Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-10-01
The ILL-FATED POLARIs.
Statements OF the Suryfvors-Captaiu
Hairs Death-What Cant. budding
ton says About History Of the Res.

cue.
INV YORK, October Letters from Dundee
bring the statements OF the Polaris survivors
who arrived there. They all agree in the state
ments before published a. 20 n all's death. Cap
6ring the whole voyage from the time the Po-
lars left Tessuisak in August, 1871, and gives
BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HALLS DEATH.
ON the 2ith Captain Hall returned, having
reached the bay which he named Newmanis
Bay. Not long after his return Captain Hall
was taken seriously i'll, and DIR. Bessel said his
disease MAS apOIleHy. For two weeks he con-
tnued in bad health, but now and again he
would rally and appear well and then relapse
suddenly. ON the morning OF the sth be died,
ard on the 10th We buried him half mile 70
the south OF the observatory.
"LITTLE DIFFERENCES"
We were now In peculiarly embarrassing
condition, but I considered It still our duty 10
press towards the North Pole. In consequence
OF some little differences which had occurred
before Captain Halls death ss we'll as from the
novel position in which we found ourselves, the
harmony which had previously prevailed was
now more than once seriously broken. on the
18th of November DR. Bessel drew up a paper
and asked me TO sign IL, which did. Ii was a
repetition Of the instructions gwen by the Navy
department TO Captain Hall, providing that I
should continue as sailing and vice master. and
control and direct the movements Of the vessel;
DIR. Bessel TO continue chief OF the scientific
department. This paper concluded as follows:
" IL Is our honest intention 10 honor our flag
and 70 hoist II upon the most northern point OF
the earth" Captain Buddington next de-
scribes
THE SEPARATION FROM rYsox's PARTY,
and says the POlaris was in n most critical con-
efforts that the Poiaris was kept afioat until
steam was started, and the deck pump got 20
work by which means the vessel was bailed out
On the morning OF the 10th they found they had
driited a few miles north of Littleton Island
in Smith Straits. They looked from the mast
head for their companions, hut could find no
traces of them; Capt. Baddington surveyed
the Polaris and found the stern entirely broken
of below the six foot mark. He, therefore,
CONSIDERED HER LOST VESSEL
and immediately prepared to leave and live on
a party OF Esqmmaux. After getting every
available thing on shore they stopped the steam
pumps and let the POlzris nj. While in their
encampment they were visited by a number Of
natives, who were very kind. The winter was
passed in household duties and in making
preparations for their journey south in the
spring.
The captain Of the Ravensoraig, which res
cued the party, says when they were first dis
covered they were 10 or II miles distant, max
ing their way over pack ice 20 their ship.
Eighteen picked men were sent to their assist
ance, and IL took the entire party seven hours
to make their way back 70 his vessel This
arose from the soft and slushy state Of the deep
snow covering the ice, while myriads of huge
hummacks were piled and hesped everywhere
over the surface, which was also much split and
full Of treacherous holes into which many q
founder took place.
The party were delighted TO hear from us of
the safety OF their comrades. They never err
pected TO hear from them more, and were much
surprised at their miraculous escape from what
appeared lingering IL not a speedy death. IL
was doubtless, also, truly providentlal circum-
stance that placed the Ravenscraig in q position
TO pick this party OF castsways up. Had such
not happened, il Is highly probable that none OF
them would have ever reached the Danish set
Elements, when we consider their resources as
regards food, the state of their boats and the
impracticabihty OF travelling on foot distance
OF at least 800 miles over such treacherous ice as
then covered the expanse of Melville bay. Only
about six weeks provisions were left Although
divided with the utmost economy, and even
with plenty OF ammunition and arms, sufficient
food could not, IN all probability, have been
obtained 70 support fourteen men during 30 long
march. Bears, seals, and birds are scarcely
TO be got at. The boats of the Polaris crew both
got stove as soon as they got entangled In the
Melville pack ice; the first portion Of their
voyage had been performed in open water for
the most part, so that their greatest difficulties
were only begun when we sighted them. More
over, the rest Of the journey must have been
attempted without shelter of any Hind. In fact
they were totally unprepared, both as regards
boats and Clothing, for such an arduous UNDER
taking.