The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-06-12
From tho New York Herald.


Now commenced the drift from the
18th of October, 1872, to the 30th of
April, 1873, over six months, or 1877
days. Night closed upon the scene last
described. The abandoned party had
fortunately two boats, the'only remain
ing boats belonging to the Polaris.
The gale during the night carried the
floe and its unfortunate occupants to the
southwest, and in the morning they
were about thirty miles from where the
ship was lying comfortably at anchor.
A heavy sea was running, which broke
up the foe and separated the party
from six bags of bread, one Of their
boats and other articles of food, cloth
ing, compasses, etc. When the gale
abated they endeavored to shoot as
many seals as possible for food and
light as we'll as fuel, but did not sue
ceed in getting more than three, owing
to rough weather having set in. When
the weather cleared up the party found
themselves, as they supposed, on the
east coast or west coast of Greenland,
about forty miles from the ship. They
now hoped to reach the shore, but the
ice being weak, they could not trans
port boats and provisions to shore until
it grew stronger. a Fortunately they
here discovered the other boat, pro-
visions, &C., from which they had been
separated, and saved all. The ice at
length grew stronger, and they made
another attempt to reach the shore,
carrying everything IN the boats and
dragging them on their keels. The ice
being exceedingly rough, they stove
both boats, which did not, however,
render them useless. On the 1st of
November they succeeded in getting
about half way to the shore, when
NIGHT AND STORMY WEATHER CAME ON,
And prevented further progress. In
the morning it was found that the ice
was broken and the foe drifting south
very swiftly. No more land was seen
for some days, and bad weather con-
tinued throughout November. Then
giving up all hope of present rescue
they built snow-houses on the ice, re-
conciled to make them their home for
season.
These huts were houses Of snow,
constructed of circular form at the
base, gradually converging toward the
top the sides, surmounted by block
snow, which formed the roof, leaving
small hole for ventilation.
The entrance was small vacuum at
the base, barely large enough for man
to crawl through. Any greater space
would destroy the usefulness OF the
house by allowing access to the cold
and wind. These houses, while the
weather continues hard and dry, are
warm and tolerably comfortable, but on
the first appearance of wet or thaw have
generally to be abandoned. The dis
position of the Esquimaux to consump-
ton is attributable, among other causes,
to this method of life, constantly expos
ing themselves to the damp cold OF
their melting huts.
Their food from this time was a pru-
dent allowance of such provisions as
they had, with largo proportion OF
seal-fesh fat, and, subsequently, when
the seals were scarce, even seal-skins.
Three of the huts were for dwelling
houses and one for storehouse. In
one lived Captain Tyson, Joe and Han
nah his wife, and one child; in the
second, Hans Christian, wife and four
children in the third, Mr.. Myers and
eight men. These huts were built side
by side on the foe, and we're continu-
ously occupied from November to April,
when they were
COMPELLED TO ABANDON THEM.
They had no materials for fire, except
old rags and blubber-both scarce
which had to be used very sparingly,
and only when it was necessary to warm
their; scanty allowance of food, so that
for nearly the whole six months they
were without fire, peculiarly distress
ing position under the circumstances,
especially as these huts, unless heated
artifcially, are extremely cold.