The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-10-23
TIE STORY OF CAPT. BUDD
INGTON'S MEN.

hcnon combines more OF tile element
of romance than the story of the Bud
ldington party of the Polaris, as it i
simply related by correspondent Q
the New York Tribune:
The Polaris had been leaking bad
\ ly before the 18th Of October, 1872
and her situation ultimately becam
SO alarming that it was deemed ad
vlsable to make preparations to aban
don her. The determination to leave
the ship was arrived at on the 18Th
of October, at which time they were
in LAT. IS 2. Some Of the crew re
manned aboard, while others landed
on the ice and they began to get on,
stores, with the intention of taking
everything they could need for a long
sojourn In these frozen regions. Be
tween 10 and II o'clock at night,
while this work was proceeding, a
very heavy gale sprang up. and the
snow began to fall heavily, with
strong but variable winds. Opera
tons, however, were continued, and
after untiring efforts, the boats were
got upon the ice and the provisions
taken out. Suddenly the hawsers
BY which the ship was made fast to
the ice gave way lone swapping, the
other tearing its anchor from It's lodge
ment in the ice. This was about
midnight. The anchor in starting
tore off a large piece from he fos
with three men upon it, and as the
Polaris drove past them, they cried
out in an agony of terror, g What
are we to do ?" 4
Capt. Buddington shouted back
that he could do nothing for then. );
the hay boats and provisions, and
must shift for themselves as best they
could. A few minutes later those on
the Po.aris saw boat launched and
manned by the three men, making
for the place where their comrades
were stationed. In short time, the
storm and darkness shut out every
object from their view.
There seemed to be little prospect
OF their remaining in the Polaris she
still leaked feartuly and in her
damaged condition, Buddington had
no hope Of getting any further south
with her 1t was therefore determin-
ed to beach her. but the question w4s
how that could be done. The wind
being favorable, an opening in the
pack was finally discovered, and the
ship was bore / through under canvas.
Everything apparently favored the
work. but though the ship was only
few miles from shoe, it tooa
twelve hours to get her close
IN. The next consideration was, how
to provide for the shelter of the men
On lore.g All the timbers from be-
tween decks were torn out. Provis-
ions were deposited on he ice. The
coal was removed. Everything use
full was secured. The walls of .
house were then built of heavy
plauks, jointed to exclude the wind
and the roof WAS made of sails, mi
such a home the winter was passed. |
Some help was, received from three
Esquimaux: who discovered tbs
wrecked ship, and agreed, for few
paltry presents, to convey provisions
over the ice from the vessel. They
gave still more valuable aid by sup
plying skins for clothing, of which |
the crew were greatly in need. |
The Fsquimaux had plenty,
and, though they were filthy smell
ing garments, the castaways gladly
adopted the full Esquimaqx costume
of fur trousers, coats, hats, aud boots,
Through the long, dreary winter,
the men kept up their spirits remark
aOly well. The snow fell heavily,
but it served to protect their fraiI hab
itations and make it more comforta-
bic. Their arrangements were so
complete that no visit to the ship
was necessary before January 9th,
when they went for supply Of wood.
Fresh water was obtained in abun
dance by collecting pieces Of ice
bergs and melting them. Toward