Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-24
THE SEARCH FOR THE POLARIS.
Oficial dispatches from Commander
Greer-Interesting Narrative of Are
tie Explorations.
The following dispatch was received at the
NAVY department 10 dav.

The following dispatch was received at the
Navy department TO day:
L. S. 5. TIGREss,
or GodhdreR, ISLAND Of Disco, Gd.,}
August 25, 1873.
Hon. G. NJ. Robson, SecretdTycf he Macy, Wash
SIR: have the honor to report that this YES
sci sailed from Upernayik, North Greenland,
on August IL, 1873, at o: p. m, Danish pilot
being on board At ll.l5 p. m. arrived at les
suisak. On approaching the anchorage, and
while forging ahead slowly, the engine caught
on center. Let go the anchor, but failing to
bring the vessel up, she ran lightly upon
smooth rock. Backed of in few minutes; no
damage done. Gov. Jansen came on board
having no Information. | accepted his services
as pilot to clear us of the islands.
August -, at lis a. m, stopped and commu-
nicated with the Juniata's steam launch; ou-
tanned no information about Polaris; at 1:l5 a
m; discharged pilots, parted company with
steam launch, and stood to the northward;
August ID, at 10 a. m, passed Cape York;
heavy pack of ice prevented our getting very
close, yet were near enough to clearly observe
any signals that might have been made; a bright
lookout was kept at all times; from Cape York
skirted the shore as slowly as safe navigation
would permit. This was also done upon our
return.
At9 p m. examined North Star bay. Aug.
18th examined NItikh harbor; skirted Northum-
berland Island. Being certain that this was not
the place where the separ alton of the party on
the foe and Polaris occurred, continued on for
Capes Parry and Alexander. Examined Harris
tone bay. at p. m, having passed Littleton
was the place we were seeking, stood well in
and lowered boat
Discovering one month and four hours after
leaving New York a camp, which upon exam
ination proved to be the one which was occu-
ped by crew of Polaris last winter. 1t is now
occupied by Esquimaux, who seem to be quite
Intelligent. From them 1 learned that they
came from Ponds bay, on hunting expedition,
and found the Polars secured to the rocks the
crew living on shore; that they had built two
boats out of material taken from the vessel
lifted them with and sails and ahnut n
moon or so ago, when the ducks began to
hatch, (Which l think about the middle
of June,) they, all being we'll, had gone to the
Southard,-also that Capt. Buddngton, the
head man, before he departed, told him 1.-THE
Chief EsquImaux) that he could have the yes
sci. a gale of wind came on some time after
the departure of the crew, the vessel broke
adIift, Il saw the broken hawsers,) and drifting
about mile and a half towards the passage
between Littleton Island and the main land,
sank. The native said he saw her go down, and
regretted his loss very much. He went, with
Lieut.. Commander H. Z. White, to the place
but two small comparatively speaking
ice beTgs, with heavy foe about them, covered
it, having doubtless grounded" upon the
wreck, which caused their detention at the
spot, as there was TO II fathOms of water
around it, AT the camp, comfortable wooden
house had been constructed, having in it hunks
mattresses, furniture, galley, sc. The natives
had two huts, made ont of canvass, evidently
from the "POlaris." a rough carpenters bench
with many shayings about, was in the camp
Provisions, instruments, books and stores OF
various kinds, were scattered around the small
camp in every direction and all in quite bad
condition. caused to be brought on board all
the manuscript matter, including a mutilated
log book, all the books which were not torn to
pieces, some tirea arms and broken instruments
the ships bell and some medical stores. The
provisions and other stores were of no earthly
value and L did not bring them off,
A cairn, or place of cOncealment for papers
and records was sought, but none could be
found. The weather was quite threatening
thick, squally, and showing at times with an
ice pack to the northward, extending as far a.
the eye could reach across Smith sound. At
2:l5 a. m, August 18th, I stood to the south
ward, keeping lookout for the people. The
position of what l call Camp POlars" is, a.
taken from the chart, latitude 1872 20 north;
longitude 73o 4G west
AT noon. August 10th, passed Cape York near
enough TO have seen signals; found much ice
about it, and stood for Melville bay. August
18th, at 230 2. m, communicated with Cover
nor Jansen at Tessuirik; obtained no news; at
$50 p. m. anchored at upernavIk; nothing had
been heard there of the crew Of the POlaris; re-
manned at Upernavik oyerhaulDg aud repair
ing machinery until August sd, .. M, when
we sailed for this place, arriving at a. m
Being almost positively assured IN my own
mind that the crew Of the POlaris have been
taken aboard whaler (the following named
are known to have passed to the northward this
ye ar, viz: Asick or Ask OF Dundee, Arctic be-
lieved to be of Dundee, and several Others whose
all (those that have been spOken) expected to
sight Cape York, / have concluded in ac-
cordance with my instructions from the depart
ment "to make a thorough search for the crew.
TO 60 to the west side OF Davis straits skirtinE
the pass until find a chance to get through
them until l work to the northward
then returning to the western shore
The search will be continued as long as pru-
dence will justify taking into consideration the
conditions of the ice and our supply of fuel,
(Which will be used economically will then
proceed TO St. Johns, n. +. We have now on
board l55 tons Of coal. expect to sail to-day,
ing Camp "POlaris."
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
tSignedl Jos. A. GREER
Commander, Commanding.
P.S.-Since writing the above, L have re-
ceived from Commander Braine of the
"Juniata," thirteen tons OF coal.
Jos. A. GREER.
Forwarded:-D. l.. Braine, Commander, U.
S. N, Commanding "Juniata," and senior