The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-14

/ The Search for the Polaris.
The fate of the Polaris and the part Of
the crew that remained on board when the
vessel broke away in the pitchy darkness is .
mystery which the government must under
take to solve. Never has any similar expedi-
ton created such a profound sensation, and,
as 1t is the bounden duty of the authorities
under whose auspices it was fitted out to
secure the fullest information relative TO the
missing parties, it would be well to consider
the best means towards carrying out that OBJ
ject. The latest proposition is to despatch the
United States steamer Juniata, third rate
screw of eight hundred and twenty tons, to
Disco and Upper Upernavik, in the hope that
some of the crew of the Polaris will have ar
rived by the time the rescuing vessel reaches
these points and some intelligence may be OBJ
tanned of Captain Buddington. II seems,
moreover, that the commander of the Juniata
is ordered to remain at Disco reasonable
length of time but, failing to obtain any
trace of the Polaris, the Secretary of the
Navy is to fit out an expedition to go in
search of her. Clearly there must be some
1t be the intention of the government TO allay
all apprehensions of the safety of the Polaris
no time should be lost. in the first place;
while "a properly equipped vessel should be
selected for the purpose and placed in COM
mand of experienced navigators and ex-
plorers. Instead of heavily laden man-of-
war, carrying only sixteen days COAL it is
evidently much more prudent to charter two
merchant steamers, which, thoroughly fitted
out under the supervision of such man Us
DIR. Hayes and laden with coal, could readily
enter on the search just about the time the
sealers start on their annual expeditions
And it is absolutely necessary to employ more
than one steamer, having in view the fact that
Buddington and his party may be'found in
the same terrible predicament as the survivors
rescued by the Tigress. 1t would require the
most vigilant lookout on both sides Of an ice
foe, while a place of rendezvous could be
determined on before starting, where, with
the proper appliances at hand, satisfactory
search could be instituted. But it is idle
to talk of sending the Juniata to Disco or any
similar locality there to await intelligence
that may never come. Altogether apart from
her unfitness for the task, it is bordering on
the ridiculous to despatch steamer with a
Micawber-like expectation, when the expendi-
ture of little money in the proper direction
will quickly determine the great question at
issue. After August next no vessel could go
much beyond Disco, and should the Juniata
fail in obtaining any information on the SUBJ
ject of the Polaris her nilsson would be worse
than fruitless In view, therefore, of the
great public interest which attaches to the fate
Of Buddington and party, as well as of the
deep and threatening clouds which overhang
the entire expedition, the Secretary OF the
Navy should not hesitate to act promptly and
with judgment. If the Juniata or any other
war vessel is to be sent to the rescue, her
equipment for the work should be complete in
every respect, while arrangements should be
made by which vessel somewhat similar to
the Tigress could be chartered at Disco or
Upper Upernavik, and, with scientific and
experienced officers on board, might at once
commence the search Want of judgment
and delay will unquestionably prove fatal to
an undertaking to the successful result of
which the world looks with great anxiety.
The Secretary of the Navy and his assist
ants in conducting the Polaris investigation
met last evening to consider and group the
evidence collected into report. Meantime,
from oil the hints given out touching the
results of this investigation, we expect that
our original accounts from ST. Johns will be
fully confirmed, even to the misgivings re-
ported in reference to certain parties on the
missing ship.