New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-25
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION
DISCOVERY OF THE CAMP AND CLUE OF THE
SURVIVORS.

W ASHlNNlONJ Sept. S4.-I he IOllOWUlg us
patch was received at the Navy Department to-day
~. s. STEAMSHIP TIGREss. OFF GoDHAvEN,
ISLAND OF DISCO, Aug. 25, 1873. )
&c. NJ. robson Secretary Of he Nary, Washington:
have the honor to that this vessel
sailed from Upernavlk, North Greenland. Aug II,
1873, at $40 p NJ Danish pilot being on board, and at
HAS y. arrived at Tessuisak. On approaching the
anchorage, and while forging ahead slowly the engine
bring the vessel up, she lightly upon a rock,
hut backed of in few minutes No damage was done.
Gov Jansen came on board having no information We
accepted his services pilot clear the islands
Aug. y, at 1855 a. M, stopped and communicated
with the Junata steam launch but obtained iDfOma-
tlon about the Polaris. At 1916 m discharged the
pilots parted company with the steam launch and stood
70 the noTthward. Aug 10, at 10 IN. passed Cape
yet were enough to clearly observe any signals
at all times. From Cape York skrted the shore as
closely safe navigation would permit. This also
star Bay
ION Aug IS we examined Neithh harbor and skirted
Northumberand Island Being convinced that this was
not the place where the separation Of party the
icO-hOe ana the POlars occurred, continued for
Iapes tdlly ana Ae4audef' ana examined Hartshorne
Bay, AT p m, having passed LittetOn and McGary
Islands. ana feeling quite that this place
we were seeking, We stood well in and lowered about
1--WE discovered, one month and four hours after haY
ing left New-York. camp which, upon examination,
proved 10 nc the one whlch was occupied Dy the crew
OF the POaiis last Winter 1t is occupied by Esdui-
maux. who seem 10 be quite intelligent. From them
learned that hey came from PCnds Bay on hunting
expedition. and found the POars secured the rocks
boats out Of the material taken from the vessel fitted
them with and sails, and about ago,
about the middle of June, they all being WELL had gone
10 the Southwark also that Capt BuddlngtOn, head
man. before he departed told hm, the chief Esquimaux,
that he could have the vessel.
"A gale Of wind came on. Some time after the de-
parture OF the crew the vessel broke adrt Il the
broken hawsersl, and drifting about mile and half
the passage between LttletOn Island and the
aud regretted her loss very much. He went with Lieu
tenantCommander IL. c, White, TO the place, but two
foe about tnem covered II, having doubtless grounded
the wreck which their detention at the spot
O.
AT the camp comfortable wooden !house had been
constructed having in it hunks mattresses, furniture,
galley &c. The natives had two tents made out OF
vas, evidently from the POlars. A rough carpenters
bench with many shayings about IL, was in the camp.
Kinds scattered about the small camp in every
direction, and all III quite bad condition.
caused 10 be brought on board all the manuscript
matter including the mutiated lOgbOOk all the books
which pieces, firearms and broken
The provisions and other stores OF earthly value
aud did not bring them of. carn place of con-
oealment FOR papers and records Was sought for but
none could be found
1.-The weather quite threatening. thick squally,
and showing at times with pack TO the northward
tending FAR the eye could reach Smiths
Sound. At 2:15 Aug 49, stood TO the south
what call Camp POaris is taken from the chart,
in lat 78o 30 north Hong 73' 49, west. AT noon. Aug.
TO- passed Cape York near enough TO have seen signals
found much about 1t end stood for Melville Bay.
Aug. 10, at 2:3O p communicated with Gov. jan
al Tcssuisak; obtained no news. At $3.50 D. ~, an-
chOred at Upenayik Nothing had been heard there Of
the crew the Polaris. Remained at Upernavk
hauling ana repairing machinery until Aug. Z5 at 2
D. NJ when sailed for tnis place. arriving here Aug.
%, at O'Clock p No. being most positively assured in
my own mind that the crew OF the POarls have been
taken Oh board whaler.
The following named vessels known TO have
passed the nOrthward this year. The Aseek or
AJAX OF Dundee the Arctic, believed TO be of Dundee,
and Others whose names have not been able TO
learn aud they tan those that have been spoken)
pected 70 sight Cape York.
have concluded, in accordance with my instructions
from the Department 10 make thorough search for the
crew. 10 the west side Of Davis Straits, srng he
track until We got chance 10 get through. then 10
then return voyage, followed the western shore.
The search VIII be continued long prudence will
Justify taking INTO consideration the condition OF the
ice our supply OF fuel which will be used
omically viii then proceed 20 st. Johns, N f. We
have board 1855 IONS OF coal IeXpect TO sail To-
day. All hands well. Appended 10 a chart showing
the OF the Polaris. Very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant, JAS. A GREER,
4" Commander commanding"