Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-03
THE POLARIS EXPEDITION.

A Dundee despatch to the London papers
gives more full particulars of the Polaris ex-
petition than had previously been given.
Capt. Baddington publishes long statement,
covering the whole voyage. He says Capt.
Hall died of spoplexy. After describing the
separation from Tyson's party he continues:
We were now in critical condition, with
out boats, anchors, or hawsers, but there was
no time for reflection, as the water was gain.
ing fast, and would soon reach the furnace
fires, in spite Of the bilge- pump, which was
all this time At work, assisted BY the ailev.
way pump; and If we could not start the deck
pumps II was evident that the vessel would 20
down. The ice around US was fine broken
slush, which would not bear the weight of
man. BY this time the water in the boiler
was hot, and by pouring several bucketfuls
down the pumps we lhawed them sufficiently
90 ~ to enable US to keep the water from
gaining, and never did men use their strength
with more energy than we did on that occa.
sion. Twas evident we could not last long
At the work, but fortunately just then the en-
gineers reported steam up, by which addition
81 AID We were enabled to keep her afoat. On
the morning of the 10th we found our posi-
ton few miles north of Littleton Island, in
Smiths Straits. We had drifted abreast of
Sunderland Island, at the end of Baffin's Bay.
during the night. The gale had then sub.
sided, and it was shortly afterwards quite
calm. We looked from the masthead of our
vessel for our companions on the foe, but
could not see anything of them whatever.
The current must have taken them in differ
ent direction from the course the wind took
NJ. About noon breeze sprung up from the
north, and opening a lead in shore to the
east, the vGDsel at this time began drifting out
of the straits again. By the aid of steam and
sail / took advantage of the lead when opened
vide enough to admit me, and ran the vessel
~ near shore ~ the ice would admit, and
made fast with lines to heavy grounded hum
mocks. Here we were aground at low water,
there being nine feet rise of tide at this place,
which happened to be Kanes Lifeboat Cove,
lat. 70 deg. 20 IL NJ, long. 70 deg. Fl w.
We kept an anxious lookout all the time
from the masthead of our vessel for signs of
the party, but the sharpest eyes on shipboard
failed to see ausht of them. As, however,
they had the boats, even to the little scow !,
We were in hopes they would possibly be able
yet to make for Us. On the l7th l surveyed
the ship, and found the stem entirely broken
of below the six foot mark. called the off,
GERS attention to it, who only wondered she
had kept afoat so long. / therefore consid-
cred the Polaris lost vessel, and Immediate
ly made preparations for leaving her, and
living on shore during the winter, getting our
spare sails, Goals, and provisions on shore.
We were assisted in this by the Etah Esqui-
maax, who camn to us the day after we got
ashore. When these Esquimaux hove in
sight, gesticulsting and hallooing with great
apparent glee, We took them to be our cast.
swsys, and Immediately cheered most he artily
10 return. We put up = house on shore
which Was superintendent by Mr.. Chester,
those not engaged in building it being occu'
pied getting provisions and fuel, which thsy
did WIN : great deal Of difficulty, as they had
70 leap from one detached piece of ice to an, AN.
other all the way to the shore. Often son,o
ofshe party would tumble through assures and
get wet, which was a great Inconvenience
considering the insufficient supply Of on,
wardrobe furnished for change. On the
morning Of the 2lst we had q number Of rs.
quimsux visitors. They came in five sledees.