New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-06
THE POLARIS EXPEDITION.
DEPARTURE OF THE CREW FROM DUNDEE


CAUSE OF DR. HALLS DEATH-sCENEs AT THE
RAILROAD DEPOT
tyRoS AN OCCASIONAL ooRREspoSDExr OF THE TRBuxEl
DUNDEE. Sept. 23.-The crew of the Polaris have
been the heroes of the town since their arrival
among us. The greatest curiosity has been excited
by their movements Occasionally crowds have
followed them as they walked through the town,
and at all times the respect and consideration
exhibited toward them have been peculiarly crafty
ing The hero of the lot has been Mr.. Chester
The sympathy which has been awakened on
his behalf has been of the most hearty kind, and
this has been aroused chiefly in consequence Of the
great exertions he made to the Of the
party. Even his own comrades regard him with
feelings Of admiration, and all ready TO admit
that, but for the ingenuity and skill which he dis
played in constructing the boats, the never
could have expected to quit their Winter quarters.
He is a splendid, manly fellow. of commanding
appearance and frank and affable manner, and by
not few his society has been courted.
A good deal of surprise has been created in cOnse
-quence of the absence of any trace in the men of
their long sojourn in the Polar regions All of them
hearty and fresh looking that one would sup
pose that instead Of having been confined for
months the shores of Melville Bay. they had been
living in luxurance in a congenial Icimate. There
has been the greatest avdiy to obtain the minutes
particulars respecting the death Of Capt. Hall. The
only person able TO furnish the necessary informa-
ton was of course DR.. Bessel. Accordingly took
the opportunity on Saturday of visiting the Doctor
DIR. BeSsel expressed his dissemination to speak
about things on which he might be examined after
ward in New-York He said he had charge of the
scientific department of the expedition when the
expedition arrived at the Winter quarters the OBJ
serVatOry was set up and observations begun. There
were meteorological, astronomical, geological ZOO
logical botanical, and tidal Complete geological
collections were made. There were also botanical
and geological great many fossils were col
iected. Two boxes of them were brought away,
but the greater portion was, unfortunately lost
on the occasion of the separation Of the crew.
When they were obliged 10 leave the vessel they
were unable TO bring away many of those things.
There was q complete survey of the coast line
made but it was only as far as means permitted.
The tidal observations made hourly and
oftener on special occasions and they were kept up
during the whole time, even after the ship was
abandoned so far as the instruments permitted.
Some instruments were lost and some had to be
made in their stead The observations were con-
tinued even on the whalers. and the expedition was
greatly indebted TO the masters of the Ravenscraig
and Arctic, who supplied all the facilities in their
power. The observations were not interrupted until
the North Sea was reached.
In reply TO an inquiry whether he attempted any
expedition after he left the POlaris and built the
habitation on the shore in which to winter, Dr.
Bessel replied that an attempt was made to reach
depot of provisions at Poaris Bay and to proceed
thence northward to examine the state of the ice.
This attempt failed, in consequence Of the insult
ficiency of means The ice being little rough, it
was necessary to get natives TO drive the sleighs.
The crew were on good terms with the natives, but
the natives did not like this sort Of work and de-
serted three times, so at last it necessary 10
abandon the enterprise DR.. Bessel remarked that
he could give particular account of the nature Of
the scientific discoveries which were made; he had
most of the papers relating TO these subjects but he
did not think that 1t would be interesting generally.
The animal and vegetable specimens which were
procured had peculiarities not previously known.
The crew were at part of the world never before
reached, and as may be supposed many new things
were disclosed.
In regard to the manner in which the expedition
was conducted under Capt Hall. Dr. Bessel was I'M
willing to give me his opinion the subject adding
1t NAV be that formal inquiry viii take place at
New-York with the view of ehciting all the facts
connected with the expedition, and / therefore do
not consider that should say ANYTHING on the mat
ter now Ihave my own opinion on the whole mat
ter but ! would decline positively in the meantime
TO say what it is / don't east reflections on any
body; but don't, at the same time. think that 1t
would be proper in Inc TO gointO such aquesuonnow"
In regard to the stories that have been circulated
respecting the death of Capt Hall DR. Bessel said ::
81 know that there have been great many
stories. and can assure you that we all sur
prsed regarding the one about poisoning" asked
him to describe to me the symptoms which Capt.
Hall evnced before his death. He refused, saying,
eff were TO tell you all about that II could only be
iptelHgible TO medical men, and therefore decline"
Then Doctor asked. would you have any OBJ
lection to say what in your opinion, was the cause
of death ~ " / believe il apopeXy," he said.
In reply to my remark that had heard somebody
say that there had been sufiusion of blood on the
brain Dr. Bessel said "Well, that is one symptom
of apOplexy"
Returning to the primary object of the expedition,
Dr. Besse said he thought that the results attained
are of such importance as materially TO advance
science. He contemplated continuing the prosecu-
zion of the expedition Immediately before the loss of
the Polaris We would have done our best TO ac-
complish the objects which contemplated when
II was fitted out" Regarding the efficiency Of the
Polaris for the service 10 which she was engaged,
the Doctor said she was strong ship and did very
well but she had not sufficient capacity for carrying
coal.
Ineyer before witnessed such a scene of excite
ment was presented at the Dundee railway sta
ton last night. on the occasion Of the departure
of the Polars crew for America. Many humid
reds Of persons crowded the building AL
anxious 10 get glimpse of the brave Tel
lows who had risked much and done SO
much in the Polar Seas The train was to depart at
a o'clock and few minutes before that Mr.. Ches-
ter, leaning on the arm of Capt. Adams of the
Arctic, passed along the platform. Hundreds
shook him cordially by the hand, and
,p other WAYS the favor with which he