Year: 1875

ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD BY CABLE.


LONDON, Oct. 16, 1875.
The Pandora arrived safe and sound
ut Portsmouth this afternoon, after an
adventurous and eventful voyage in
the Arctic seas. Mr.. MacGahan, the
HERALD correspondent, telegraphs brief
outline of the experiences and events of
the expedition.


From his hurried narrative it appears that
the Pandora arrived safely at Disco and left
that port on the 7th of August, reaching
Upernavik in time to leave there on the
18TH


THE DREADED MELVILLE BAY.


After sailing from the port Of Upernavik
the Pandora crossed the dreaded Mel
vile Bay without any mishap, for, con-
trary to previous expectation, the usual
fields of pack ice were not visible, and
almost clear sheet of water was found.
Consequently the passage was made in good
time and in smooth water


A DISAPPOINTMENT


In due time the expedition reached Carey
Island, where Commander Young antici-
pated finding dispatches that might
have been left there by Captain
Mares to be taken to the British
Admiralty. In this he was disappointed, as
40 signs of the government exploring ex-
pedition were visible.


ICE DIFFICULTIES.


There being nothing further to be done at
The island, Captain Young decided to steer
for Lancaster Sound, and, on reach
Ing that point, encountered for the first
time the ice foes. So great was the
pressure of floating ice that it was with great
difficulty that the Pandora was forced on her
way.


BARROW STRAIT.


Despite the ice and the difficulty Of pas
sage Captain Young succeeded in traversing
The entire length of Barrow Strait, making
the passage in good time. The Pandora's
progress was then impeded by dense and
binding fog, which was so thick and i'm
penetrable that men few feet from each
other were invisible


REACHING BEEcHY ISLAND.


Moving slowly and cautiously by compass
and soundings the Pandora made such
headway as to reach Beechy Island on the
e5th of August


THE YACHT MARY.
When land was sighted considerable ex-
citement was caused among the crew by
the discovery of the yacht Mary which
had been drawn up on the beach by Captain
Ross, in 1850. The Pandora anchored, and
1t was found that the yacht was still stand
ing with masts upright.


POLAR BEAR DEPREDATIoNs.


As soon as the steamer Pandora arrived at
the anchorage off Beechy Island several Of
the officers and crew went ashore and made
an examination of the buildings. They
found the storehouse built for the
benefit of sailors or castaways of ice-bound
vessels broken into. On entering the build
ing the visitors found the clothing and
provisions left there to be in
state of terrible confusion. EVERYTHING
Of movable nature was scattered about
in the most singular manner. At first it
seemed to be the act of human beings, but
On further investigation the Pandora people
we're satisfied that the destruction of the
stores had been accomplished by Polar bears,
as the tracks of those animals were visible in
every direction, both inside and outside the
building.


FRANKLIN HEADBoARDs


One of the most interesting discoveries
made by the Pandora officers was that the
headboards over the graves of Sir John
Franklin's men who were lying buried there
we're still standing upright and in good
preservation.


CRITICAL PER1oP.


On the 26th of August the Pandora
steamed away from Beechy Island for Peel
Strait, and then ensued the most critical
period of the entire voyage, for the steamer
encountered vast fields Of pack ice. which