New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-06
BHY THE POLARIS FAILED TO REACH
TIE POLE.

TIE CIkcUMsTASCEs THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ATTEMPTS WERE MADE
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The letter of Mr. Hayes in your edition
~ the 81 inst has attracted attention by Its crt
cism upon The reception" given by the Geographical
Society," and upon Capt Tysons remarks in reply to Dr.
Hayess invitation 10 speak in order to give us view
from a different point as 10 the impedlments the'
encountered preventing their getting north OF $40 TO-
from what Capt BuddingtOn had explained
Capt TYSON said while at latitude SO 1G, with the
aid Of glass discovered water in the distance many
miles away If the vessel could have only passed
through that channel, the American flag would nave
been planted at the Pole as 1t ought to be-" In his
letter in The TRIBUNE of the 9th inst, ne says:
The morning we anchored in Polaris Bay
tho northeast gale that drfed the vessel ou OF Rome
Channel driited the ice out aiso ana the IN NY
opinion, there opportunity 10 steam thronsn,
dead commander who before he died saw the error ne
had committed through bad ADVICE
There are some things be considered to understand
this question On August the Poari reached Latitude
s2o 49, and became fast drifting ice. consultation
was held as to best chance whether 10 seek harb0r
upon the east or west coast Capt. Hall deciding he
would attempt to the channel (Dr Besses PLAN,
and failing in that to put back in the drifting ice,
they drted south about fifty miles before they could get
clear and then got into Thank God Harbor.
Having tins experience in drift having escaped the
ing then the 4th OF September, made fast TO the
shores Capt Han had idea OF oosenIng his hold, and
at that season taking any chances in the channel,
though there NAV have been leads in it and no
one but Capt Tyson remembers consultation that
morning 10 the expCdency of leaving their anchor
age Capt. Hall knew very well that any twelve hours
might nip them in the drift only 20 get clear from 1t IN
the Spring breakup, far south. Capt Tyson must ne
under strange Authorization to suppOse-nOt"lth
standing his eleven Winters in an entirely dieient
ocalltythat that was any season for such venture
They had lust lost so miles nOrinc and Capt. Hais
plan TO hold fast 10 the land aud all the n0rnR ne
mad and he told Mr. Hayes, next season we wall
Try and give You an Opportunity 70 20 on north"
The result Of the sedge and boat journeys north IN the
Spring result OF three several attempts made by Capt
Bnddington with the steamer, showed cOncusveN that
prospect offered for getting north that season. Ihe.
with leaky vessel In heavy drifting ice, short of fue
acting under confused and contradictory written III
strucuOns from the Navy Department, the homcward
voyage commenced
1t under all riese circumstances that Capt tyson
takes exception 10 the management OF the expedition,
and shows his differences and want of sympathy with
them. Upon his return he may have "blurted out
some truths but it vas then uncertain whether they
would ever return. Had the Buddingtou party been
inclined TO fix up matters, they knew by the LIST OF
July that Tyson at home and they had opportunity
enough 10 a story that would have appeared bet
Ter the credit Of the eXpcdion-had they been 70
incli2ed. FAIR IAAi.
Nelr- York March o.. 1874