The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-11
European Correspondence of the Bulletin.l

TEuropean Correspondence of the Bulletin
BERLIN June 16. 1875.
Dear Bulletin. Feeling that am not by an
means bound to confne my ''observations"
purely local items, am constrained to CON
ment in this article upon a certain event whic
transpired in England, on last Saturday, an
which, to all friends of science and to the civi
liked world at large, is one Of the most profoun'
interest. allude to the departure of tn
Arctic exploring ships, the Alert and tn
Discovery, from the harbor of Portsmouth
an event which marks the beginning Of an
other one of those fearful expeditions tina
men undertake in he interest OF scientific
discovery, at such an enormous sacrifice O.
personal comfort and at such hazard of life
For some months past we have read from
time to time of the preparations which were
being made in England for the trip, and how
applications enough had been received from
officers in the marine and merchant service
to have fitted out both vessels with crews
composed entirely of captains, showing that
the spirit of courageous adventure has not
been in the least cooled in the hearts of Bri-
fish seamen by hearing the tales of former
suffering; and now the two ships, bearing a
band of heroes who are destined to years OF
dreary exile among icebergs and glaciers, are
ct length upon the deep, and are followed not
alone by the prayers of those whose friends
are numbered among the devoted crews, but
by the deepest. most earnest "god-speeds !"
OF the whole civilized world. The London
Times thus speaks of the occasion:
The multitudes who assembled at Ports
mouth to witness the sailing of Capt Mares
and his brave companions, and the unparal-
leled enthusiasm with which they were re-
ceived, indicated pretty clearly that true
chord had been struck, and that the sympa-
thies of all, from the Queen downwards, go
with them. There was little to see. 1t was
the spectators who made the show. Two
small vessels leaving their anchorage and sail
ing slowly to the eastward do not constitute
OF themselves q spectacle to attract an i'm
mense crowd from all parts. But underlying
all was the consciousness that the crews were
about to enter upon battle with nature in
her sternest aspects, and that it was for the
honor of the country that it was to be.so.
Truly there was something ofinterest deeper
than the feeling of sympathy which the be-
ginning of any ordinary sea voyage could ex-
cite, for, with the memory, the brave and
hapless Franklin, and the records of the fear
full sufferings experienced by an subsequent
explores resting upon the national mind,
every spectator Of that simple, but momen-
tous scene, and every true heart in broad
England, felt that these men, starting out full
Of calm. but unfinching resolution, will not
be likely to quail before danger or to stop
short of the highest measure of success that
can be purchased with reckless valor and
that therefore the chances are, despite all the
that science can afford them, and
al the lessons of experience SO dearly taught |
that they may yet meet their fate in that dis |
tant dreary and echoless region, which, like
The enchanted lands OF our fairy stories,
seems guarded by stern Genii, whose
cy breath can wither the heart of mortal men,
md whose watch upon their glittering castles
9 sleepless and eternal
Before the hour of sailing both vessels were
listed by the Lords of the Admiralty, who
inspected with minute attention every detail
,
1ances that the most approved modern in
,enuity has been able to furnish, and after
personal introduction to every man in the
wo crews, their lordships took cordial leave,
he spokeman Of the party addressing short
mt fervant speech to the men, and then
Wishing them a hearty "God-speed" went :
YER the side amid storm OF cheers. Almost
aftef their departure the follow I,
ng telegram from the Queen to Capt. Mares !
rived: II earnestly wish you and your
allant companions every success, and trust j,
ou may safely accomplish the important duty !
on have SO bravely undertaken"
To this the commander promptly replied:
i feel deeply the great honor her Msjesty !,
as done myself and the other members of the /.
Expedition in wishing us success Her Ma
ssty may depend on all doing their duty"
Ater still, o packet was received on board
ach vessel coming from the Queen to the two
aptains, and being supposed to contain some
oxen of regard, but they were not opened
rior to the departure of the ships. I quote
lrther from the Times:
"The Lords of the Admiralty having taken
,eir departure at twenty minutes past IL i,
clock. the day being department holiday, 3
he dock.y was strictly closed to all but the a
lends Of the crews. 1t was felt that the :
arting sorrow of brave men should not be =
roken in upon by the intrusion OF mob; and =
was no ordinary parting which was about to Y
1sue between the devoted crews and those =
ley held dear. Portsmouth is accustomed :,
the domestic severances which occur on a
le departure of ships to distant stations. :,
hese are the sad but inevitable concomitants .,
sailors life, aud for which they are pre- q
red. But the Alert and Discovery were on
q point of sailing whittier no letter could :,
ach them, and from whence no news could =,
received for three years or more. So the :,
ficers and men will be as absolutely cut off =,
om the world Of the living as if they were E,
ad. y.
The ships lay, with steam up and their 81 ],
TVS already in the stream. ready to start sv
On the neighboring jetties, the relatives 81 81
ID friends were assembled to bid the explor- ~
s good bye. 1t was noticed that there were !.
" ladies' present There were some weep 70
wives, belonging to the blue jackets cling -
8 about the ships, but as the vessels had -
en- open to the relatives of the crew from p p
ry morning. the wives and sweethearts of Il.
ose on board had already taken their last -
'ewell. As the hour Of sailing approached. ~ y.
IylA