The New York herald., 1873-09-25
Confirmation of the HeraId's
Account.
Camp Polaris, in Latitude 78 Deg. %
Min. North and Lon. 70 Deg.
46 Min. West.
THE MUTILATED LOGBOOK.
Course Of the TigrrSS After Leaving LittIetOn
Island in Search of WhalerS.


Department to-day
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP TIGREss, J
OFF GODHAvN, ISLAND OF DISCO,
August 25 1878. }
Hon. G. M. Robson, Secretary OF the Navy Wash
ington, d. Co.
SIR have the honor to report that this vessel
sailed from Upernavik North Greenland, on Au
gust IL, 1873, at ten minutes past five p NJ, Dam
sh pilot being on board, ana at quarter to twelve
p NJ. arrived at Tessuisak. On approaching the
anchorage, and while forging ahead slowly, the
engine caught on centre.
AN ACCIDENT.
We let go the anchor, but failing TO bring the
vessel up, she ran slightly upon o smooth
rock, but backed Off in a few minutes
No damage done. Governor Jansen came
board, having no Information. We accepted
his services as pilot to clear US OF the islands
August IL, at five minutes before two A. NJ
| stopped and communicated with the Juniata steam
| launch but obtained no information about the
| Polars. At q quarter before two A. NJ. dis
charged the pilots parted company with the
steam launch and stood to the northward August
49, at ten A. NJ, passed Cape York. Heavy pack
ice prevented getting very close yet were near
enough to clearly observe any signals that might
have been made.
BRIGHT LOOKOUT
was kept at all times. From Cape York skirted
the shore as closely as safe navigation would per-
NIT This was also done upon our return. At
nine p. NJ we examined North Star Bay On Au-
gust IA we examined Nethh Harbor and skrted
Northumberland Island. Being convinced that this
was not the place where the separation OF the
party on the ice foe and the Polaris occurred, we
continued on for Capes Parry and Alexander; ex-
amined Hartsteine Bay.
DISCOVERY THE CAMP
At nine p. NJ, having passed Littleton and
| McGary Islands, and feeling quite that this
was the place we were seeking, stood well IN and
lowered about-discovered, one month and four
| hours after having left New York, a camp which,
| upon examination, proved to be the which
was occupied by the crew Of the Polaris last win
ter. 1t Is now occupied by EsqumauX, WHO seem
to be quite intelligent From them learned that
they came from Ponds Bay hunting expedi-
tion, and found the Poaris secured to the rocks,
the crew being ashore, and that they had built two
boats out of material taken from the vessel. fitted
| them with oars and sails, and about one moon or
| SO ago, or
WHEN THE DUCKS BEGAN TO HATCH
| which, think, was about the middle OF June they
all being well, had gone to the southward; aso that
Captain Buddington, the head man before he de-
parted, told him, the chief Esquimau, that he
could have the vessel. gale of wind came
| Some time after the departure of the crew the
vessel broke adrft Il saw the broken hawsers), and
drifting about mile and a half towards the pas
sage between Littleton Island and the
man land, sunk. The native said he saw
| her 90 down and regretted his loss
very much. He went with Lieutenant Commander
II. c. White to the place, but two small (compara-
| lively speakng) icebergs, with heavy foe about
them, covered 1t, having, doubtless, grounded
the wreck, which caused their detention at the
spot, there were from seven to eleven athoms OF
water around it. At the camp
A COMFORTABLE WOODEN HOUSE
had been constructed, having in 1t hunks, mat
tresses, furniture, galley, &c. The natives had
two tents made out OF canvas, evidently from the
Polaris. rough carpenters bench, with many
shavings about it, was in the camp Provisions,
Instruments books AMI stores OF various kinds
were scattered about the small camp in every di-
rection, and all in quite bad condition. caused to
be brought on board all the manuscript matter, in
Guiding
A MUTILATED LOG BOOK,
all the books which were not torn to pieces some
firearms and broken Instruments, the ships bell
and some medical stores. The provisions and
other stores were of no earthly value, and I did
not bring them Of. cavern or place OF conceal
ment for papers and records was sought for but
could not be found. The weather was quite threat
ening-thick, squaly and showing at tlmes-with
eye could reach, across Smith Sound. At quarter
past two A. NJ, on August 10, stood to the south
ward, keeping lookout for the people. The posi-
ton OF what call
CAMP PoLARIs
is as taken from the chart, in LATITUDE IS deg %
min. north, longitude 70 deg. 40 min west At
noon, August 16, passed Cape York near enough
to have seen signals found much ice about it, and
stood for Melville Bay, August 10, at 2 80 p. M.
Communicated with Governor Jansen at Tessuisak
obtained no news. At o 80 p. NJ anchored at Uper
navik. Nothing had been heard there OF the crew
of the Polaris. Remained at Upernavik, overhaul
ing and repairing machinery, till August %, at
p. M when we sailed for this place, arriving here
August IS at O'Clock A. Ms being most post
lively assured in my own mind that the crew OF
the Polaris have been
TAKEN ON BOARD wHALER.
The following named vessels are known to have
passed to the northward this year, namely THE
Aseek, or Ask, OF Dundee; the Arctic, believed to
be OF Dundee, and seven others, whose names
have not been able to learn, and they (all those
that have been spoken) expected to sight Cape
York. / have concluded, in accordance with my
instructions from the department, to make a thor
ougn search for the crew, to go
TO THE WEST SIDE OF DAVIS STRAITS.
skirtng the pack, until We get chance to get
through; then to work TO the northward in search
OF the whalers, who, on their return voyage fol-
| lowed the western shore. The search will be con-
tinued as long prudence will justify taxing into
| consideration the condition of the Ice and our
supply OF fuel, which will be used economically
| / will then proceed to st. Johns Newiounuianu'
We have now on board l55 tons OF coaI. eAPeos "
- to-day. Ali hands are well. Appended s
.rt showing the course Of the Poaris' very
respectfully, your obedient servant
JAMES A. GREER
rommandor commanding.