The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-08-18

found at Lady franklin Bay. At 1925 the de-.
fectlon OF the magnetic needle was 10f degrees
west, moro than n quarter OF o circle. As far
as Lockwood went the northeastern trend OF
tho Greenland coast continued, The maps of
the new regions he discovered are I'm tho pos
eeyeF1iy 0i mlSotendnt reey ana o., are very
Lady Franklin Bay tho magnetic needle was
never quiet except during storms.
Preparations for the Retreat.
In February, 1888, preparations for the ro-
treat were made by establishing depot at
Capo Baird, twelve miles to tho south. Day
after day tho anxious men looked on over Lady
franklin Bay, expecting tho leo TO open so
they might commence their journey toward
home. At last, on August 10, 1883, the well
come news that the Ice was open was brought.
All had been made ready, and that very day
the party embarked In the little steam launch.
Behind them they left their dogs, as they
could not be taken. Four barrels OF pork and
come seal oil were left for tho animals. Lady
Franklin Bay was crossed to Cape Baird, n
ern coast of Grlnnell Land was followed south
as far as Cape Hawkes.. Largo quantities OF
heavy leo were met and there was extrome
danger that every moment the little launch
would be crushed. Several times all tho boats
wero nearly lost.
The SuHerings OF the Men.
Tho suffering OF tho men was great. They
were now within nifty miles OF Cape Sabine.
Striking from Cape Hawkes. direct for Bates
Island, tho party was caught In the leo PACK
and frozen in ten miles south OF Cape Hawkes..
In thirteen days they drifted south twenty
flve miles on the noeg, suffering horribly from
the cold. SO they drifted TO within elovon
miles OF Cape Sabine, and were obliged 10
abandon the steam launch on September TO-
Tho pack now remained motionless for three
daye, and several times the party got within
two or tbroo miles OF Cape Sabine, only to be
drifted back by southwest gales. Five seals
wero killed and eaten while the party. wero
drifting about. Eventually heavy northwest
gale drove them by Cape Sabine, within n
mile OF Breyoort Island, but they could not
land.
A Terrific Gale.
ON september % there arose the most tor
rllic gale they had yet seen on tho Arctic
ana 6itsSr by tho tempest ,SdNi and
again and again, the spray freezing to them
and caueing thom intense suffering. Night
camo on, ono OF inky blackness. Tho wind
threw the heavy foes together, aud crash after
crash OF Ice breaking from their own floe
warned them that death was near them. No
man knew at what minute tho tloo would
break up and the waters engulf thom. The
first faint light of dawn showed them that lit.
tie remained Of the noe upon which they wore.
The sea washed anotherclose to them. Closer
ceeded in getting upon It. Tho storm slowly
subsideu, and they gained land at Esquimaux
Point, near Baird's Inlet on September 30.
Establishing Winter Quarters.
Here winter quarters wero built and scouts
were sent 10 Cape Isabella and Cape Sabine.
In few days they returned. Their report
sent n thrill OF horror to every heart. At
Cape Isabella and Cape Sabine were found
only 1,S0O rations, and from Garlington's
records they learned the fate Of tho PrOtous.
Every ono knew that death must como to
nearly all Of tho party long before the ship Of
rescue could force Its way into Melville Bay.
Efforts were maze TO sustain the spirits OF tho
men by lectures and light reading.
on October 10 the party removed TO Cape
Sabine. on January 1S Crosa died OF scurvy.
In April the ratlons Issued daily had dwindled
10 four ounces OF meat and six ounces OF
bread. Man after man died, and all hope had
fed, when, on that stormy day, tho blast OF tho
Thetis whistle reused the survivors from the
lethargy OF approaching death.
Probable Result of Arctic ENptOrR.
tIOus.
Lieutenant Greedy when asked as to his
idens upon the probable results OF Arctic eX-
ploratiOns said: ~ do not think the North
Pole can be reached unless every circumstance
hitherto found 10 bo unfavorable should prove
10 be favorable to tho party Attempting to
reach the Pole. Ii IL Ia TO be done nj all II Will be
done by way of Franz Josef Land. 1t could never
have been reached by the Jeanuettes route.
That there Is on open Polar sea am well'nlgh
certain.
"This ia proven by the Ice drifting out OF Mus
northern drift of the Polar pack experienced
minutes. Mon can stand two wintors very
well at Franklin Bay, but physical strength
rapidly deterriorates. If we had had every sup.
ply and necessary OF food, we could have lived
eight or ten years at Lady Franklin Bay"