The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-09
TYSON VS.. BUDDINGToN.
Could the Polaris Have Solved the Polar
Mysferyg

Could the Polaris Have Solved the Polar
Mysterys
The bulletin OF the American Geographical So
ciety, just published, contains COMMUNICATIONS
from Captains Tyson. Buddington, Chester and
Morton, on the III starred expedition. They give
. complete history OF the expedition, clearing up
many points.
Captain Buddington In his letter says:-
GRoroN, Feb. 20 1874.
To THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY,"
AS there has been q great deal said about the
voyage OF the Polaris, consider 1t my duty TO
make . straightforward statement. Not wishing
to build myself up by tearing someone else down
las 10 100 often the case), every statement make
here, win prove by the majority and best OF the
officers and crew. And wish to state here, l
lug twenty-one years. as master OF ship;
refer TO the mate. second mate, engineers, sea-
Upernavik we passed Melville Bay. Smiths Sound
and Kennedy Channel with little or no obstruction
nom ICE Aner passing through Kennedy Channel
passed through that and came into channel
which Captain Hall named Robeson's Channel pro-
ceeded up TO latitude 81 deRs. 10 min where we
met with heavy ice. all old, heavy noes: AZ there
was no chance Of getting farther north, Captain
and look Tor harbor Wnea A Within min about mile
OF the shore we found the tide running very strong
to the southwark, the heavy noes going along the
tain Hall and Captain Tyson endeavored to
land twice, but, owing to the strong tide
1t was Impossible to proceed farther north, Cap
tain Hall held consultation with the officers ana
scientific gentlemen; the result viii give you IN
their own words- Bessels was ire nrst con-
suited; his opinion was, II we could ge. no farther
n NOR e cross tns straits aRe winter o On me
the west was better Tor sedge Journeys Ar.
Myers was then consulted and conceded with Dr.
Bessels: Mr.. Morron's opinion was the same, or
nearly SO; Captain Tyson's, to get into harbor as
soon as possible; Mr. Chester's to get as lar north
as possible. as every mile we got north with the
shin would much Sle0Qng.
Every man especially seamanl knows
what IL is 70 lose commander . o.. on the
is SO unfortunate as to try 70 I'LL his position has
great many obstacles to surmount, especially
where 30 many are on an equality as on board the
Poiaris. = In the spring ofls72 used every
means In nay power with ship, boats and sedges,
TO proceed north, but tailed in every attempt and
finally the 18th OF August, with :he ship leaking
badly and our coal nearly exhausted, made up my
Corning Captain Halls death, deserting tue party
the Ice intentionally, or habitual drunkenness,
think them too ridiculous TO mention, as consider
a person who would be guilty OF such things would
S''''' 0'H' '"'A'' '''' ''' % BoDDINGroN.
TYsoNs LETTER
Tc Hon. CHARLES p DAILY, President OF the
American Geographical Society,"
SIR-In compliance with your request that /
snsns sou Sound ana the waters Connecting With Il
TO the norrhward and especially as 70 the correct
ness OF some OF the views advanced before the
Geographical Society, on the occasion OF Its late
PERCEPTION TO the officers and crew or the late
Polaris expedition" / here briefly set down my
ideas upon the subject. On the occasion referred
10 captain BuddingtOn gave IT az his opinion 'that
1t was Impossible to get through Robeson's Chan
nortnward.n Now Captain Budoington has seen ice
before, but on this occasion seemed TO have taken
counsel OF his tears rather than correct observa-
ton OF the facts IN the case. Then followed Mr..
Bryan, the astronomer and CHAPLAIN to the expedi-
ton who was just seven days old in the Arctic world
when called into counsel by Captain Hall; and
with all due respect to our young SCIENTIFIC iriend
who thinks that 1.-The ship was never butt, or Ii
north or So deg. 10 min, 1t must be remembered
that he was not appointed on the expedition rs
Polar expert but to take observations the stars
and If possible to reach beyond to the heavenly
gates In his role OF chaplain but even he did not
say but that dark water cloud could be distinctly
seen, and apparently close to u.s. at our highest
latitude north.
Proceeding, Captain Tyson shows plainly that
the Polaris could have proceeded further north.
He concludes
On The 30tn OF August, 1871, there was an oppor-
tunlty TO get north through Robeson's channel.
In June, 1872 Buddlngton made some feints to get
north, but he had said plainly to me before that lie
did not wish to go any lurtner north. and these
purposeless endeavors were meant simply to i'm
press the inexperienced on board that ne mad done
his whole duty. In iact the Poiars had been SO
badly handled through the winter that she was
not IN condition to continue her voyage with any
prospect OF success, providing the provision and
naa 81 Ss aeas wnGs tn wSco
been permitted through the winter, after Captain
Halls death. You WIN ASK, Why did not an ex-
Wiling to 60 could not get the authority or proper
means TO go WITH There were excellent 0pportu-
mites to accomplish something by land travel We
mad plenty Of good dogs and TWO good Esquimaux
drivers; one OF them (Joel even wanted to 60,
but beyond thirty -one miles north OF where the.
ship lay, nothing was known; that distance Mr..
Myers and myself travelled on musk OK nunt, up
to latitude so deg MN. north. Beyond that the
FOOT or white man has never trodden Respectfully
yours GEORGE E. TYSON,
Late Assistant Navigator to PolarIs Expedition.
THE POLE CAN BE REACHED.
Morton concludes his statement with these
Words
l have made three Arctic voyages and am fifty
seven years old, and shall not probably make
another. II Iwere to express the result OF my ex-
perience. 1t is q firm conviction that the Pole can
be reached by this route. know Of no dif1culties
that would make 1t impossible. Ilhink it can be
accomplished by two vessels properly equipped
and manned, ana conducted by competent and
resolute leader. Captain Hall was determined
and persevering commander, and mad he lived
be would. ~ my opinion. have got much lurtner
north II indeed he would not have reached the Pole
ITSELF The result OF my third voyage Is that am
more than ever convinced, OF the pracricablty
and possibility of reaching the Pole, and l firmly
believe II Will yet be done. Respectfully aud
truly yours, WILLIAM MORTON.