Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-03
The Polar Expedition.
From the New London Telegram.


The initial steps in the long talked-ot
search for the open polar sea will soon begin.
Steadily and rapidly the oyerhauling of the
schooner Florence progresses. With such
energy is the work pushed that there is
reason TO look for her clearance from this
port upon the 20th OF July, instead of the
18th, as heretofore set by Capt. Tyson for
her sailing. The fund upon which the sue
cess of the expedition depends, itself de-
pending upon private contributions, has late
ly been Increased by II gift of $500 from Mr.
c. A. Williams of Haven, Williams u Co.
That firm also made "A very liberal reduction
from the Price agreed to be paid by the gov
ernment for the Florence. 1t is expected
that congress will make an appropriation for
the expedition, which with the fund already
established, will be sufficient to sustain
prolonged search The Florence will be
manned by crew drawn mainly from New
London mariners. She may touch at Fro
bishers straits upon her course. but her
headquarters will be on Cumberland Isle, to
a port of which vii. be drawn a stock OF sup
plies upon which the main expedition is
to subside in its hazardous and long drawn
search.
The main expedition villa now arranged,
sail from New York about July /, 1873, reach
ing Disco Isle. a month later, and while there
be joined by Captain Tyson about August 3.
On that date the crews of the two vessels will
combine and commence their cropping in the
dark and chill of an Arctic winter for the
point for whose location men have searched
at Intervals for three hundred years, without
the recompense ola gratiiied desire, and died
IN the bleak lands OF the north with hopeand
ambition yet unsatisfied. That their search
will he successful Howgate and Tyson in no
way doubt. These brave gentlemen, the
first of whom has spent his own money freely
as water that the expedition might assume
tangible shape, take up the perilous task with
an infinite faith in its ultimate result. They
think nothing of the danger and hardships
attending the effort, and make Il sublime
sacrifice that the world may know something
of its undiscovered lands. Both are expert
enced navigators, young and energetic. How
gate, modest, quiet and determined, brings
To- the expedition theories drawn from the
experience and discoveries, so lar us they are
known, of the dauntlesS explorers that have
preceded him, and the long and patient study
of such sciences as have bearing upon the
great undertaking
Tyson has passed the greater part of his
life III the whose iarthest confines he is
to explore. The man who for siN months
kept up ceaScless fight with what seemed
certain death IN the Ice Hoes Oi the Arctic
ocean, and 10y coolnoss skill and nerve
brought himself and companions safely out
OF Il mighty danger, has stuff in HIM not
found in common men. He speaks of the
prospective exploration hopefully and enthu-
silstically. He fears no sickness among the
crew, for experience has taught him that
scurvy can gam no hold upon men who drink
freely of blood and eat freely Of fresh whale
and seal meat. In his long drifting in the
ice foes he gave his men the flesh of the seal
and deer cut freshly OH, dripping with blood.
1t was not unpalatable, and whoever ate of it
could defy the scuryy scourge. The moss
and hchcns which grow i'll the bleak land his
men did not touch, finding them not particu-
larry pleasant TO the taste and inviting dis
ense Whale steaks. he says. have rcsem-
blancc i'll taste 10 the flesh of the deer. To
the crews of the two ships will be added II
score of Esquimaux and Esquimau dogs and
sledges will form part OF their outfit. Ii is
these latter that Tyson Is to secure upon his
preliminary expedition. lie has in earlier
voyages had occasion to study the habits of
the EsuuimauN, and he has decided To take
from among them band of Wild hunters
who are noted for their courage skill, and
hardy, robust physique All the details oi
the undertaking will be carefully arranged at
the start, and once begun, there will be no
turning back. We shall stay there, sir.
until we find the north pole, Tyson says. and
the quiet, determined manner of the man
give assurance of "a tulfllment of his great
hone