Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-27

night of Oct. 10 following, the original
extent of this foe they estimated at about
five miles in circumference. Snow huts
were built by the Esquimaux, in which
thev lived and kept their provisions. Oc-
casionally during the winter the Esqui- !
maux shot seal, and once they killed a
bear, and this renewed their supply of
meat.
arOn the first of April, finding their icy |
quarters much reduced by the breaking |
up of the foe, and that the current was
then setting them to the southwark and to
sea. they launched their boat into the open
water and pulled toward the west. in or
der, If possible, to gain the coast At
times, getting in ice too closely packed to
get their boat through, they were COM
PEELED to put the boat upon it landing it
again as lead opened to the westward or
southwark. In this way they passed a
month of weary and desperate endeavor.
Toward the close of April, their pro-
visions were almost gone, and they were
one day absolutely reduced to less than
buiscuit apiece and mouthful of penn
mican. when bear, seeming him on the
ice, approached them and was shot, and
they were thus rescued from starvation.
Revived by this good fortune, and
strengthened by this new supply of fresh
meat, they struggled on until the last day
of April, 1873. when they were rescued by
the Tigress. At this time they had the
coast OF Labrador in sight, distant about
forty miles, and were hoping to reach it
before they were exhausted
The circumstances of this most extra
ordinary voyage are given at length by
the witnesses, and as particularly detailed
in the diaries that some of the rescued
party made day by day upon the ice. At
the time of their separation from the Po-
laris every one belonging to the expedi-
ton was in good health. Nineteen were
upon the ice foe, and they believed all the
rest were on board the ship. The Polaris
had not then repaired her broken stern,
and leaked somewhat, but was easily
cleared by the deck pumps. She had
plenty of provisions, but not much coal,
probably about enough TO last through
the winter. She was last seen apparent
ly at anchor under Northumberland Island
where it is most likely she remained for
winter quarters. DIR. Hayes found Es-
quimaux residing on that island, and the
Esquimaux settlement of Navick is close
by. Communication with these people
could be easily opened and maintained
and no apprehension for the Polaris, or
in the absence of accident or sickness, fol
those on board, is entertained by the res
cued persons.
AS to the question as to whether the ship
can make her way to the Danish settle
ment of Upper Navick or Disco withou
steam, II she gets free from the ice this
season, supposing her to be in good con
dition IS when the rescued party was last
Cp bOard tho Ny;foaoooc J;f3,o,, e., ,,Jr.
meht; but the safer, if not the better opin
ion is that she will need assistance tc
bring her completely and safely out
Northumberland Island is in latitude u
degrees 20 seconds north, and we'll
found ship, with voyage of good fortune
would be able to reach It in the summer
and return in the autumn.
1t is possible that the Polaris NAV b,
able to return without assistance, but a
she remains within the Arctic Circle an
is not sound in her hull, with little fue
and many precious lives on board, an
with records and collections of her cruis
IN their possession, we are unanimousl
OF the opinion that this possibility Shout
not be assumed, and that suitable YES
sci should as soon as possible be procure,
and sent in search of her, to render he
return as certain and as speedy as may be
Whilst a suitable vessel is being construc
ted and lifted for a voyage amongst tn
ice, we believe it would be well to DIES
patch such naval vessel as NAV b,
available to carry forward proper supple!
Of coal and provisions for the relief OF thu
expedition, to inform the authorities O.
Greenland of the condition of affairs, tC
gather all possible information from them
and from the Esquimaux of the coast and
II possible, by means of the latter, to sen(
some lntlmations of speedy relief to thu
officers and crew of the icebound ship
From the testimony it appears that every
possible opportunity was embraced by thu
members OF the scientific corps of the ex
petition to carry out the instructions civ
en-; the only direction in which there
seems to have been partial failure being ir
reference to the use of Photographic APP
paratus and the dredge. The records O
the astronomical, meteorological magniti
cal, tidal and other departments of explor
alton appear to have been extreme ant
tull. and the observations in each appear
TO have been conducted according to thu
approved methods. The collections O.
natural history are shown to have beer
not less extensive, the storeroom of the
Polaris being filled with skins and skele.
tons OF musk oqen, bears and other ami
mais, different species of birds and their
eggs. numerous marine invertebrates,
plants, both recent and FOSSIL minerals
etc Not the least interesting of these
collections are specimens of drift wood,
picked up on or near the shores of New
Mans Bay and Polaris Bay, among which
Meyer thought he recognized distinctly
the walnut, the ash aud the pine.
Among the numerous facts that appear
to be shown by the testimony elected on
the examination, we may mention as one
Of much interest, that the dip of the needle
amounted to 400, and its deviation to 900
being less than at Port Foulke and Rens
selaer Harbor, rs given by Dir. Kane ant
DR.. Hayes. Auraras have been frequent
but by no means brilliant; it was general
ly quite light and consisting at one tim,
of one arch and sometimes of several
streamers were quite rare. Only in on,
instance, in February, 1872, did an auror;
appear OF a distinct rosy red. This wa
ioreboded in the morning from eight t.
ten O'Clock by very decided disturbanc,
of the magnetic needle. Shooting STAR
were so constantly seen that, although nc
special shower was observed, il wa.