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

HE AnS1tC E21 LVhEhSs
Aardships, Privatious and sufFerings
OF the PORaris Crew-~An Interesting
account from Captain Buddington's
PARTY.
rhe New York TTibu,ses cable dispatch
from Dundee, Scotland, Sept. 18th, says
the whaling steamer Arctic, Capt. Adams,
had arrived at that port from Davis Straits,
having on board the Polaris expedition,
who were picked up by the whaler Ravens
craig on the Goth of July. The men are
all well, and show no marks of emaciation
such as might have been expected after
their terrible experience. The following
NARRATIVE OF INCIDENTS
that occurred after the separation OF the
crew is gathered from a conversation with
teveral of the party.
The Polaris had been leaking badly be-
sore the 10Th of October, 1872, and her sit
nation ultimately became so alarming that
It was deemed advisable to make prepara-
ions to abandon her. The determination
to leave the ship was arrived at on the 18th
Of October, at which time they were in lat
itude 79 Some of the crew remained
aboard, while others landed on the ice,
and they began to get out stores, with the
intention of taking everything they could
need for long sojouIn in those frozen
regions. Between 10 and II O'Clock at
night, while this work was proceeding, a
very severe gale sprang up and snow be-
gan to fall heavily, with strong but varia-
Bile wind. Operations, however, continued,
and after untiring efforts, boats were got
dpon the ice and large supply of pro-
visions taken out. Suddenly the hawsers,
by which the ship was made fast to the ice,
gave way, one swapping, and the other
tearing its anchor from its lodging on the
ice. This was about midnight. The an
char in starting, tore off q large piece
from the tioe with three men upon it, and
as the Polaris drove past them they
cried out in an agony of terror,
What are we to do?'' Captain Bud
iington shouted back that he could
not do anything for them. They had
BOATS and provisions. and must shift for
themselves as best they could. [Note-
These men were saved with the Tyson
party.1 A few minutes later those on the
Polaris saw a boat launched, and manned
~ three men, making for place where
their comrades were stationed. In short
time storm and darkness shut out every
object from their view; the feelings of the
men can be imagined, as with half the
crew left to perish, as they supposed, in a
desert of ice and snow. The ship drifted
away helpless, till at last she brought up
at life-boat cove. The prospect was now
gloomy enough. There seemed to be
little prospect of their regaining the Po-
laris.
THE POLARIS ABANDONED.
She still leaked fearfully, and in her
damaged condition, Buddington had no
hope of getting any further south with
her. 1t was. therefore, determined to
beach her, but the question was how that
could be done. The wind being favorable,
al opening in the pack was finally discov-
cred, and the ship was bored through I'M
der canvas. Everything apparently IA
Vored the work, but though the ship was
only few miles from. shore, it took twelve
hours to do it. The next consideration
was how to provide for the shelter of the
men on shore. All timber from between
the decks was corn out, the provisions
were deposited on the ice, the coal was re-
moved, and everything useful was secured.
The walls of house were then built OF
heavy planlls jointedto exclude the wind,
and the roof was made of sail. In such q
home
THE LONG WINTER
was passed. Some help was received from
three Esquimaux, who discovered the
wrecked ship and agreed, for a few paltry
presents, to convey provisions over the ice
from the vessel. They gave still more
valuable aid by supplying skins for cloth
ing. of which the crew was greatyIin need,
for many of their clothes were worn out
and many more were lost. When. the YES
sci broke away on the night of the 10TH
the Esquimaux had plenty ,and though they
Wore filthy-smelling garments, the cast
aways gladly adopted full EsquimauH
costumes of fur trowsers, caps, hats
and bootS. Throuuh the long dreary win.
ter the men kept up! their spirits remarka.
bly,. The snow fell heavily, but 1t served
to protect their frail Ghabitation, and make
it more comfortable. Their arrangement;
were so complete that no visit to the shiT
was necessary before January 9th, wher
they went for supply of wood. Fresf
water was obtained in abundance by col
lecting pieces of icebergs and melting
them. Toward the end of the winter
Chester suggested that some means shoulC
be agreed on to extricate the party from
their perilous position. The provision:
we're gradually diminishing, and the fuel
of which only six tons had been obtained
from the ship, was nearly exhausted. The
Poiaris was still available for timber, anC
it was now proposed to build two boats
A survey by Chester showed that the lin
ing of the cabin could be used,l and thi;
was accordingly stripped off.
BUILDING BOATS.
During the spring months. with tn,
thermometer at tWenty-three degrees be
low zero, and often in a binding drift
the building of boats went on. The situa
ton grew daily more discouraSing, bu
work was never relaxed, and the courag,
of the men never failed. Advancing steadi
lHvf fi1eaa IL,