The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-16
The Arctic Regions Utilized.

Expeditions for exploring the Arctic
appointed. They have been from time
to time organized and equipped by'eVery
maritime nation. An amount of zeal,
energy, and daring hardihood has been
exhibited in the conduct of these various
expeditions unsurpassed in any other
field OF exploration. Barren and forbid
ding as those regions are, terrible as
their physical phenomena are known to
be, there seems to be, nevertheless,
kind oftascination, to adventurous men,
in those formidable and frightful condi-
tions OF nature, leading them on to
grapple with and if tpossible to overcome
The terrors that are there enthrened on
desolation.
In every such case the world ap-
plauds the courage and hardihood ex-
hibted by the adventurous navigator
and explorer, and Immediately asks,
What good can come of it? Much as the
hero of the menagerie is applauded for
putting his head between the lions
laws, so is the applause accorded to the
Arctic explorer for his hardy but profit
less daring in invading those desolate
realms of hyperborean ice and night and
Btorms. Despite the plaudits, there re-
mains unanswered the practical ques-
lion, Ca& 6On0?-of what use is it?
But just now, as we learn, an answer
Is being gwen to that practical question.
1t is coming to be shown that those arc
tic regions contain deposits of mineral
wealth of great commercial value. 1t is
now, moreover, shown that they not
only exist, but that they are practically
Dbtainable for commercial purposes, and
that their introduction to the CONNER
Uial world is about to take place. The
discovery of these deposits was purely
accidental, and Incident to one of those
exploring expeditions; and it occurred,
in briet, after this wise.
ALI remember the expedition fitted
out under the auspices Of Capt. HALL,
formerly of this city, In command of the
POlarts. 1t will also be remembered
that difficulties and deserti0n beset the
POIdrtS expedition, which resulted in
Capt. HALLS death, and the departure
Of a portion of his men under Capt.
TYSON. OF all this, Intelligence was re-
cefved at Washington some two years
ago, intimating that the crew under
Tyson had been carried seaward on
floating Ice. The Government immedi-
ately sent out vessel in search of
Capt. HALLS party and ship. On this
search Lieut.. MINTZER, of the U. S.
Navy, was detailed for service. He was
not only seaman, but also an accom-
plished engineer and mineraIogiSt
While in this search in the Arctic seas
he visited the shores of Cumberland
Inlet. He there discovered rich depos-
Its Of mica and graphite. He kept his
discovery secret. On his return from
those Arctic regions in the naval ser.
vice, he obtained leave of absence, and
put himself in communication with GER
tain Philadelphia capitalists, to whom
he made known his discoveries. By
them measures were taken to procure |
vessel suitable for the navigation OF |
those terrible seas; she was fitted up at |
New London as for a whaling voyage to !
the polar regions. The real purpose of |
her outfit was kept close secret. The
peculiar nature of her outfit, however.
excited much comment among the old |
"whalers" of that port. Among other
unusual equipments, attention was d.
rected to three thousand feet of tram !
way taken on board-an unheard ofl
thing for catching whales.
The vessel was soon in readiness. A |
crew of thirty men was procured, among |
whom were Captain HALL's Esquimaux |
JOE, and an Arctic ice-pilot. On the 9th |
OF last June they sailed for the polar re-
gions. Last Wednesday the expedition
was reported off our coast bound for
Philadelphia. On touching at st. Johns,
newfoundland, Lieut.. Minz left the
IhiD and took more speedy modes Of