Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-10-26
TIIEI POLAR REGIONS.
RctUril OF tic Pandora to PoTts
mouth England.
Exciting voyage OF the Vessel
ia the Track OF Sir john
franklin.

New YORK, Oct. IA special dis
! patch 10 the Nefdtd, dated London Is.
reports that the Pandora. arrived safe
and sound at Portsmouth this after
noon, after an adventurous aud event
fLl voyage on the Arctic seas. The
Pandora, arrived safely at Disco, and
left that portion the 7t:l o. August.
reaching Upernavik in time to leave
there on the 18th.
After sailing from the port of Uper-
navik, the Pandora crossed the dread
ed Melville bay without any mishap.
Contrary to previous expectation, the
usual fields of pack ice were not WISH
bic, and almost clear sheet of water
was found, consequently the passage
was made in good time, and in smooth
water.
In due time the expedition reached
earns island, where Commodore
Young anticipated finding dispatches
that might have been left there by
Capt. Mares to be taken to the British
admiral. In this he was disappOint-
ed, as no signs of the government ex-
plOring expedition were visible.
AS soon as the steamer Pandora ar
rived at ancOrage off Beechy island,
several of the officers and crew went
ashore and made an examination of
the buildings. They found a store
house built for the benefit of the sail.
Ors or castaways of ice-bOUnd vessels.
On entering the binding they found
the clothing and provisions left there
to be in a state of terrible confusion.
Everything of a movable nature was
scattered about i'll most strange man
ner. AT first it seemed to be the act
of human beings, but on further in
vestigation the Pandora people became
satisfied that the destruction of the
stores had been accomplished by Po-
lar bears, as the tracks of these ami
mails were visible in every direction,
both inside and outside the building.
One of the discoveries made by the
PandOra's officers was that the head
boards over the graves of Sir John
Franklin's men, who were lying bur
led there, were still standing upright,
and in good preservation.
On the 18th of August the Pandora
steamed away from Beechy Island for
Peel Strait and then came the most
critical period of the entire voyage, for
the steamer encountered, vast fields OF
pack ice which made the passage of
the vessel most difficult and laborious.
In struggling through the pack ice,
the Pandora steadily worked her way
onward, and despite difficulty soon
passed the fartherest point reached by
the Fox. when McCiintOch was in
search OF Franklin's relics.
Soon after reaching this point, the
pandora neaTed the island known as
King Williams Land. thus navigating
the sea where no ship was ever before, |
except that of Sir John Franklin. At
this time most intense excitement |
prevailed among the officers and MEM |
bers Of the expedition, IS it was ex.
pected that something important was !
at hand. Many believed that they |
would be sure to discover traces of !
Franklin's expedition, and some were |
that even Sir Johns papers |
would be found, and that eventually |
they would make Behring's strait.
The Pandora stayed at this point /
until the eth of September, when,
finding no further progress was posi-
bile, Capt Young aud his officers saw
that they must beside either to remain |
the winter in the ice or return
After mature consideration, it was de- |
cided to be useless 10 remain in win
ter quarters, and that ii would be far
better tn r-turn. Tie journey was
full of difficulties. as the ice was rap
idly forming, aud the passage of the !
Pandora was constant series of ex-
citing scenes and narrow escapes |
from moving ice foes.
Finally, escaping through Peel