Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-05-15
Halls Arctic Expedition.

Capt. Hall dead, and the Polaris
probably lost.
NEW YORK, May 10.-A dispatch
from ST. Johns, Newfoundland, of May
8, says the steamer Walrus arrived
from the seal fishery at the port of ST.
Johns, this morning, bringing news
that the steamer Tigress had come into
Roberts Bay, eighteen miles from
here, having on BOARD nineteen survi-
vors of Halls Arctic expedition. The
following are the names of the rescued:
H. G. Tyson, A ssistant Navigator;
Fred Meyer, meteorologist; John He
ron, steward; w. G. Kruger, seaman,
Fred Jamka, seaman; VIM. Ninde-
mann, seaman; Fred. Auting, seaman;
Gustavus T. Linguist, seaman; Peter
Johnston, seaman; William Jackson,
cook; Esquimaux Joe, interpreter; Han
nah and child; EsquimauX Hans Chris
tian,- of Kane's expedition; Hans Chris
tian's wife and four children, the young
est only eight months old.
This party, which had been landed
from the Polaris, were driven from her
by gale which burst her moorings, on
the 18th of October, 1872, in latitude
720 So. When they last saw the Pola-
ris she was under steam and canvass,
making for a harb0r on the east side of
Northumberland Island. She had no
more boats left. OF the six which she
brought with her from the port of New
York, two were lost in the northern ex-
pedition, two were landed on the ice
with Capt. Tyson's party, one was burnt
as firewoed to make water for the
crew, and the other is on board the
Tigress.
The Polaris was in command of Capt.
Buddington, who had thirteen of the
crew along with him, and plentiful
stock of provisions. Her how was some
what damaged, and it is the opinion Of
survivors that they will be unable to
get clear until July; and even then, if
the ship is unseaworthy, they should
have to make new boats to effect an
escape.
On the Sth of November, 1871, in lat
itude 80 3S>, longitude 10 AZ, Captain
Hall died of apoplexy, and was buried
on shore, where they erected a wooden
cross to mark his grave. They had re-
Gently returned from northern sledge
expedition, in which he had attained a
usual health, and had called the crew
into the cabin to encourage then with
hope of future! rewards and stimulate
them to renewed eXertions, when he
was suddenly struck down and eXpi-
red, to the great grief of those around,
to whom he had endeared himself by
his kindness and devotion.
In September, 1871, the Polaris en-
tered winter quarters, and left them
Aug. 12, 1872. The ice was very heavy,
and set in southern direction. She
was forced south, and so continued
drifting till Capt. Tyson and party were
driven from her. The sledge party
crossed Kane's Polar Sea, which they
pronounced to be strait, and about
fifteen miles wide. There was an ap-
pearance of open water to the north.
The rescued party suffered very much
during their dreary drift from hunger
and cold. For the last two months
they ate raw seal and polar bear as
they could get it. When met by the
Tigress they showed evident signs OF
their great sufferings, but during the
nine days that they have been on
board, they have improved vastly, and
are now in fair health. The party is
in charge of the United States Consul,
and will arrive at st. Johns on Mon
day next.
The following statement is furnished
by Captain Tyson:
"On the 24th of August, 1871, we left
Tessinask and went through Smiths
Sound. We succeeded in getting as
far north as latitude $50 16>, when we
returned and wintered at Polaris Bay,
latitude SO 3SN. longitude 610 Az. We
were frozen up until the 5th of Sep
tember.
"On the 10th of October Captain Hall
started on sledge journey north, and
returned on the oath, when he was Ia
ken sick and died on the Sth of Novem-
ber. He was buried on the 18th. The
attack that carried him off was said to
be apoplexy. We passed the winter at
Polaris Bay.
Captain Hall leaves a wife and two
children-a daughter and son--who are
living at Cincinnati.
The Polaris is in charge of Capt. Bud
dington. The rescued crew have lived
on few ounces daily, and latterIy on
raw seals, eating skins, entrails and all,
for the past two months, and are ali
in fairly good health. Capt. Tyson
does not expect the Polaris will get
clear before July, if in condition to
come home. There were fourteen left
ON board, with plenty of prOvisions.-i