The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-11

IN MELVILLE BAf-A REGION OF TERRORS.
When still forty miles from Cape York half
our fuel had been expended, and so we pushed
ahead under sail On the 9Th of August we
entered Melville Bay, the notorious region of
terrors, where the boat got into false lead,
the ice closing in firmly ahead of her.
At three o'clock on the morning of August
Cape York was sighted and the launch was
headed towards the land, where fog as dark
as night prevailed. Two hours later gale
arose, which suddenly increased to frightful
tempest. Here were new dangers. The gal
liant craft struggled along the edge of the
packed ice, but found no passage.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE SEARCH PARTY.
There was terrible sea running and the
spray danced into the air to a great height
and could be seen overlapping icebergs of
100 feet high, and the waves, dashed to
fury by the hurricane, burst against these
mountains of ice, breaking off ponderous-
looking, solid masses, which fell into the sea
with rushing, deafening sound. The de-
struction of the boat and all on board now
seemed imminent
For thirty-six hours we were bound up in
this terrible place, the gale continuing the
meanwhile and the appalling precipices of ice
casting off their unceasing missiles of death.
ALL WE'RE NEARLY LOST
Should the boat be saved it now became
question ii it would be well to attempt to 60
on. Indeed, further search seemed impossi-
bic, there being, apparently, one solid '.ice
pack" to the northward and westward, and the
Melville Bay pack was also close at hand.
NO SIGNS OF LIFE.
There were no signs of life anywhere along
the shore as far as it could be scanned with
the aid of telescope, and, landing being i'm
practicable, Lieutenant De Long reluctantly
ordered q return.
RETURN TO TEssUIsAK.
. On the 10th of August the weather cleared,
and at one P. M. of the same day we sighted
X vi's Thumb.
On the 18th we arrived back at Tessuisak.
On going north the little Juniata Rugged
the land and sailed along on the edge of the
'ice pack" the whole distance, but neither
going nor returning did we perceive the least
sign of the Polaris' crew or the whereabouts
Of the Esquimaux. Our expedition was well
managed, proving that the commander was a
skilful and courageous officer, and worthy of
honorable mention on the record of Arctic
heroes.
MEETING WITH THE TIaREss.
We sighted the United States steamer
Tgress, Commander Greer, near Uppernavik
The Tgress had arrived at Disco on the 4th of
August, took in the coal left there for her by
the Juniata, and had arrived at Uppernavik on
the 10th, where she was coaled again by the
Juniata, and otherwise prepared, leaving the
latter place on the 18th.
VALUABLE HINTS TO COMMANDER GREER.
Lieutenant De Long boarded her and i'm
parted valuable information to Commander
Greer, exhibiting the chart showing the track
of the launch, and recommended him to take
q northwesterly course from Cape Shackleton
which suggestion was followed with good re-
suits. The Tigress then steamed across Mel
vile Bay and passed Cape York on August 10,
and without stopping passed across North Star
Bay also. As she steamed rapidly along the
coast she saw no signs Of life anywhere, and
finally took northwesterly course and
STARTED FOR NORTHUMBERLAND ISLAND,
where Frederick Meyer erroneously asserted
Tyson's party last saw the Polaris Some of
the Tyson party, now on the deck of the
Tgress, were on the lookout. eagerly watching
for the landmarks.
THE ROCK THAT TYSON RECOGNIZED.
On the 14th of August the Tigress passed
Cape Alexander and Port Foulke. It was now
all daylight; and rock in the vicinity of Cape
Olsen was now recognized by Captain Tyson
as the same that hid the Polaris from the view
of the party on the 'ice foe.'
HUMAN VOICES CALLINa-ExTrEMKNT ON BOARD
The vessel was here stopped by order of the
was heard in the distance. A boat was
instantly lowered. It was about nine o'clock
in the evening, and amid the greatest excite
ment Commander Greer exclaimed, II see
ceptible, and moving human figures
can be seen on the mainland near