Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-26
NO. ISL.
CAPT. HALLS ARCTIC EYPEDIfION.
Omcial Report Of the Secretary Of sh.
Navy.

Washington, d. c., june 10.
Secretary Robeson has sent the Presi-
dent his report in full of the investigation
of the Polaris matter. He commences by
saying that the statements of all persons
rescued, who could speak or understand
English, except that Of the wife Of Hans
Christian, were taken down, and are now,
together with the diaries kept by some of
the party on the ice, and diary of the
cruise Of the Polaris-the latter kept in
German by Hermann Serrons, one Of the
seamen remaining on board. and picked
up on the ice after separation from the
ships being rapidly printed, the bulk Of
them being already in type. Secretary
Robson says it must be clearly understood
that in permitting this publication the de-
partment neither make nor declare any
judgment against Captain Buddington,
who has had no opportunity for defence
or explanation.
The facts show that though he was, per-
haps, wanting in enthusiasm for the grand
object of the expedition, and ut times
grossly lax in discipline. and though he
differed in judgment as to the possibility
safety, and propriety Of taking the ship
further north, yet he is an experienced
and careful navigator, and when not al
fected by liquor, of which none remained
on board at the time OF separation, a safe
and careful commander. The secretary
then gives details. already made public, Of
measures taken by him to send the steam
ers Junata and Tigress to the relief, i.
possible Of the Polaris and the remainder
of her crew. The Tigress he proposes to
purchase and strengthen for the seryic.
required in search in the Arctic regions
Captain Tyson, Esquimau Joe and all the
rescued seamen will accompanying expe
dition, being anxious to rescue their COM
rades and bring out their old ship.
The following is the result of the inves-
tigation and examination OF Captain Ty-
son, Frederick Thayer, Esquinau Joe and
others Of the rescued crew.
The Polaris left Disco on the l7th of
August, 1871, when she parted company
with the Congress, arriving ut Upper Ma
yick next day ut this port took on board
some dogs, seal and dog skins, and a
small quantity of coal. and shipped Hans
IIendrick, or Christian Esquimana {who
had been with Drs. Kane and Hayes), and
wife of Hans and three children IL was
expected that Jenson, who also accompa-
MED Hayes, would join the Polaris at 1es-
>inisac. Leaving Navick. the Polars
touched Tcssinisac and there procured
more dogs and small quantity OF cloth.
ing. But Jenson did not go with il, the
expedition leaving Tessinisac the oath.
She proceeded northward under steam.
passing through Smith sound and kenne.
dy channel, with very little delay or OBJ
struction from ice.
Near Cape Frazier, Captain Hall exam.
med the western shore in a boat to look
for safe interior place, but was unsuc-
cessful in finding one. Clearing Kennedy
Channel in the Polaris. Captain Hail found
himself passing through a large sound in
the precise position of kane's open polar
sea, with bay on the Greenland side.
In this bay the ship subsequently, wintcrcd.
and it received from Captain Hall the
name Of Polaris Bay. Its northern cape
is called Tupton. Pressing On 10 the
northward and passing through the
sound. the ship entered another narrow
channel of about twenty-five or thirty
miles in width, with high land on either
side, and on the 3oth of August obtained
the highest northern latitude, declared
onds north, but afterward found by care.
ful calculation of Mr.. Myers to be in 81
degrees l6 seconds north, and at this
highest point the Polaris was still in the
new strait or channel which she had dis
covered, and which Captain Hall named
Robeson Straits, after the present secre.
tary of the navy.
Here the ship was met by heavy iioat-
ing ice, extending nearly across the straits,
and barring her further progress north
ward After making unsuccessful efforts
to find Il way through tho ice, Captain
Hall, in "a boat, examined small harbor
on the eastern side OF the strait for winter
quarters this being found unsuitable. was
named Refuse Harbor. After mourning
imminent risks, the ship became fairly
beset in these straits, and driited with the
ice to the southwark, out OF them tn laii-
tude 81 degrees so seconds north, when
the pack opening the Sd of September shr
steamed to the eastward. and found her
winter quarters in small cove or bend of
the coast, protected by stranded icebergs.
On the east side of Polaris Bay, in lati-
tude 81 degrees So minutes north, longi-
tude 81 degrees A minutes west to The
cove, Captain Hall gave the name OF
"Thank God Harbor,' calling the iceberg
PrOvinceberg. ba
At midniget, 30th OF September, 1871,
Captain Hall landed with a boat on the
east shore OF Polaris Harbor, and IN the
name of God and the President Of the
United States, raised the American alag
in the land he had discovered. On one
OCCASION while beset in Robeson Straits.
the Polaris seemed to be in such danger
of being crushed that provisions We're
placed upon the ice and measures taken
10 be in readiness for leaving her, hut she
happily escaped without injury. lmme-
diately after securing his ship in winter
quarters, Captain Hall made preparations
for a sledge journey northward. and other
work was commenced by landing and
setting up the observatory, getting scien-
tific observations under way, surveying
the harbor, cleaning up ship, and making
snug for winter quarters.
On the 10th OF October, Captain Hall
left the Polaris, accompanied by Mr.. Ches-
ter, the first mate, and Esquimaux Joe
and Hans, with two slcdges and fourteen
dogs. Setting out on his expedition, the
first step taken by Captain Hall fell upon
land more northern than white mans foot
had ever before touched. In progress OF
| the Journey, unhappily the last that Cap