Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-10-20
THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
Statement of Oficers-DestructiOn OF
Polar Bears-ExciGing Scenes and
Narrow Escapes-DiscOY-
cries Made.

LONDON, October 16.-The Pandora
arrived safe and sound at Portsmouth, thiR
afternoon, after an adventurous and eventful
voyage on the Arctic seas The Pandora ar
rived safely at Disco, and left that port on the
seventh OF August, reaching Upernavik in
time to leave there on the thirteenth. After
sailing from port Upernavik, the Pandora
crossed tue dreaded Melville bay without any
mishap, for, contrary TO previous eXpecta-
lions, the usual nelds OF pack ice were not
visible, and almost clear sheet of water
was found, consequently the passage was
made in good time and in smooth water. In
due time the eX petition reached Carne island,
where Commander Young anticipated ind
ing dispatches that might have been LEFT
there by Captain Mares, 10 be taken
10 the British admiralty. In this he was
disappointed, as no signs OF the government
there being nothing further TO be done at the
island, Captain Young decided to steer for
Lancaster sound, and on reaching that point
encountered for the first time, ice-hoes. So
gleat was the pressure of. the floating ice that
il was with great difficulty that the Pandora
was forced on her way. Despite the difficulty
traveTsng the entire length OF Barrow
strait, making the passage in good time. The
Pandoras progress was then impeded by
Den "a and binding fog, which was so thick
and impenetrable that men g few feet from
each other were invisible AS soon as the
steamer Pandora arrived at her anchorage off
Beechy island, several OF the officers andrew
went ashore aud made az examin alton of the
buildings They found the stOreh0use built
bound vessels. On entering the building they
found the clothing and provisions left there
10 be in a state of terrible confusion, and ev-
eiything Of a movable nature was scat cred
liz most strange manner. At first IL seemed
to be the act of human beings, but on further
investigation the Pandora people were sails
fed that the destruction OF the stores had
been accomplished by polar bears, as tracks
OF these animals were visible in every direc-
ton, both inside and outside of the building.
One of the discoveries made by the Pandoras
Officers was that of the head-DORrdS over the
grave OF Sir John Frankltn's men, VINO were
lying buIieO there, They were still standing
upright, and were IN good preservation. On
the twenty-siXth OF August the Pandora
steamed away from Beecby island FOR Peel
strait and then came the most critical period
of the entire v0y age, for the steamer encOun-
tered vast Aelds of pack Ice, which made the
passage of the vessel most difficult and la.
boriouS. On, struggling through the pack ice,
the Pandora steadily worked Rer way, and de-
spite the difficulty soon passed the tsrthesE
was in search OF sir John Franklin's relics.
Soon after reaching this point, the
as King Williams lard, thus nsvt-
eating a sea where no ship was ever before,
except that OF Sir John Franklin. At tins
time the most intense excitement prevailed
smong the Officers and members OF the expe-
ditfon Is IL was expected something inipor-
tant Eas at hand. Many believed that they
would BE- sure II discover traces OF the
Franklin expedition, and some were sangpine
that even Sir Johns papers would be found
and eventually making BehTings strait, Ia
this, however, ti.es wire disappointed, ho-
cuettes island was disceruIu @heao' II WhS
tnsp considered probabls that the veal
would be able 20 reach Beloits strait. As the
steamer moved forYRId ali h ands We gazing
eagerly ahead 10 The soHt ward, hut on reach
Ing ROquette's Island the officers and men
saw the edge Of solo pack of ice, when
stretched across the strait, from side to side,
in one unbroken eXpsnse of pummock ice.
This PACK blocked the entrance TO Bellots