Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-24
THE POLARIS.

The feeling of disgust and anger that
TOOK possession of the minds of the
American people when the sensation
stories were published of the desertion
by Capt. Buddington and the Polaris, of
that portion of her crew that had sought
safety upon the ice foe, has given way to
one OF anxiety for the safety OF the men
VINO are now wandering among the ice
bergs, unless they have already died
from exposure and want. 1t appeared,
as the tale was told, that the abandon
ment of Capt. Tyson and the helpless
people who were with him, by their
ship, was heartless in the extreme, and
even implications were made that the
death of Capt. Hall, the commander of
the expedition, was foul murder in
the interests Of Buddington. But upon
the investigation ordered by the govern
ment, Capt. Tyson and Sergeant Meyer
went upon the stand and testified that
there was the best of dicipline on board
the POlaris, and entire unanimity among
the officers and crew to proceed north
ward; that the ship was iammed in
among the ice, and it was momentarily
expected that she would be broken up,
and all were at work in the greatest har-
mony to carry provisions from the YES
sci when the ship separated from the
foe and left the party to brave the perils
of an Arctic winter upon floating ice.
Capt. Tyson having relieved the men,
Ory OF his comrades who escaped in the
POlaris of the Odium that was attached
to them, set to work to ascertain what
had become Of the Polaris and her crew
who happened to be aboard at the time
she parted from the ice. The gallant
little steamer Tigress that so oppertune-
ly rescued him and his party, was ac-
COrdingly Ovcrhauled aud reftted for a
cruise in the arctic circle in search of
the staunch little craft that months ago
sailed amid the thunder of cannon with
Capt Hall to his far northern grave, and
on Tuesday the Tigress steamed from
NV York harbor on her mission Of
mercy. She now sails under the Unit
ed States flag, commanded by United
States officers and manned by American
sailors, and wc anticipate that her mis-
sion will he crowned with remarkable
success.
We are glad that the Tigress was Sc
lectcd for this service. She won for her
self the first place in the history of the
Polaris expedition by her rescue of the
ice-Aoe heroes, and it is an additional
honor that she is appointed to do this
supplemental service.
The Tigress is now commanded by
Capt Greer. Capt. Tyson accompanies
the expedition. and there is full com
plement of officers and men. Seven Es-
| quimaux also sail in the vessel for their
northern homes.
1t is expected that the Tigress will ac-
complish her object and be ready TO re-
turn in October, but unless she returns
then she must winter in the frigid zone.
and will only return after the lapse of
sixteen months.
The wharves and shipping were filled
with spectators and interested friends of
the brave men, who left their homes on
an errand of mercy for the dark regions
of the North, and no vessel has left our
shores for many year that carried with
her so many kind feelings, and in whose
purpose so many hearts beat in unison.
May the hand Of Omnipotence guide her
on her way, and when she returns with
the rescued survivors of Captain Halls
party, we shall desire a long time to
elapse before we hear of another Polar
expedition.