Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-06-07
Why Capt. Hall Turned Back.
within Four Days Sail of the Open Polar
Sea and the POlaris is Put About.

within Four Days Sail of the Open Polar
Sea and the POIaris is Put About.
Captain Hall, says one of the rescued
Polaris officers, was devoted to his
work, and all his efforts were strenuous
ly exerted towards the North Pole, or
such high latitude as would determine
the possibility of arriving at that long
cherished object of his ambition. The
winter of 1871 was favorable to his pur-
pose, and he had reached, as already
stated, the highest known latitude,
where the difficulties which obstructed
his progress did not materially increase.
They had passed what Kane supposed
to be the Polar Sea, which now proved
to be a sound. Beyond this they pene-
trated into Robeson's Channel and
were there ON the last day of August,
1871. The admissions of some, and the
statements of all, prove that had they
continued here and pressed on they
might at that time have penetrated into
the sea beyond. Some idea of their To-
cality may be given by the fact that
from the observatory erected in Polaris
Bay, in latitude 81 degrees S8 minutes,
Cape Leber bore west degrees south,
distant about forty-fve miles, while
their present latitude was 50 degrees 16
minutes. But few miles from here
was body of clear water, stretching as
far as the eye could reach-it is estima-
ted about eighty or ninety miles. Many
important circumstances Enthusiastically
indicated the existence of an unfrozen
ocean beyond the channel.
Mild weather, with fogs and mists
brought down by northerly winds, could
come from no other source. Land was
visible to the north and west of this
body of water great distance. Now
was the moment to embrace the present
favorable opportunity, which was liable
to be defeated by the slightest sudden
change, and, by prompt continuation
of their hitherto successful adventure,
achieve the glorious goal for which they
had hazarded so much.
But here, on the eve of an easy vic
tory, arose that fatal difference of opin-
ion, which blasted all the heroic explor-
er's prospects and rendered fruitless
that mighty energy and labor which had
already led him such a distance over
the barren and inhospitable regions of
the unknown north. The sailing mas
ter, Buddington, had several times ex-
pressed his anxiety to go no further,
and strongly urged the necessity of re-
treating to winter at Port Hope, in lati
tude 78 degrees 20 minutes nearly two
hundred and forty miles south of their
present highly advantageous position.
Hall was determined to proceed, if pos
sible, and would not consent to this lat
ter proposition. Buddington, however,
persisted, grossly misrepresented the
difficulties and dangers of pressing fur
ther north or even remaining where
they were. Buddington, being the
navigator, was the judge of these ex-
pediencies, and Hall believing what
Buddington had reported, at length
consented to yield, and the ship return
ed and put up at Polaris Bay for the
winter. The rescued crew say they
never could see any good reason for
adopting this course; there was no ne
cessity, and, although the intelligent
| portion of them admit that there was
the usual amount of peril to be antici-
pated from venturing further, such as is
incident at all times to an expedition of
the kind, yet, they say, that it was their
duty to pursue the object for which it
was instituted unmindful of the danger,
which was in fact not greater than pre-
viously. Before they retreated Hall
called council, consisting of himself,
Captain Tyson, Chester (the mate) and
Buddington, to consider which course
was most advisable. At this council
Captain Tyson strongly advocated Cap
tain Halls views, and urged the i'm
propriety of desisting.
The brave and the right cause was
overruled, to which circumstance it is
possible that Captain Hall owed his
death. Ii the vessel had continued on
it's course, as Captain Hall desired and
urged, the expedition would in all prob
ability have been crowned with success,
and the dreams of geographers and ex-
plorers been realized but an unac-
countable timidity, the offspring of q
craven cowardice or other improper
motive, annihilated the hopes of Cap
tain Hall. Buddington, from the posi-
ton which he occupied, was master of
the situation he said "Thus far have
you gone-and you shall go no further" !"
and he was obeyed, reluctantly of
course, as a matter of necessity. 1t is
impossible to analyze the motive which
prompted Buddington. From his
knowledge of the Arctic regions he must
have known that it was as dangerous to
turn back as to proceed, and that, if the
vessel was to be frozen in, she might as
well be frozen in at one place as an
other. The fact that Captain Tyson
supported the views of Captain Hall
furnishes additional confirmation that
the latter was right and Buddington was
wrong. Great expeditions have often
failed through the Ignorance, incompe-
tence or obstinacy of subordinates, and
it was so in this particular instance.
The blame, if there is blame attending
the failure of the expedition, will cleave
to Buddington, unless he can, if still
living, satisfactorily explain what now
seems to be his unaccountable conduct.
1t is not too much to say that his ac-
ton blasted all the hopes of his superb
or.
ExhalatiOn Of Moisture by Plants.