The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-10-18

end Of June, determined to push south
ward. Just at this moment, when every
thing was in readiness, thev were alarmed
by the appearaI Ice of scurvy. Happily,
however, the attack proved slight, and
plentiful supply Of walrus liver, which
they obtained from the Esquimaux, ena-
bled them to avert the disease. When the
boats were launched they leaked a good
deal. but the men determined to trust them,
and, slowing aboard all their remaining
provisions and ammunition, they said
FAREWELL TO LIFR-BoAr COVE.
themselves excellent sailors and remarks
voyagers reached Sontag Bay. After re-
maing there a short time to regain their
strength, the party made for Hakluyt
Island, where the expedition was brought
to stand-still by a tremendous gale which
blew for three 1all days, with continuous
fall ofsnow for Rl that time. Flocks of auks,
bird .ofthe peEguin species, were encoun-
tered here, however, and as the men could
easily take up their guns and kill ten of
them at shot, there was q plentiful sup
ply of fresh provisions, which were very
thankfully received. Occasionally their
tiny crafts were sadly beset. and it was
feared they would come to grief, but they
were among ice, and there was nothing
to be done but force a. passage southwark
at all hazards. After enduring <many pri-
vatioIis, and encountering perils from
which their escape seemed almost miracu-
lous, they succeeded at Last, through great
exertions, in reaching Cape Perry.
A few miles below the cape, at FitZ
Clarissa Rock, an encampment was made
everyinight. When the labors of the day
were over the boats were hauled up on
foe, and everything taken out and the only
hot meal of tlse day was prepared. The
implements employed in cooking were of
the most prihitive character. Each boat
carried a qual ltity of the rigging of the
Polaris and can of oil (; with these a fire
was made in the bottom of an old bucket;
tea was the only thing that could be made
with such apparatus. They state that the
privations they suffered were not serious.
The life was rough, laborious and mono
tonous but though dangers occasionally
presented themselves well calculated to in
spireI the greatest fear, no serious accident
occurred, and on the 2lst of June the
boats
REACHED CAPE YORK IN SAFETY.
Here they were again closely beset with
ice. On the 23d their troubles came to an
end. A whaler was deserted a few miles
off, and the whole party was at once in a
turmoil OF excitement (; a great seemed
to take possession of them all at once,
that the ship might go before they could
make themselves seen, and they put forth
every effort to push through the ice
without delay. The vessel proved to
be the Ravenscraig, of Dundee, Cap
tain Allan. She soon saw their signals,
and Captain allan sent a crew to their as
sistance and tkok them on board with their
effects and onk of their boats, thesother be
ing left behinii. Captain Allan : tfsaffekI
them they all SAY, in the kindest and most
generous manner. Subsequently, in or
der that the whaling operations might not
be interrupted, Allan shipped some of the
Polaris crew on the Arctic. The latteryes-
sci completed her seasons work earlier
than had been expected, and knowing that
the crew of the Polaris were anxious to
return home, Capt. Adams searched for
the Ravenscraig and took on board MEM
bers of the party who had been left with
her, except tsree, who had previously been
transferred II the Intrepid. These three
were r. WI D. Byron, astronomer and
chaplain j. IB. Maunch. seaman, and Jno.
w. Booth, fireman. The Intrepid is ex-
pecttu HOHlt III IL lew NeehS. Liz CISoCuCo
sailors say that when they were picked up
they had bread enough for one month, but
it was the general opinion among them
that they would not have succeeded in
reaching settlement. Chester, however,
who is spoken of in the highest terms of
praise by every one of his companions,
has. no doubt whatever that they would
have without any assistance.
CAPTAIN HALL
was regarded as peculiarly adapted for the
great enterprise under his charge, and all
lament his untimely end. As to the state
ment that the ship might have aided the
party on the ice, all agree that it was i'm
possible, aftsr the Polaris broke adrift, to
| learn even she whereabouts of those left
behind. livery effort was made to find
them, but tt no avail.