Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-10

The Pandora brought 70 England several lcttcis
from members Of the Alert and Discovery cxpcdi-
ton, some of which are printed in the English
papers. The following is Commander Markham 5
first letter.
orr CAFE SuACKLEToS,
friday, July %, 1870. j.
We are now steaming full speed-bcing beauti-
full, calm weather-toward the westward to make
the pack edge, which We shall probably do in three
or four hours time. We have had very busy
day to-day. In the first place, at six O'Clock TIL.
morning, the fog being too thick to proceed, VIC
endeavored to get into little bay on the island Of
Kipgitok, to anchor ard wait for clear weather
In doing so we ran On a rock, and remained in
movable for FIVE hours. 70 damage, however
was done. The ce-saw screws have been organ
led and officers and men appointed TO the differ
ent boats in case Of having 10 abandon the ship
Every TING has been prepared for iting The screw
and rudder and altogether We have had busy
day. Our knap:acss are ali packed ready for
leaving the ship. | am quite surprised at the
amount of water. We have as yet seen 10 pack
ice whatever. do really believe that we 60
ing to have a remarkably open season and that
we shall get as far north as cur most sanguine cX-
pectations can suggest.
Saturday, July Give have been SO far won
derfuly lucky and are ali much eatcd al the pros
pect Of success before us. We made the pack
edge about two o'clock this morning and pushed
into it, since which time VIC have been stcaming
through The ice is wonderfully open, and we
have hitherto gone on without the slightest check.
There are lanes Of water in all directions, and II
the weather will only remain fine and calm we
shall in all probability get into the North Water
tomorrow. The ice is by no means heavy, the
greater part Of ii only about twelve inches thick, by
which think it is this springs formation. If we
only have to encounter ice Of the same thickness
in Smith Sound we shall be able to steam straight
up to the North Pole this year. At present every
thing points to speedy success; but few hours
make wonderful difference in these regions. We
must hope for the best Ii We can 90 on at the
rate we have been going to-day we shall get TO the
Carey Islands on Tuesday.
Sunday, July 2j.-We have had unparalleled
success and arc actually in the north water, pass
ing Cape York. l believe our passage is almost
unprecedented. We only entered the ice of the
middle pack at two O'Clock Yesterday morning,
and at eleven TIL. forenoon, just thirty -four hours
in the ice, we emerged in the North Water. In
Guiding stoppages, we have only been seventy
hours going from Upernavik TO Cape York. We
certainly have been most fortunate in our weather
not breath OF wind since made the pack,
which was so loose TO render navigation through
it matter of ease. Everything appears favora-
bic to the northwarJ. Little ice can be seen and
all seems clear and open. We parted company
with the Discovery at six this evening. She has
gone in toward Cape York to communicate with
the natives and induce one of them, brother-in-
law of Hans, to join as dog driver. We are now
steering along the Crimson Cliffs of Beverley, with
Cape Dudley Digges ahead, on our way to the Ca
rev Islands, where we shall establish our first de-
pot and land our letters for Allen Young to pick
up. Having completed our work, we shall 90 to
Littleton Island and join the Discovery either
there or at Sutherland Island. | afraid the
Discovery will not be able to send ANY letters as
they have not sent any to us and will net visit the
Carey Islands.
Monday. July ga dense fog came on this
morning and lasted all day; so, with all the nu-
mcrous icehergs about We were obliged to go on
carefully. We shall probably get 10 at ten or
twelve o'clock tonight. ! have got all the depot
prepared for landing, so it ought not to take US
more than six honrs putting it on shore and sccur-
ing it. Tomorrow forenoon VIC ought to be on
our way to Lit;leton Island. Everything is still in
our favor. A light breeze from the northward is
blowing, which will nicely clear Smith Sound for
US. Not bit Of pack ice to be seen to-day, and
the temperature of the water is very high | be-
lieve our success Is going to be most complete.