The New York herald., 1878-11-28
NEWS FROM THE EOTHEN.


SEARCH PATTY NEAR DEPOT IsLAND-sup-
POSED RELIC OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN DIS
COVERED
LEY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALDl
New LONDON. Conn, Nov. ~. 1873.
The schooner Lizzie r. Simmons. belonging to c.
A. Williams 4 Co., James w. Bnddngton. master. ar
rived in this port yesterday morning. twenty-cight
days out from Cumberland Inlet, with 100 barrels oil
and 1900 pounds whalebone. The simmons left New
London on May 81 1877, and arrived in Rcpulse
Bay, July 90. of the same year. The out
ward voyage marked by light winds.
During the month of August the Simmons enconn-
tered large bodies OF ice. drifting downward. Con-
tinucd southery winds were felt from the middle of
August to the middle of September. During the last
three weeks Of August, 1877 the schooner COM
pletely blocked in Repulsc Bay by ice.
IMPRISONED FIELDS
From the 1st to the 25th Of September 1877, mod
crate northerly winds blowing. On the latter
date the Simmons became ieebound and remained
until the 9th OF August, 1878. This. however, is not
unusual circumstance as vessels are frequently
locked by Ice in that locality during the months last
named. During the winter of 1878 Captain Bud
dington kept thermomeirical record. but reports
mild and open season in comparison to other win
tcrs which he has passed in the Polar regions while
five preceding voyages. No severe weather was
experienced until March, 1873 when the average daily
thermometer marked 30 degrees below zero.
AN OPEN wArEn WITHIN SIGHT.
While icebound open water flowing within fif-
teen miles of tho vessel but neither natives
visited it. The simmons left Rcpulsc Bay for Cum
bcrland Inlet August H. 1878. and arrived in the
latter port on September TO- 1873, remaining there
until October 30 when she sailed for home. On the
day OF the departure of Captain Tyson for this port
September IL, 1878, Captain Buddngton visited him
board the Florence. Budlington says. referring
to Tyson's statement that the natives predict mild
and open season during the coming winter tha. he
never saw the country look bleakcr more wintry
than in September last. The land was covered with
unusually deep SHOWS and ice Of extraordinary thick
ness. He prophcses open fall and thinks ice will
form late but does not venture any prediction as to
the severity of the present winter During her voy
age the simmons took two Wholesome on August
and the other September G. 1877.
NEWS OF THE EoTHEN
On the 10Th Of August 1878. she spoke with the
exploring schooner Eothcn. Lieutenant Schwatka
commander, Captain Thomas Barry navigator. The
Eothen was then cruising for whales in the vicinity
of Cape Fullerton promontory thirty or forty miles
east of Depot Island, III Hudson's Bay. Lieutenant
schwatks and the scientific party then on Depot
Island. Esquimau Joe was deer hunting with
natives. The Eothen reported sighting two whales
that day, but did not succeed i'll capturing them
The Simmons and Eothen parted company that night
The vessels did not meet again. Captain Buddington
understood that the Eohon to winter in Repulse
Bay though Captain Barry said she might winter at
Marble Island 100 miles southwest of Cape Fullerton
One Of the natives who with Buddington in
the winter of 1877 presented him solid silver table,
spoon of English make, found in Repulse Bay. On
the handle is engraven q crescent of flowers in the
centre Of which is armoral design. 1t is badly
worn Us to be almost undeciphcrable but is thought
to represent the family crest OF Sir John Franklin
The native says it given to him by another
native who asserts that it is relic Of the lost
plorer. Concerning the existence OF, open Polar
sen Buddington who has bcen further north than
Repulse Bay and Cumberland Inlet, has no theory.
In regard to Captain Tysons belief in the non-
existence of Nh open sea because vast quantities
Of ice drift down from the extreme north,
Buddington says this ice may be that made
fur to this side Of the locality where open
Polar sea is supposed to exist The Simmons
left in Hudsons Bay the brigs Abbott Lawrence, A.
J. Ross Isabella. and the schooner Abby Bradford.
all from New Bedford The latter vessel had taken
two large whales the others clean. From the lst to
the 10Th of October. 1878, the Simmons had fine
weather. but from the latter date to entering port
encountered continued gales, with generally
southerly Winds The homeward passage was un-
usually long. 1t should have occupied more than
sixteen days. she being fast sailer. moderately
fast vessel could have made the passage in twenty
days, with fair wind. Buddington's first voyage
north was made with Tyson in the vessel which, in
1882 picked up the abandoned ship Resoute sent ont
by the British government to search for Sir John
Franklin's party.