN}
Open Polar Sea. March 10.
We are in the open sea at last 1t ISN'T exact
ly what it has been cracked up to be We got
in hv hard work, pushing through heavy ice
with great exposure and danger But being IN .
he il. Hoo n h.,r
with the icebrrgs We got a. far A. place called
by the natives Winderput, when we deemed il
unsafe To venture further although the Obsta-
cles ahead seemed to be no more than we had
already encountered After remaining over
the Sabbath, and holding PRAYER meeting on
board, we started to return. In Very short
time, we encountered most formidable barrier
Of ice-packed hsrd and firm, with towering
masses. that ietied all attempts to pass. As far
a. the eye can see from the masthead there is
nothing but Ice. However. as the season Is
pretty well advanced, it is hoped that Il taY or
able change may take place III a few weeks.
vi Parles Of the natives from Winderput have
visited u.s. travelling over the ice on dog sledge~.
they seem to he peaceably disposed people, al
though Dragging IA good deal about the Advan-
tages OF their village. Two of their chiefs ac
cOmpanied them, one of whom they called
Ham-cu->han, and the other Fatwood-the lat
ter being sometimes called the MedieT King.
tie i SAID 10 be given 10 making hay while the
sun >ulHtS. UF~c people udt eNiientIE
Grated with white folks before aS hey under
stood the use of knives fork. and drinking yes
sells. They wore clothing Of skins, very neatly
made and comfortable. Il was noticed that the
chiefs Wore toX's tail attached to their ar
ment- behind, and this was an indicator of
their success in hunting expeditions, ,Nt.-be-
ing up or down As they had succeeded or failed.
On this occasion it WAS noticed that their tails
hung very low. The natives pointed north
ward. repeating often the word No-rum-be-g4r,
and muie signs like running tram OF cars.
The interpreter said they We're talking OF \ rail
road 70 run 10 the place mentioned.
- The question that exercises u most is that
OF subsistence a our prov siOns may run short
The natlVe- say that smells or small fish can be
had in their nets under the ice and promised
u supply. A very few dears have been seen.
but are very shy. Whales are about, and there
has been good deal of blowing in the vicinity
Of Winderput, Waru, and seals are quite
abun tant, and we can doubtless get enough for
subsistence. | propose 10 stick by the wreck,
and see the thing through. This letter is sent
by daring and experienced man, who heads
party ior opening communication with the out
tr world. YOUR REPORTER.
This is really hard case, and appeals
to the largest public sympathy The ques-
ton is what can be done practically for
the reliet of our friends thus beset with
ice in that inaccessible region The bar
rier is too formidable to be got through or
over except by experienced men We be-
lieve that the intrepid Morton, the only
white man who ever before looked upon
the Polar sea, still lives. Cannot his ser
vices be made available Surely some
thing should be done at once.