Year: 1876




the work was in reality the most laborlous
and difIlcult part OF the expedition. The
ships had TO make their way across sea
encountered with masses of ice, which not
only presented great obstacles TO their pro-
gress, but oflentimes threatened them with
utter destruction. The force and rapidity
of the Arctic currents entirely exceeded
the expectations of the officers, and the
rapidly with which the icebergs hoated by
kept them constantly in mind of the immi-
nent peril in which they stood; slight
error in judgment amid the mighty float
ing foes might be fatal TO the ships. In
this anxious period the vigilance of the Of
fcers was unwearying, and the men speak
in the highest terms of their courage and
coolness. The demeanor of Captain Mares
Is the theme OF universal praise. Day af-
ter day, while the ships were slowly and
painfully working their way TO The extreme
limits of navigation, Captain Mares spent
hours at stretch on the 'crow's nest' at
the foremast, in the biting wind of the
freezing temperature of the Arctic Circle,
narrowly scanning the horizon for coming
dangers, and skillfully directing The course
of the ship so as 10 avail himself Of every
breach in the ice-packs which would carry
him a few miles further towards the goal.
The spirit, energy and vigilance of the
command were admirably emulated by the
whole executive staff, and the example of
cheerful devotion to their duty set by the
officers had an excellent effect upon the
men, and kept them in fine spirits aud fet-
10 n al a, ha xuI Iol Of
the trying expedition. In the plan of the
operations the part assigned TO the Discov-
cry was TO remain as a reserve store ship,
while her consort pushed on TO the highest
possible limit of navigation accordingly,
after threading her way through Smiths
Sound, Kennedy's Sound, and Peter-
mann's Fiord, she was brought up for the
winter on the west side of Robeson's Chan
mel, where a large and commodious harbor
was found, in latitude 80 A, to which they
gave the name Of the ship. There the Dis
covery took up her quarters on August rs,
1875, and there she remained until August
20, in the present year. The ship was then
in the reign OF perpetual day, and great was
the establishment OF the n. en- at the novel
sensation of having the sun in view for the
whole twenty-fJur hours. A period OF five
or six weeks yet remained before the win
Ter set in, and il was availed of 10 make
short excursions along the coast. The in
terror of Greenland at this high latitude
was found to be impenetrable; but the
conformation OF the country as observed off
the shores of the harbor can be described
as really magnificent. The coast line was
high and precipitous, and the interior was
guarded by ranges of mountains covered
with snow, and rising 10 height of three
10 four thousand feet; the exploring par
ties everywhere found themselves in the
face of steep cliffs and slippery ascents, inn
practicable 10 climb, aud leading TO further
precipices, upon which apparently no liy-
ing thing ever walked. Upon this mys-
terious land the explorers could only cast
longing eyes, and speculate at distance
as 10 the extent and altitude OF the snowy
ranges which stretched away into the dim
distance. As soon as the ice along the
shores had consolidated sufficient TO give
a firm footway, an exploring party was
sent out, which spent twenty days survey
ing the coast. During this period the effect
of the light upon the snow mountains along
the land was grand beyond description.
On October IT, total change set in. The
sun disappeared altogether below the horl-
zon, and for 142 days the explorers we're in
total darkness, save when the moon shone,
which vas once fortnight. The interval
between the arrival OF the ship in Discov-
cry harbor and the setting in Of the winter
was occupied in preparations for this DESC
late season. Great banks Of snow were
heaped up as protection around the ship,
and the interior of the vessel was carefully
prepared to resist the riGors Of the Arctic
temperature. The deck was covered with
snow to depth OF ten feet, and the aper-
lures leading 10 the lower deck were clos
ed, save those required for ventilation or
egress. These precautions were most sue
cessful, for while the temperature in the
upper deck was between 600 and 100 below
zero, the air below was comparatively COM
Portable. The heating apparatus-hot-wa-
ter pipes at the side and centre-was a COM
plete success. A remarkable result of the
difference in the temperature between the
decks was that moisture accumulated be-
low, and used TO drop of the sides of the
cabin and upon the heads of the officers.
The tedium of the winter was relieved with
plays, books and schools. The spirits Of
the officers and OF the men stood the per-
petual darkness better than any one could
have expected, and Christmas was reached
without any material visitation OF sickness.
Christmas day was celebrated heartily with
all the customary festivities, even to the
carols of Christmas walls While the men
were at mess the captain and officers came
amongst tbem and tasted the plum pud-
ding. Then ten boxes OF presents from
friends in England were broken open and
distributed amidst hearty cheers for the
donors, for the day, and for Old England.
During the winter the men were necessari-
ly confined to the ship, aud on the upper
desk the cold was so intense that they were
unable TO remain there for any length of
time without serious discomfort.


One night an exciting scene took place on
board tue Alert. About midnight the en-
gineers were called up by the officer on
duty 10 get up steam insLanter TO allow the
enormous berg, which as slowly and ma
Jeslically crushing its way towards them.
No time was lost in ''casting off," aud the
Alert escaped by not more than 100 yards,
the large ''hummock" 10 which she had
been moored, which itself must have
weighed nearly 1000 tons, being complete
ly submerged by the monster.