Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-09-20
THE POLARIS.
The Survivors of the Arctic Expedi-
ton.
An Account OF their snneripga.


special from Dundee, Scotland of the 18th says:
he whaling steamer, Arctic, Capt. Adams,
arrived at this port from Davis strait, having
on board the men of the Polaris expedition who
were picked up by the whaler Ravenscraig, on
the 10th of January. The men are all well and
show no marks of emaciation, such as might
have been expected after their terrible expert
ence
The following narrative of incidents that oc-
CURED after the separation of the crew are
gathered from conversation with several OF the
party:
the 18th of October, 1872, and her situation ul-
timately became so alarming that 1t was DEEM
ed advisable to make preparations to abandon
her. The determination to leave the ship was
arrived at on the 18th Of october, at which
time they were in latitude 70 dogs. Some of
the crew remained aboard while 9th
ers landed on the ice, 49,, and a. they
| of taking everything they could need for long
| sojourn in those frozen regions. Between 10 and
| II O'Clock at night, while this work was proceed
| ing, very severe gale sprang up and snow began
| to TALL heavily with strong, but variable winds.
Operations, however, continued, and after untir-
ing efforts the boats were gotten upon the ice and
a large supply of provisions taken out. Suddenly
the hawsers by which the ship was made last 10
the ice, gave way, tearing its anchor from lodge
ment in the ice. This was about midnight. The
anchor, in starting, tore Off large piece from
| foe with three men upon 1t, ana as the FOlarls
drove past them, they cried out in an agony OF
| terror, "What are we to do?' Capt Budding
| ton shouted back he could do nothing for them.
| They had boats and provisions and must shift
| for themselves as best they could.
| rNoTE-These three men, Sergeant Myer and
two others, were saved with the Tyson par
| ty,-EDs.1
| A few minutes later, those on the Polaris saw
/ boat launched and manned by three men, max
ing for the place where their comrades were sta
| toned. In a short time the storm and darkness
| put out every object from their view. The feel
| ings of the meu can be imagined, as with halt
l fhp left 70 n5rish tbnV SuDUOSp1. in a
| desert of ice and snow.
| The ship drifted away helpless until at last 1t
| brought up at Life-boat Cove. The prospect
| was nov gloomy enough, there seemed 10 be
| little prospect of their remaining in the Palarls
| She still leaked fesrfully and in her damaged
| condition BuddingtOn had no hope of getting
any further South with her. 1t was therefore
determined to beach her, but the question was
! how that could be done. The wind being favor
able an opening in the pack was finally discov
cred and the ship was bored through nnder can
vass Everything apparently favored the work
| but though the ship was only few miles from
shore, it took l. hours to get her close in. Ih'
next consideration was how to provide shelter
| for the men on shore. All umberS from tn;
decks were torn out, provisions were deposited
on the ice, the coal was removed, everything
useful secured. Walls of house were then bull
of heavy planks jointed to exclude the wind, and
the roof was made of sails. In such home thu
long winter passed. Some help was received
from three EsqUimaux who discovered the
wrecked ship and agreed for few paltry pres
l eltS TO convex the prONlSlO0S over IIo ITOIu
the vessel. They gave still more valuable aid b!
supplying skins for clothing, of which the crew
were greatly in need, for many OF their clothes
were worn out and many more were lost whel
the vessel broke away on the night OF the 18th
| The Esquimaux had plenty, and though they
were filthy smelling garments, the castaway
gladly adopted full Esquimaux costume o
fur trousers, coats, hats and boots. Througl
the long, dreary winter the men kept up thei
spirits remarkably well. The snow fell heavily
but it served to protect their frail habitaton au
make it more comfortable. Their arrangement
were so complete, that no visit TO the ship wa
| necessary before Jan, q when they went for
| supply Of wood. Fresh water was obtained il
abundance by collecting pieces of icebergs ant
| melting them. Toward the end of winter, Ches
ter suggested that some means be agreed upol
| to extriCate the party from their perilous posi-
| ton. The provisions gradually diminishing, an
| fuel, OF which only six tons had been 0bta1De
from the ship, was nearly exhausted. The Pc
laris was still ava liable for materials, and it wa
| now proposed to build two boats. A survey, b.
| Chester showed that the lining of the cabin coul
| be used and this was accordingly stripped OF
| During the spring months, with the thermom
| eter at % degrees below zero, and often in
binding drift, the building of boats went on
The situation grew daily more d1scouraglng, bu
| work never relaxed and the courage OF the mel
| never failed. Advancing steadily, the crew wa
| ready to depart by the end of June, and determ
| ined to push southwark. just at this moment
| when everything was in readiness, they wer
alarmed blythe appearance of scurvey. Happily
| however, the attack proved slight, and plenti
| full supply of walrus liver, which they obtaine
from the Esquimaux, enabled them to avert dis
ease. When the bosts were launched they leaket
| a good deal, but the men determined to trus
| them and slowing aboard all their remaining
provisions and ammunition, they sal
| farewell to Life-bOat Cove. II not perfectly
tight the boats proved themselves excellent sail
ers and remarkably easy to row, and on the frs
day voyagers reached Sontag Bay. After re
manning there short time to regain thei
strength. the par made for Hakenyt Island
| where the expedition was brought to q stan
| still by tremendous gale, which blew for tire
| full DAVIS with a continuous fall of snow for al
| that time, Immense fiockS OF auks, a bird c
the Penguin species, were encountered here
| however, and the men could easily take up gun
| and kill ten of them at shot. Ihere was
| plentiful supply of fresh provisions, which Wer
| yery thankfully received. Occasionally thei
| tiny crafts we're sadly beset, and 1t was feare
| they would come to grief, hut they were anon
| the ice and there was nothing 10
| done but to force passage southwark
| at all hazards After enduring many privation
| and encountering perils from which their escap
seemed almost miraculous, they succeeded 9
last, through great exertions, In Teacnlng cap
| Parry. An encampment was made every nlgnl
| and when the labOrs of the day were over, thei
boats were hauled upon foe and everythln
taken out and the only hot meat of the day pre-
| pared. The apparatus employed in cooking wa
| of the most primitive kind. Each boat carriet
| adusntity of rigging from the Polaris and ca
| Of OIL and fire was made in the bottom of an oil
bucket. Tea was the only thing that could I'd, D
state that the privatiOns they sutfere
were not serious The life was roug
and laborious, but though dangers oceaslonall
| presented themselves well calculated to inspir
greatest fear, no serious accident occurred, AM
on the 2st of June the boats reached Cape Hor
= in safety. Here they were again close beset wit
| ice On the 23d their troubles came ID an enc
| A whaler was deserted few miles off, and tn
whole party was at once in turmoil OF excite
ment. a great fear seemed to tax
possession of them at once that the SIN
| I,afo fhnU
themselves seen, and they put forth every effoI
to push through the ice with the least posslbl
delay. The vessel proved to be the Rayenscral
mails and cant. Allan sent a crew to their assis
lance and took on board their effects and one 0
, their boats, the others being left behind. cap
Allan treated them, they all say, IN the Knde:
and most generous manner.