The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08
The P0lnris Mystery.

The Washington investigation of the Polaris
mystery, as far as it throws any light upon the
subject seems to clear the great Arctic tragedy
of the traces of criminality. Yesterday our
Washington correspondents dispatches fore
Swallowed this result, and we welcome it as
putting the whole affair in better light. The
circumstances which surrounded the terrible
fate to which the party under Captain Tyson
was exposed have appeared conclusive Of
wrong somewhere, and the public viii de-
nand \ full exhibit of all that transpired.
The history of Arctic expeditions is not with
out instances which bear strong resemblance
to what was at first the apprehended
fate of the polaris' commander One
remarkable case in point may be
cited that of the celebrated Hendrick Hudson.
This old navigator. in 1911, after wintering in
high ATTITUDES, when about to resume his
Poleward voyage, was rudely and murderously
thwarted by the Vaccinations of his crew.
The brave old explorer was seized tied and
lowered into boat, with the ships carpenter,
his devoted adherent. and nine persons in all,
some of whom were sick, were turned adrift
to battle with the elements and the icebergs,
to whose terrible violence they all soon fatally
succumbed
But in the case of the Polaris the
evidence shows different aspect of
affairs altogether. 1t was not unnatural
that the now rescued voyagers under
Captain Tyson, when separated from their
vessel and drifted out on the broad, lev sea,
should have had their faith terribly shaken in
the party left behind. They then fully
answered the description of another wretched
band of lost Arctic mariners, who were cut of
in the frozen zone. taking
Their last look OF the descending sun:
While full OF death, and fierce with tenioid FROST
The long long night incumbent DER their heads
Falls horrible.
The fact that to them had been given, in
the act of debarking on the ice, the boats of
the Polaris, which are essential to the safety
of the remaining crew, seems strong proof of
the good intentions of Captain Buddington in
giving the order which came so near
proving fatal. The fearful danger of
parties detached from an Arctic cruiser must
not be overlooked in reaching conclusion
regarding Buddington's conduct. parallel
in the history Of Arctic navigation is found in
the great undertaking OF Behring during the
year 1741 to penetrate the Arctic Ocean
through the Pacific entrances. Behring sailed
on the 4th Of June in the St Peter, with a
companion vessel. The two ships soon after
became separated in storm, never more to
hail each other while the companion ship,
having come upon dangerous coast sent off
a mate with ten men to find landing and
these men were never heard from. boat
swain and six men despatched to the rescue of
this party never reappeared.
Captain Buddington, it is also stated, was
the friend and former fellow voyager of
Captain Hall and his deliberate choice
for the position Of sailing master, so that,
whatever may have been the entente between
Captain Hall and the scientific part of the
crew under DR.. Bessel it is not likely that
Captain Buddington would be inimical to
Captain Tyson and the other steadfast friends
of the dead commander. 1t is perfectly clear,
however that if there was no covert design
entertained on board the PoIaris to abandon
Tyson and his party the crew left on the Po-
laris would have made instant and untiring
efforts to rescue the party on the ice, had their
vessel been in condition to attempt rescue.
The fact that no immediate attempt was made
proves that at least for the time being the
steamer was crippled and disabled. Taking,
therefore, either horn Of the dilemma, the
occasion seems TO call for some early and
earnest effort on the part of the Navy Depart
ment to send relief to the outstanding crew