New Orleans Republican., 1873-06-22


and from the circumstances detailed, that
the separation Of The ship from the men,
women and children upon the ice-fiOe was
purely accidental After losing sight of the
ship some of the men and q large part OF
the provisions were found to be af1oat on a
separate piece of ice. The men were res
cued by means of boats which had fortun-
ately been saved on the ice, and the party
were thus collected on the main ttOe, and
passed the night as well as could be ex-
pected. Next day they made several at
temp,s to reach land with the boats, but
failed. notwithstanding their most persist
ent efforts, owing TO the obstruction of the
ice and violent wind. While thus striv-
ing to get on shore, but at what particular
time of the day has not been exactly as
certained, the Polaris came in sight to
northward, apparently coming toward the
tiOes under steam and sail.
An india-rubber blanket was hoisted IN
the air and displayed from the top of a
hammock, the culors were set, and other
signals were made to attract the attention
of the Polaris, and as she approached so
near them that they plainly saw her down
to her rail, and could distinguish her escape
pipe, and kept on towards them until they
supposed her to be not more than four miles
Of They felt sure she would force her way
through the ice 20 their position, and that
IN a little while they would be again on
board. In this they were disappointed. The
POlaris altered her course and disappeared
behind the shore. Some time afterward, as
the foe drifted away, she was again seen by
some men under the land with her sails
furled and apparently at anchor, or made
fast to the shore or the ice. Its most likely
that the party on the ice was seen from the
Polaris. The hut erected on the foe, the
ships boats. the colors, the elevated signal
blanket and the group of nineteen persons
standing in relief against white back
ground, could scarcely have remained un-
noticed. 1t was natural, under these cir
the ice should have felt deeply
disappointed at the failure Of the ship to
come to their relief, and should at the same
time have ascribed it to Overcaution, If not
Indifference, rather than inability on the
part of her responsible commander. Neither
is it unnatural that this feeling, fostered
during the weary watches OF their long
winter upon the ice, should remain to affect,
in a greater or less degree, their present
Judgment on the subject. But it must not
be forgotten that they Ike ourselves, were
and are without full information of the
actual condition Of the Polaris at the time
spoken OF, and can not know how far the
real dangers Of their position were under
stood and appreciated by those on board of
her. Such information and knowledge are
absolutely necessary TO a correct Judgment,
and must not be assumed as foundation
Of censure against persons acting under
circumstances so trying and uncertain, who,
by reason of their enforced absence, have
no opportunity for explanation.
1t seems that the actual condition Of the
Pslaris was such as to impose upon her
commander the duty of getting her out
with the lives and property which remained
under his charge at once into position OF
safety under shelter OF NOrthumbe berland
Island, at which place she was last seen by
the party on the foe. If such was the state
Of case, it was the duty of Captain Bud
dingtOn, under such circumstances, to look
to his vessel, particularly as he probably
believed that the party on the ice could, by
the aid of two beats in their possession.
find their way back to the Polaris quite as
easily as he could force his way to them;
but whatever may have been his opinion on
this, the elements quickly determined the
question.
Shortly after the Polaris had been sighted
for the second time, violent gale from the
northeast sprung up. The weather became
thick, the ship and the land we're lost sight
of, and the icetloe drifted away to the
southwark with these nineteen persons still
upon it. In view of the circumstances de-
tailed, it is, therefore, our unanimous judg-
ment that this final separation from the
ship was also accidental. The report next
details the adventures of the party on the
foe till rescued by the Tigress on the last
day OF April. 1873. At the time of their sepa-
ration from the Polaris every one belonging
to the expedition was in good health.
The Polaris had plenty of provisions, but
not much coal-probally enough to last
through the winter. She was last seen
apparently at anchor under Northumber-
land Island, where it is most likely she re-
mained for winter quarters. DR.. Hays
friends, the Esquimaux, are residing on
that island, and the Esquimaux settlement
at Navick is close by. Communication
with these people could be easily opened
and maintained, and no apprehension for
the Polaris, or in the absence Of accident or
sickness, for those On board is entertained
by any rescued persons. AS to the ques
ton whether ship can make her way to
the Danish settlement, at the upper Navick
or Disco, without steam, if she gets free
from ice this season. supposing her to be in
as good condition when rescued as when
the party was last on board. the witnesses
differ in their judgment SO far. but the
opinion is that she will need assistance to
bring her completely and safely out.
On board the Polaris are specimens Of
bay and POlarls bay. among which Myers
thought he recognized distinctly the wal
nut. the ash and the pine. Among the
numerous facts that appear to be elected
on examination we may mention as one Of
much interest that the dip Of the needle
amounted to 45o. and its deviation 96o, be-
ing less than at Faulke's and Rennsellar's
harbor. as given by DR.. Kane and DR..
Hayes. The rise and fall of the tide were
carefully observed, the average being about
five and half feet. The greatest depth of
water noted about one hundred fathoms.
The existence Of constant current south
ward was noticed by the expedition, its
rapidity varying with the season and To-
cality. The winter temperature was found
to be much milder than was expected, the
minimum being So below zero in January,
although March proved to be the coolest
month. The prevailing winds were from
the northeast, although there were OCCASION
ally tempests from the southwest. High
winds were noticed. however. from all
points of the compass. Rain was occa-
sionally observed only on the land, how.
ever. the PRECIPITATION presenting itself over
the ice in the form of snow.
During the summer the extent Of lands
and elevations were bare of snow and ice.
excepting patches here and there in the
shape OF rocks. The soil during this period
was covered with more or less dense vege-
tation OF moss, with which several Arctic
plants were inters persed. some of them Of
considerable beauty. but entirely without
scent, and many small Willows. scarcely
reaching the dignity Of shrubs, and the
rocks noticed were of schistOse or slate
nature, and in some instances contained fos-
sill plants, specimens Of which were col
lected. Distinct evidences of former gla-
ciers seen in localities. the indications
consisting in terrennial and lateral mar
dimes. Animal life was found to abound,
musk oxen being shot at intervals through
ou. the winter Geese. ducks and other
wafer fowls. including plover and other
wading birds. abounded during summer.
cnociaS of land hirla 1pnro