Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-11-01
THE ARCTIC REGION.

after an eventful cruise IN search tor the
northwest passage to the pole, which at
one time was seemingly almost crowned
with success. The Pandora left Uper-
navik, Aug. Is, aud crossed the dreaded
Melville bay without any mishap, for,
contrary to previous expectation, the
usual fields of pack-ice were not visible.
and after touc ching at Carey island steer.
ed for Lancaster sound, and on reach
ing that point, encountered for the first
time the ice foes, So great was the
pressure of floating ice that it was with
great difficulty that the Pandora was
forced on her way. but despite the ice
and the difficulty of passage succeeded
in traversing the entire length of Barrow
strait. when progress was again imped.
ed by dense and binding fog, so thick
and impenetrable that men fe% feet
from each other were invisible. Nov
ing slowly and cautiously by compass
and soundings, the Pandora succeeded,
however, in reaching Beechy island, Au-
gust 25.
When land was sighted considerable
excitement was caused among the crew
by the discovery of the yacht Mary,
which had been drawn upon the beach
by Capt Ross in 1850. The yacht was
still standing with masts upright The
storehouse built for the benefit of sail
ors and castaways of ice-bound vessels
was found broken INTO, and the clothing
and provision left there thrown in
state of terrible confusion. evidently by
polar bears, the tracks of which were
visible in every direction, both inside
and outside the building. The head
boards over the graves of Sir John Frank
Inns men, who lie buried there, were
still standing upright and in good pres
ervation.
On the 26th of August the Pandora
steamed away from Beechy island for
Peel strait, and then ensued 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
one. Struggling through the pack ice,
the Pandora steadily worked her way
onward, and despite the difficulty, soon
passed the farthest point reached by the
Fox when McClintock was in search of
Sir John Franklin's relics. Soon after
reaching that point, the Pandora near
ed the island known as King Williams
Land thus navigating sea where no
ship was ever before, except perhaps,
that of Sir John Franklin, and where,
no doubt, that explorer was finally be-
set by the masses of ice that proved his
destruction. From King Williams is
land the Pandora steamed down the
west coast of Prince of Wales land, and
here encountered most delicious wealth
er; the atmosphere was soft and refresh
ing, and the bitter cold Of the Arctic
zone was replaced by warm air currents
and open expanses of water At this
time the most intense excitement pre-
vailed among the officers and members
of the expedition. Many believed that
they would be sure to discover traces Of
the Franklin expidition, and some were
sanguine that even Sir Johns papers
would be found. In this, however, they
were disappointed.
The Pandora eventually reached Beh-
rings strait. Rouquette island was
discerned ahead. and it was then con-
sidered probable that the vessel would
| be able to reach Bellot's straits, but on
reaching Roquette island the officers and
men saw the edge Of a pack of ice, which
stretched across the strait from side to
side in one unbroken expanse of hum
mock ice, and efectually blocking the
entrance to Bellot's straits. The Pan
dora stayed at this point until the 9TH
Of September, when, finding that no fur
ther progress was possible, it was deeid-
ed to be useless to remain in winter quar-
ters, and that it would be far better to
return. next year. The return journey
was full Of difficulties, as the ice was
rapidly forming, and the passage of the
Pandora was a constant series Of exeit-
ing scenes and narrow escapes from the
moving ice foes. Finally, escaping
through Peel strait, the ice still rapidly
forming and accommodating. the steamer
reached the Carey islands 10 safety
From Melville bay the homeward voyage
was almost uneventful, the dreaded bay
being again safely passed unharmed. and
the Pandora reached Portsmouth, satur-
day, having only lost two top-gallaut
yards and two jibboom ends during the
whole voyage. and with all on board
alive and we'll
Capt Young and the officers Of the
Pandora report that. from the prevalence
Of north winds. there is abundant prom
ise that Capt Mares. with the British
government expedition, will prove sue
cessful. Should the expectations Of the
Pandora's commander be verified. Capt.
Mares win proceed to the highest lati-
tude possible for an Arctic vessel %