The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1873-05-15
Arctic Expedition heath Of Capt. Hall.


Arctic Expedition heath Of Capt. HALL.
A dispatch from st. John, N. F., May
9th, says the steamer Walrus arrived
from the Zealand fishery at the port Of
st. John at morning, bringing news
that the steamer Tigress had come inte
Roberts bay, eighteen miles from here,
having on board nineteen survivors OF
the Hall Arctic explorations. The surviv-
in gparty consisted of II. e. Tyson, assis.
tant navigator; Frederick Meyer, me-
teorologist; John Heron steward six
scamen, the cook, two Esquimaux, and
one Esquimaux woman, with four chill
dren. This party, which had been land
ed on the ice from the POlaris, were driv-
en- from her by gale which burst upon
her on the morning of the 18th OF .Octo-
Der, 1872, in latitude Y deg. 30 min.
When they last saw the Polaris she
was under steam and canvas, making for
the harbor on the east side of NOrthum-
bcrland Island. She had no mere boats
left Of the six which she brought with
her from New York. Two were lost in
the northern expedition, two were land
cd on the ice with Captain TysOn's par
ty, one of the boats was burnt as fire.
wood TO make hot water for the crew,
and the other is on board the Tigress.
The POlaris was in command Of Capt.
BuddingtOn,w who had thirteen of the crew
with him and Il plentiful stock Of pro
visions. Her bow was somewhat dam.
aged, and it is the opinion of the sur,
vivors that they would not get clear un-
til July; and even then, il the ship is
unseaworthy, they would have to rig
new boats t. effect an escape.
On the 9Th of October, 1871, in lati-
tude 81 deg. 80 min., lnnditudc II dey.
n min., Captain Hall died of apoplexy,
and was buried on shore, where they
erected a wooden cross to mark his
grave. lie had recently returned from
a northern slcdgc expedition, in which
he had obtained latitude 80 deg. Is min
He seemed in his usual health and had
called the crew into the cabin to cncour-
age them with hopes of future rewards,
and stimulate them to renewed excr-
tons, when he was suddenly struck
down and expired.
In September, 1871, the Polaris en-
tered winter quarters and left August II
1872. The ice was very heavy, and sail
ing in q southern direction. She wa.
forced south and so continued drifting
till Capt. Tyson and party were driven
from her. The sledgc party crossed
Kane's Polar sea, which they pronounc-
ed to be strait about fifteen miles wide.
There was an appearance OF open water
to the north.
The rescued party suffered very much
during their exposure from hunger and
cold. For the last two months they ate
raw seal and polar bear as they could
get it. Whom met by the Tigrcss they
showed evident signs Of great suffering,
but during the nine days they were on
board they improved vastly and are
now in fair health. The party is in
charge Of the United States consul, and
will arrive in st. John on Monday next.
The following statement is furnished
by Capt. Tyson On the 9th Of August,
1871, We left Sesscnaski and went to
Smiths sound. We succeeded in get
ting rs far north rs latitude 81 deg. Is
min, when we returned and wintcred at
Polaris bay, in latitude 81 deg. II min.
We werc frozen up until the 9Th of Sep
TENDER. On the 10th of October Capt.
Hall started on sledge journey north,
and returned on the 24th, when he was
taken sick, and died on the 9Th of No
vember. We passed the winner at Po-
laris bay.
On the sth of June, 1872, we attempt
cd to 60 north with two boats. We
hauled our other boat on shore, and ,e-
turned overland on the Sth Of July.
We started tor home on the 18th of Au-
gust, ard on the 18th were bcsct with
ice in latitude so deg. min. We driited
from there down to latitude u deg. IS
min, where we encountered heavy
gale, the ship being under heavy pres
sure. On the night of the 18th we CON-
menccd landing provisions, &c, on the
ice, the vessel being reported leaking
very badly at times. We continued
landing provisions for two or three hours
when the pres sure of the ice ceased. l
went on board the vessel and asked de
sailing master if the vessel was making
any more water than usual. He report
cd that she was not. went upon the
ice again, and shortly after it began TO
crack, and in few minutes afterward
spread in many places. The vessel
broke her fas;cnings and was soon lost
to sight in the darkness and storm. On
the broken ice were the most of our
provisions to sustain the party through
the winter, and seeing nothing of the
vessel, We attempted TO reach the shore,
in the hcpe of finding natives 10 assist
US in living through the winter. Get
ting about halt way TO shore with our
heavily laden boats, our progress bccaurc
hard bv reason of drifting ice, and was
TO halt on the zee again. |
succeeded in saving fourteen cans Of
eleven and onc-haIf bags of
bread, ten dozen of ono and two-pound
Cans of meat and soap, fourteen hams,
one small bag of chocolate weighing
twenty pounds, some muskins, a few
blankets, q number Of rifles and an
abundance OF ammunition. In the MORN
ng. knowing that had no, provisions
enough and other articles Of food,
compasscs, &C., on the ass;c-
ment OF the gale endcavorcd to shoe,