Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-06-19
Why Capt, Hall Turned Back.
Within Four Days Sail OF tho Open Polar
Sea and tho Polaris II Put About.

within Four Days Sail Of tho Open Polar
Sea and tho Polaris IL Put About.
Captain Hall. says one of the rescued
Polaris officers, was devoted to his
work, and all his efforts were strenuous
" exerted towards the North Pole, OF
such high latitude as would determine
the possibility of arriving at that long
cherished object of his ambition. The
winter of 1871 was favorable to his pur-
pose, and he had reached, as already
stated, the highest known latitude,
where the difficulties which obstructed
his progress did not materially increase.
They had passed what Kane supposed
to be the Polar Sea, which now proved
to be sound. Beyond this they pene.
trated into Robeson's Channel and
were there Oh the last day Of August,
1871. The admissions of some, and the
statements of all, prove that had they
continued here and pressed on they
might at that time have penetrated into
the sea beyond. Some idea of their To-
cality may be given by the fact that
from the observatory erected in Polarls
Bay, in latitude 81 degrees 38 minutes,
Cape teber bore west degrees south,
distant about forty-fve miles, while
their present latitude was 50 degrees l6
minutes. But few miles from here
was body of clear water, stretching as
for os the eve could reach-it is estima-
ted about eighty or ninety miles. Many
important circumstances Enthusiastically
indicated the existence OF an unfrozen
ocean beyond the channel
Mild weather, with fogs and mlsts
brought down by northerly winds, could
come from no other source. Land was
visible to the north and west of this
body of water great distance. Now
was the moment to embrace the present
favorable opportunity, which was liable
to be defeated by the slightest sudden
change, and, by prompt continuation
Of their hitherto successful adventure,
achieve the glorious goal for which they
had hazarded 30 much.
But here, on the eve OF an easy VIC
tory, arose that fatal difference OF opin-
| ion. which blasted all the heroic explor-
| er's prospects and rendered fruitless
that mighty energy and labor which had
already led him such distance over
the barren and inhospitable regions OF
the unknown north. The sailing mas
ter, Bnddington, had several times e1-
pressed his anxiety to go no further,
and strongly urged the necessity OF re-
treating to winter at Port Hope, in lati-
tude 78 degrees 20 minutes nearly two
hundred and forty miles south OF their
present highly advantageous position.
Hall was determined to proceed, II pos
sible, and would not consent to this lat
ter proposition. Buddington, however,
persisted, grossly misrepresented the
difficulties and dangers of pressing fur
ther north or even remaining where
they were. Buddington, being the
navigator, was the Judge of these e1,
pediencies, and Hall believing what
Buddington had reported, at length
consented to yield, and the ship return
ed and put up at Polaris Bay for the
winter. The rescued crew say they
never could see any good reason fol
adopting this course; there was no ne.
cessity, and, although the intelligent
portion of them admit that there was
the usual amount of peril to be anticl,
pated from venturing further, such as Is
incident ut all times to an expedition OF
the kind, yet, they say, that it was theil
duty to pursue the object for which II
was instituted unmindfal of the danger,
which was in fact not greater than pre-,
viously. Before they retreated Hall
called council, consisting OF himself.
Captain Tyson, Chester (the mate) and
Buddington, to consider which course
was most advisable. At this council
Captain Tyson strongly advocated Cap
tain Halls views, and urged the i'm
propriety of desisting.
The brave and the right cause was
overrulpd, to which circumstance it il
possible that Captain Hall owed hit
death. If the vessel had continued OF
its course, as Captain Hall desired ano
urged, the expedition would in all prob
ability have been crowned with success
and the dreams of geographers and ex
plorers been realized; but an unac
countable timidity, the offspring OF
craven cowardice or other improper
motive, annihilated the hopes OF Cap
tain Hall. Buddiugton, from the posi-
ton which he occupied, was master O.
the situation he said "Thus far hav.
YOU gone-and you shall go no further,
and he was obeyed, reluctantly o
course, as matter of necessity. 1t il
impossible to analyze the motive which
prompted Buddington. From hi
knowledge of the Arctic regions he mus
have known that it was as dangerous t.
turn back rs to proceed, and that, If TIT
vessel was to be frozen in, she might a
we'll be frozen in at one place as an
other. The fact that Captain Tysol
supported the views of Captain Hal
furnishes additional confirmation tina
the latter was right and Buddington wa
wrong. Great expeditions have oftel
failed through the ignorance, incompe
tence or obstinacy of subordinates, ant
it was so in this particular instance
The blame, if there is blame attending
the failure of the expedition, will cleay
to Buddington, unless he can, if still
living, satisfactorily explain what nov
seems to be his unaccountable conduct
It is not too much to say that his &C
ton blasted all the hopes OF his superl
or.