Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-09
THE POL4RLS EXPEDITION.

The United States steamer Frolic with the
the Navy Yard in Washington on Thursday.
The Frolc is a paddle-wheel steamer of the
fourth rate, carrying nine guns, and was de-
tailed by the Secretary fthe Navy to proceed
to st. John and bring Capt. Tyson of the
Polaris and his party to Washington. A cor.
respondent Of the Tribune says:
As soon as the vessel arrived the Comman-
dant of the Navy Yard teiegraphed to Secre-
tary Robson the fact, and about . ID o'clock
the Secretary, in company with Commodore
VIM. Reynolds, Chief of the Bureau of Equip
ment and Recruiting, drove to the Navy
Yard. The Frolic was anchored out in the
river alongside the Tallapoosa. Secretary
Robson went on board the latter vessel, and
Immediately sent for Capt Tyson of the Po-
!aris. That gentleman soon made his appear
ance, and was invited by the Secretary into
the cabin of the Tal!apoosa, where an inter
view of over an hour was held. The Secre-
tary inquired, first of all, about the condition
of the survivors, and was gratited to learn
that they were all in good health and had en-
tirely recovered from the fatigues and hard
ships of their long trip in the the Arctic re-
gions. It was not the purpose of Mr.. Robe
son to do more to day than merely welcome
Capt. Tyson and his comrades. and to see
that all their wants were promptly met. The
conversation was, therefore, of q general
character about the Poaris, her trip, and the
death of Capt Hall
1t appears that Messrs Tyson and Hall
were devoted friends, and the former spoke
| in the highest terms of the latter. He said he
was an efficient and able commander, and he
| is of opinion that he died natural death from
| apopleXy. With regard to the Polaris, Capt.
Tyson informed the Secretary that she was
in every respect seaworthy vessel, ana gave
instances of his contests with ice5crgs which
showed that had she not been more than
usually strong, she would have been destroy
ed. The question of the suspected mutiny
on board the Polaris was left for another oc
casion, the Secretary desiring to proceed
with the investigation in more formal man.
ner. During the interview, Mr.. Robson re-
marked that the Polaris would probably not
be seen again. Capt Tyson replied: "Oh,
yes, she will She will be here before the
close of Summer" The captain then pro.
ceeded to show that at the time he and his
| party left the Polaris she was comparatively
in good condition, and there was nothing to
prevent her from coming home. His theory
is that she probably remained where they
parted with her until the close of the Arctic
Winter, and would then make for the United
States. There was nothing in the converse
ton of Capt. Tyson to indicate that there had
been mutiny on board the Polars prior to
the time he and his party left her. There was
some characterization among some of the COM
mon seamen, but nothing of consequence, and
it was easily subdued.
Secretary Robson will visit the Frolic to-
morrow, and will institute court of inquiry,
to be composed of naval officers. This will
be conducted in the regular way, the wit
nesses to be sworn and their testimony taken
down. 1t is the intention of the Secretary to
publish the whole story as soon as the evil
dence is completed. In the mean time the
whole party will remain on board the Frolic,
and no outsiders will be allowed to visit the
shin