The New York Herald Newspaper, September 21, 1873, Page 5

WE STORY OF THE ICE, Herald Special Reports from Dun- dee and St. Johns. Dr. Bessel and Engineer Schu- mann on the Death of Hall. HE DIED OF APOPLEXY. An Emphatic Denial to the Poison Rumors. THEY AROSE FROM HALLUCINATIONS, Fears of Being Shot and Dread of Being Poisoned. a You Must Siill Go On to the Pole.” “If I Die THE JUNIATA TO AWAIT THE TIGRESS, Letters of Credit from Green- land’s Icy Mountains. THE JUNIATA AT UPERNAVIK. Revelations of the Inspector of Greenland. INSUBORDINATION ON THE POLARIS. Allegations Requiring Answers from Dr. Bessel. ‘What Hall Knew of the Franklin Expedi- tion—Cannibalism. The Tigress at Littleton Island. Particulars of the Finding of the Deserted Camp. Graphic Descriptions of Arctic Scenery and Voyaging. LAND, SEA, ICE AND 8sNOW. TELECRARS §=16 Thi “yew YORK HERALD. ’ Lonpon, Sept. 20, 1873. The following despatch has been received here from a correspondent of the New Yorr Henap at Dundee, Scotland. It contains the views, in bricf, of some of the survivors of the Polaris :— Donveg, Sept. 20, 1873. I had a long conversation with Dr. Emi) Bessel, chief of the scientific corps on the late Polaris expedition, and among the rescued at this port. I give the main points of his state- ment. He said: — DE, BESSEL'S STATEMENT. We are much surprised to find from the American papers that several rumors of mis- chievous tendency, which I must characterize as silly and absurd, have been put into circu- lation concerning the expedition, and particu- larly concerning the death of Captain Hall. THE EXPLORER DIED A NATURAL DEATH. It is just possible that the government at Washington would prefer that we reserve what we have to say for a graver occasion, but we must emphatically contradict the statement that Captain Hall died any other than a natural death. ° CAUSE OF DEATH. He died of apoplexy. He was ill about a fortnight. He appeared in perfect health when entering on the voyage. I noticed noth- ing unusual in his health up to the period of his illness. THE POISON RUMOR TOO ABSURD. The rumors that he was poisoned are too absurd to be seriously entertained. The ru- mor may have been founded on the hallucina- tions of the raving patient. : ENGINEER SCHUMANN SPEAKS. Emil Schumann, the chief engineer, in the course of a conversation, said:— . HALL'S FEAR OF BEING SHOT. Captain Hall during his illness was in continual apprehension of being shot, but I ‘was not aware that any one member of the «rew more than another excited his sus- picion. THE POISON HALLUCINATION, Another phase of his mania was his deter- mination not to gat or drink unless his food was first tasted by some person. This was maialy done by Hannah, the ‘woman. When he rallied and recovered for a while the use of his intellect he would say to Cap- tain Buddington :— “If I die you must still go on to the Pole.” He would say repeatedly :— “Tt is my last wish that you strive to reach the Pole. Don't let my death be a hinderrance to the accomplishment of this great under- taking.” DATE OF DEPARTURE FOR NEW YORK. A cable message has been received by the American Consyl herp ordering the despatch Esquimau NEW~ YORK HEKALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1873—QUADRUPLE» SHEET, of the crew by the first steamer to New York. Consequently, they will leave next Tuesday, the 23d instant. Buddington, Bessel and Schumann will leave also, | The Orders to the Juniata. Sr. Jonns’, N. F., Sept. 20, 1873. The Juniata has been ordered to await here the arrival of the Tigress, and then to pro- ceed to New York. THE GOVERNMENT SEARCH. The Juniata at Upernavik—Revelations of the Danish Inspector, H. Krarup Smith—Thé Dis sensions Among the Officers of the Po- laris—Effect on Hall's Mind—His Hopes and Fears—Starting the Lit- tle Juniata—The Search of the Tigress at Littleton Island— Finding the Deserted Camp—An Over-Hasty . Investigation and Beturn South. LAITUDE 73 22 10, LONGITUDE 56 05 45 W., UNITED STATES STEAM LAUNCH LITTLE JUNIATA, TEssuIsAK, Greenland, August 2, 1873 From this, the most northern settlement of the civilized globe, really commences the search for the exploring steamer Polaris and her missing crew. Their whereabouts 1s still a mystery. Here it was that Captain Hall dated his last despatch to the Navy Department, just as he went forth on his fatal Arctic voyage in 1871. The final words of the brave explorer were hopeful in the extreme. “There is,” he wrote, ‘every reason to rejoice that everything pertaining to the expedition, under the rulings of High Heaven, is in a far more pros- perous and substantially successful condition than even I Jiad hoped or prayed for.” So far as the equipment of the vessel was concerned this was true to the letter, for never was an Arctic expedi- tion more completely fitted out; but whether he expressed the state of his own feelings; whether, in view of the dissensions on board the Polaris all the way from Holsteinborg to Disco, where, through the intervention of the late Captain Davenport, commanding the United States steamer Congress, the fast kindling fame of jealousy was temporarily checked, only to burst forth again with increased fury when restraint was gone; whether, taking into account his own sad forebodings before he bade adieu to civilization, and to which Ishall have occasion to refer, he did not exaggerate the harmonious co-operation of some of his ambitious subordinates, there is room for the gravest doubt. Howbeit Hall started on his perilous mission in no happy frame of mind, and if the facts reported both here and at Upernavik be correct he had good cause for dis- quietude, THE ROYAL INSPECTOR OF NORTH GREENLAND. Mr. H. Krarup Smith, a trustworthy gentleman, of superior attainments, ‘revealed to me a few days ago a state of affairs existing prior to the de- parture of tne Polaris from Godhayn which, while it relieves Captain Sidney 0. Buddington from a @ large share of the suspicion his boisterous de- meanor generally excited, inculpates others who, Mephistophelean like, fomented ‘the troubles that finally proved fatal to the success of the expedition. Mr. Smith, with his family, resides at Godhavn, the chief settlement on Disco Island, and being, moreover, one of the leading of- ficials in that part of the country, receives and” teats with all visitors, scientific or otherwise. When the Polaris arrived there Mr. Smith placed the governinent storehouse at the disposal of Captain Hall as adepot of supplies and in other respects evinced a great interest in the prelimi- nary arrangements for the voyage. It may be in- Jerred, then, that, aside irom those immediately connected with the undertaking, he knew more of the casus belli on board than any other living man, Being obliged at stated periods to visit each of the districts and subordinate stations within his inspectorate, Mr. Smith was absent when the Juniata arrivéd at Godhavn, but in company with Commander Braine I had the good fortune to met him at Upernavik, where he voluntarily disclosed what he claimed to be THE TRUE SECRET OF THE IL), TIMED SCHEMES AND SQUABBLES on the Polaris, First «/ all, he was not, he said, surprised to hear of Hall’s death, “I pitied him,’ he continued, ‘from the bottom of my heart. To me he imparted the source of all bis troubles and a more distracted man I have seldom seen. My house was open to al! the officers of the expedition and I had, of course, every opportunity to learn both sides of the story.”’ Iintimated that an impression prevailed else- where that the trouble, as nearly as could be as- certained, arose out of a sJecling of misunderstand- ing upon the point of superiority, “It might ap- pear so,” sald the Inspector, “to those not ac- quainted with the facts. But Buddington was only an instrument in the hands of @ third party. When Captain Hall arrived at Godhavn he was not at home. He immediately sent Chester with a boat to Rhittenbeck for me and I returned with him. It was not long beiore I discovered that a very bitter feeling existed on the Polaris, and, although Bud- dington was ostensibly the cause of the quarrel, that there was in the background a far more dan- gerous clement to contend against.” “dn what respect #7 “Let me explain,’ continued the inspector, be- coming deeply interested in the subject and speak- ing with an earnest appreciation of the situation. “As far as I could learn, no trouble manifested itself until the coast of Greenland was reached. Now it was pretty well understood that Captain Hali was not a scientific or bighly educated man, though perfectly competent to command such an expedition as that entrusted to him. Dr. Emil Bessel was chief of the scientific corps and Mr. Frederick Meyers the meteorologist, and to these gentiemen Captain Hall looked for assistance in carrying out the great object of the expedition, ‘From what I heard, however, he was disap- pointed in that direction; and although Captain Hall, fatly realizing the importance of all scientific discoveries, was anxious to afford them every facility, he was nevertheless bound to maintain his own right as commander of the expedition.” “Did Dr. Bessel or Mr. Meyer arrogate to himsel any authority not vested in him as an officer ofthe expedition’ SOMETHING FOR SERGEANT MEYER TO EXPLAIN. “Captain Hall told me in a despondent tone that both Bessel and Meyer carried on their operations without regard to his authority. For instance, when Hall requested Meyer to take an observa- tion, he refused to do so on the ground that he was responsible only to the government for his actions, Then commenced the dissensions on board which broke for ever the harmony that had previously prevailed, I believe that Meyer acted aa the mouthpiece of Bessel, who was undoubtedly an able man. In fact, it is my sincere conviction that Dr. Bessel, Well knowing his own superior qualifi- cations asa scientist, and apprehensive lest the result of his labors would redound to the credit of Captain Hall, secretly cohspired against him, using Buddington and Meyer as the instruments by which to carry out his designs.” Dr. Emi! Bessel, I may here state, was a graduate of the University of Heidelberg and a man of high reputation as a scientist. He was formerly at- tached to the German (Gotha) expedition in the Albert, which left Bremen about tour years ago, under the auspices gf Dr. Petermann, who strongly endorsed Dr. Bessel. Somewhat surprised at the statement of the In- Spector concerning the mdvements of the chief scientist, and to which little or no reference had been made during the investigation at Washing- ton, I inquired the reason that had led him to such a strange conclusion. “Captain Hall's own words,” replied the In. Spector, “After the Polaris left Fiskernaes the envious feeling entertained against Hall by some ot his subordinates was openly displayed. Aware of Hall’s deficiency in scientific knowledge, no op, portunity was lost tospeak of him in @ sneering and contemptuous tone, and as one incompetent to com. ‘aud the expedition, This feelma was logtered and encouraged, and had its det among the crew. Besides, nearly al) the sailors were Germans, and were, of course, very easily influenced by their ta, lented countryman, Dr. Bessel, although as I said before, he kept in the back ground, By the timer however, the vessel reached Holsteinborg, the ill-concealed ANIMOSITY TOWARDS HALL, simply because of his position and the supposed honors that awaited him did he prove successful, became so decided that discipline there was none, and the whole ship’s company was becoming de- moralized, When the Poiaris arrived at Holstein- borg there was in the little harbor a Swedish ex- pedition consisting of a brig and a small steamer then on its way home. Mr. Bessel had almost made up his mind to abandon Hall's expedition and re- turn with the Swedes, At the last moment, how- ever, he decided to remain on the Polaris.’ “Would his absence have affected the expedi- tion 1”? “Most assuredly. He was the only medical man on board, and owing to the existing state ofafairs more than half the ship’s company would have gone with him. In fact, Bessel was in a position he could not be well done without, and his services were indispensable, and he knew it weil, as he subsequently informed me. The impression left on me by Hall’s conversation was that no effort was spared to undermine him in the estimation of his crew. Here is anotuer point. 1 think Dr, Beasel was determined to make the expedition as much German in its character as was possible todo. He bad @ great deal of influence over the men. In writing letters to Petermann’s Review he styled the undertaking ~ THE HALE-BESSEL EXPEDITION, evidently intending that all the credit should not goto America. But if Bessel was an ambitious man he was certainly, a most accomplished physi- cian and naturalist. Indeed, I have rarely met his equal,’ “In what way did Captain Buddington show hos- tality to Captain Hall 7” “I saw very little of Captain Buddington. He was a coarse, ignorant man, and I should judge easily persuaded by those whom he regarded as superior in intellect. But I never heard Captain Hall say that Buddington was his enemy, and he tola me everything. On the contrary, from what I understood, he and Buddington were good friends, though whether a friendly feeling existed between them after leaving Disco I cannot say. Captain Hall said it was ‘his express wish that no spirituous liquors should be taken on the Polaris, but that Dr. Bessel had Tequested and obtained a supply as medical stores by order of the Secretary of the Navy. In reading the testimony taken at Washington I see that Bud- dington is accused of drunkenness, but I cannot understand how he could have procured the liquor except through Dr. Bessel.” “Did you see much of Captain Hall at God- havn #”? “Yes, every day while he was there. He was very much excited when he found that Bessel had been working against him. Dr. Bessel also visited my house several times, and being a sciéntific stu- dent myself 1 had an opportunity of forming a good opinion of his capabilities. But he spoke very dis- paragingly of Captain Hall, claiming that he was unfit to command the expedition, and that if he (Bessel) leit it all the Germans would follow him, I endeavored to conciliate him, and aftera great deal of reasoning he apparently became resigned to hus position”? MEYER INSUBORDINATE, “What was the immediate cause of Captain Davenport's intervention?” “That I cannot say; but about this time Mr. Meyer became very insubordinate, refusing to recognize the authority of Captain Hall as his su- perior, and otherwise fomented trouble. At length, when Captain Davenport was appealed to, he promptly suggested the propriety of putting Meyer in irons and taking him back in the Con- gress, a course that would probably have been adopted but for the threats of Dr, Bessel to aban- don the expedition in case Mr. Meyer left the Polaris—a circumstance which would have sealed the fate of the undertaking at the start. As I have already said, Dr. Bes- sel was the only medical oMfcer on board, and what with his influence over the men and his knowledge as a scientific observer his presence was absolutely necessary.” “How was the difficulty settled f? “Through the firm action of Captain Davenport and the good offices of the Rev, Dr. Newman, then Chaplain of the Congress. Though sorely perplexea Captain Hall finally accepted the situation. Indeed, there wag nothing else for him to do except to abandon the expedition altogether and that would have broken his: hears. Under all the circum- planceg there was evidently A CONSPIRACY ENTERED INTO AGAINST HALL, and he struggled hard to counteract its effects, He told me he would endeavor to preserve dis- cipline at all hazards and so long as the Congress remained in the harbor he succeeded. But a prej- udice had already been established against Hall, more especially as he had expressed his intention of having his men to eat seal and walras meat, in order that they could the better stand the severity of the Arctic regions, and I suppose that told to his disadvantage.” ® “Did you yourself ever notice any display of ill feeling between Captain Hail and Dr. Bessei ’” “Yes. Besides knowing of its existence from conversations I had with both gentlemen, I saw an exhibition of it in my own house. The evening before the Polaris sailed Captain Hall called on me; Dr. Bessel had alfeady arrived. They were at first very reserved toward cach other, but finally gave way to STRONG LANGUAGE, The situation was not at all agreeable for myself and wife. Dr. Bessel finally leit the house, and Captain Hall told me in a very excited manner of the dificulties with which he was surrounded; that he considered Dr, Bessel was acting as aspy on him, and that, despite all his efforts, he appre- hended farther dificulty. He then placed in my possession for safe keeping four boxes, containing all his private papers, including the result of his labors when in search of Sir John Franklin, saying that, as he might never return, he would not take them with him, and that as he did not wish to send them to America by the Congress he pre- ferréd to leave them in my charge.’ “Was any reference ever made to the contents of those papers ?”” “Captain Hall conversed more with my wife upon the subject than with me. I heard him say, however, that they contained some IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITION which had never been published, and which he haa determined to keep secret until after Lady Frank- lin’s death.” “Did he assign any reason?” “He was very reticent as to the revelations set forth in the papers, and seemed averse to have the matter brought up in conversation. But 1 understood him to say that out of sympathetic feel- ing for Lady Franklin, he intended to withhold from the public some startling facts he had dis- covered, among which was the positive proof that some of Sir John Franklin’s men had eaten each other in the throes of starvation on the journey from Prince of Wales Island. He had made a thorough exploration of the locality and found in disputable evidence of cannibalism. He had also ascertained that the character of the Esqui- maux in that part of the country was extremely bad, but he did not say much on the subject, in- tending to publish ali upon his return to America, 1 intend sending the papers to the Secretary ofthe Navy to make what disposition of them he may deem proper. Captain Hall was very anxious about them, and would nog take them with him on the Polaris.”” “From what you know of tue circumstances do you regard the death of Captain. Hall from apoplexy as a strange event *’ “TI did not believe it until the intelligence was confirmed, I thought perhaps that, accompanied by the Esquimaux, he might have made an expedi- tion north, and that, owing to the dissensions on board, he had returned by another route. But as there seems to be no doubt of the fact I cannot help thinking that, despite the, testimony taken at Washington, HIS DEATH WAS NOT THE RESULT OP NATURAL CAUSES, fiuence had been exercised over the crew to lessen e respect for her commander, and tne jealousy of some of Hall’s subordinates, taken in connection with the whole affair, leads me to the conclusion that there was foul play. I think the body of Cap- tain Hall, which, I have no doubt, is still in a state preservation, should be sought after and ex- humed.” This, and much more, the Inspector commun!- cated to me frankly and without hesitation. Be. sides, having read the facts already disclosed, he had evidently studied the subject with care; buty ag the second chapter of the tragic tale has yet to be told by those whose lives are, for the present, sealed, I shall gladly dismiss the pafnful topic until such time as when, face to face with those over wiom the clouds now hang so heavily, I shall learn the other side of the story, And now, With a sigh of relief, I recall the events of the past few days, Imust do so promptly, or be left alone in this northern wilderness, for the little steam launch will soon be away in the noble cause of humanity, I have previously mentioned that Commander Brame made every preparation for the steamer Tigress upon her arrival at Godhavn, Disco Island, in the way of purchasing dogs, skins for clothing, and depositing for her {n the government storehouse an ample supply of coaL I venture to state that rarely has such @Q amount of work been performed in such a short space of time. It is a source of some regret, however, that the sloop-of- war Juniata, which bas thus far done so nobly, is not adapted for ice navigation, otherwise the Polaris mystery would be solved in a fortnight. Never have I seen, in all my experience, a more willing and sanguine set of oMicers, from the chivalrous and popular executive oficer, Lieutenant Com- mander Edgar ©. Merriman, down to the youngest midshipman on the vessel. With characteristic courage he headed the list of volunteers for any ex- pedition the commander might deem expedient to send forth in auest of the missing party. His ener- getic efforts on board, however, could not well be dispensed with; but if ever a naval ofiicer went heart and soul into an undertaking he has certainly done all for this perilous mission that duty and sympathy could dictate. BOUND FOR UPERNAVIK. Time warns me not to dilate on scenery or sur- roundings. Both were tame and barren, and as the starving mendicant dreams of the luxurious dishes of the epicure, so did we, gazing at the rug- ged rocks, as precipitous as a jail wall, and the cheerless icebergs, without number, seemingly inviting the ship to measure strength with them, think of the sunny slopes at home, of green trees, strawberries and fans. At noon on the 29th ultimo the Juniata weighed auchor and steamed out of the land-locked harbor, The farther we went north the nearer we felt we were to the Polaris, though where she was or what had become of her gave rise to more theories and speculations than abank clerk eould count in a day. The sea was smooth as glass and the Juniata made excellent headway. As we passed the Omenak flord the glittering icebergs came bounding forth tn dozens, but since we had become pretty familiar wilh their appearance they failed to impress us with any other idea than that they should have as wide a berth as _ possible. And yet they were very grand = and Picturesque, assuming every variety of shape from an old ruined castle to a marble dry goods store on Broadway. Some were colossal in their proportions, towering above the water more than 200 feet and nearly a mile in circumference. IN A REGULAR FIX, On the evening of the second day out a dense fog rendered it impossible to see a ship’s length ahead, and although we were close by Upernavik it was deemed prudent to slow down. Well in- deed was it that such a precaution had been taken. The choking mist increased in volume, and at midnight an iceberg ten yards off might have lain in wait for us with im, punity. At two o’clock in the morning a startling cry was heard on deck, “Stop her!” “Hard aport!” and ali hands turned out as if by Magic. Not that the words betokened anything unusual in this region of eternal ice, but the sharp, ringing and stentorian tone in which they were delivered warned the company that danger was close aboard. Commander Braine was on the bridge in a twinkling. A steep precipice loomed up in the fog, and in an instant the Juniata would have struck. But the engine was reversed in the nick of time, and the noble ship, promptly answering her helm, Just escaped destruction in 100 fathoms of water. One minute later and a direful disaster was in- evitable. The pilot on the forecastle had done his duty in time. Delay was death, for the huge mountain rose perpendicularly from the sea and in case of accident, landing was impossible. But the interval was a terrible one between the time the pilot sung out and the happy moment when the vessel siewed off, barely saving her fying jibboom. Soundings showed that there was sul. ficent water to sink @ dozen fleets, and so the vessel groped her way dead slow, groping ler way through worse than pitchy darkness, only to find, however, that she was completely surrounded by towering crags, 2nd that the entrance to this well nigh fatal harbor was a mystery. And so the anchor was let go, That it was night of uneast- ness for all 1 need scarcely state; not that we were in any immediate danger, but the locality was an enigma which the dissipation of the for could pos- sibly solve. The ice pilot and the Esquimau pilot, who said he knew every inch of the way, were bewildered, and so there was noth- ing for it but patience. Never did the ness as when the black cloud of vapor began to lift, and when at length the veil was drawn aside and the situation was Jairly presented a feeling of surprise and gratitude prevailed. In the impene- trable fog we had left the coast and come with a circle of snow-capped peaks in the vicinity of Sanderson’s Hope. How the Juniata steamed through the narrow entrance in safety could not be conceived, but the circumstance of the danger | and escape will not readiiy be forgotten. 1 over- heard the boatswain make a remark that “A little | Of uuat goes a long way,” and I believed it, A WOE-BEGONE COLONY, We have ol late become s0 accustomed to scenes of desolation that even Upernavik impresses us with about as much sympatnetic feeling as docs ; the self-asserted innocence of a criminal on. the warden of a penitentiary. Time was, and that not over three weeks ago, when the sight of these Esquimaux settlements excited wonder and com- miseration, But the repeated exhibition of the , Same miserable surroundings is apt to make people indifferent, and now that another colony, as bleak and lonely looking as the mind can well conceive, perches on the naked rocks @ mile ahead, the howlings of hungry dogs, mud huts and blubber are at once suggested. Commander Braine was heartily welcomed by the Governor, Dr. Rudolph, @ genial and accomplished gentleman, who has lived over thirty years in Greenland. He proffered every assistance in the way of*procuring skins and other similar necessaries for an Arctic outiit, The doctor was once a surgeon in the Danish army, but his bealth failing him he accepted the post oo of physician to the colony of Godvavn, and was subsequently appointed as Governor of the place, He is just as refned as he is good natured, and ts well known to all Arctic explorers for his hospi- table characteristics, The ofMicers of the Juniata became quite attached to him, more especially when he cleared out the carpenters’ shop for a ball room and supplied @ native fiddler, whose master, efort was “Captain Jinks,” a com- position which was doubtiess presented to the colony by some whistling English whaler, The population of Upernavik, which is the capital of the district, numbers about 160 persons, including about a dozen Danes and half breeds. It differs very little in its general appearance from the other settlements along the coast, but being the residence of the Chief Trader it has more than ordinary tmportance attached to it. For those fond of reading statistics no better retreat could be found, THE STEAM LAUNCH EXPEDITION. This was the event of the cruise. To this peril- ous undertaking all hands had looked forward with anxiety not unmingled with hope, and now that we had arrived at the scene where the stanch little boat was to steam away still further north | officer of the gallant tittle craft, who, by the way, faces of an anxious crew beam with such Joyiul- | I have already called attention to the fact that | there existed a well founded impression among those whom experience enables them to form a sound opinion that the Polaris, if not hope- lessly crippled, was still at Northumberland Island awaiting the breaking up of the ice, and that, being well provisioned, it was highly proba- ble her crew had remained on board, Having care- fully weighed all the circumstances, and being warmly encouraged by the advice of ice pilots and others of well known experience, Commander Braine resolved to fit out the little steam launch to make a prelimmary search as far as Cape York, in the hope that some definite information woulda be obtained there by which the facture movements of the expedition could be guided. It was expected that the missing people on the Polaris would place signals at Cape York in order to attract the atten-- tion of whalers, and that thus their rescue would be effected. Incase the officer commanding the “steam launch should ascertain no hews of the Po- laris at Cape York, communication was to be made between that place and Northumberland Island, In fact, a judicious and needful experiment was to be tried while the opportunity presented itself, as the arrival of the Tigress was a matter of some un- certainty. The Cruise of the Rescuing Steamer Tigress-Her Thorough Equipment— Bound for the Seene of Action—Meeting of the Steam Launch “Little Juniata” Or Teysu ik, North Star y~Seenes of Desolation and Painful Landmarks— ‘What Was Seen from the Deck of the Tigress at Littleton Island—Polaris Camp and Surroundings—Disappoint- ment—A Hurried Search. 3 GuDHAVN, Disco Island, August 25, 1873, ‘The steamer Tigress has returned from the north. Few know itt, for it’s just daylight, and nearly all hands on the Juniata—all anxious for the fate of the missing crew—are wrapped in slumber, The ves- sel steams slowly into the little rock bound narbor; the word has passed fore and aft, and in less time than it takes to tell it the incoming steamer is watched by many with mingled feelings of wonder, admiration and fear, Has she succeeded ? : BOUND NORTH, The hopes of the expedition were centred in the Tigress. There was a charm attached to her. She had already done a noble deed, else Tyson’s party had never lived to teli iheir harrowing tale. She had been fitted out expressly for the search— strengthened, manned and equipped with lavish expenditure. The Navy Department had done its duty in the noble undertaking. In a word, the Tigress was second only to the Polaris in the thor- ougbness with which she was prepared for the Polar seas, ‘The ‘Tigress weighed anchor at St. John’s on the evening of July 26 and arrived at this port, and after a splendid passage of nine days. The Juniata had preceded her and landed coal for her use at the government’ storebouse, which the Danish authorities had kindly placed at the dtsposal of the lamented Cap- tain Hall, Sheremained at Godhayn until August 8, when she steamed away for Upernavik, in the noble mission of humanity, Two days later she hove in sight, the Juniata awaiting her arrival. The fact that nothing was then known of the Po- laris or crew seemed to give zest to the praise- worthy ambition of the adventurous party; and although they learned that a steam launch had already been sent ahead to obtain, if possible, any tidings of Buddington and his men, it was nev- ertheless hoped, and with reason, that the honors of the rescue would fall to the vessel specially fitted for the humane enterprise, Y TO THE SCENE OF ACTION. It was Sunday morning when the Tigress dropped anchor at Upernavik. Her commander manifested considerable zeal and energy in making his final preparations and was heartily co-operated with by the commanding officer of his faithful consort, the Juniata. She was again coaied on August 11, and the entire arrangements having been satisfactorily completed, steamed out to meet her for the ice and bring back to civilization the lost ones about whom the world was so much con, cerned, Amid three rousing cheers from the men of the Juniata—away far up in the riggiag, where the simultaneous shout made the weikin ring—she started on her mission. That she might succeed was the wish of all, and when, in token of fare- well, her flag was seen dipping in tne distance, her great mission was appreciated more than ever. A heartier “God speed” no vessel was ever blessed with. Prepared for all emergencies the Tigress commenced her task. How she performed it will s00n appear. OFF TESSUISAK, The hardy and intelligent hunter, Jensen, ts per- haps the most contented man in the loneliest spot in creation, a man of fine physique and indomita- bie pluck, @ full-blooded Dane and Governor of the settlement. Jensen boarded the Tigress off Tessu- isak, where she had already proved her capacity in successfully bumping against the rocks, piloted her out through the islands in the vicinity and was wansferred to the steam launch Little Juniata, whose daring and memorable cruise I have en- deavored to describe. With the timely in- formation communicated by the commanding volunteere d on behaif of himselfand men to ac- company the search expedition, the Tigress bade civilzaation adieuv, On the following morning she sithted the Devil’s Thumb, and without much ado steamed across Melville Bay toward Cape York. ‘The pagsage so far was comparatively pleasant— smoother than those acquainted with its dangers had any reason to anticipate. The Tigress did not stop at Cape York, which she sighted at six A. M. on the 13th, but skirted the shore at a distance of three or four mites, NO BIGNS OP LIFE. While hastening to reach the point of destina- tion—Littleton Isiand, where it was coufidently expected some news of the Polaris or crew would be obtained—the Tigres? hugged the land as far as circumstances would permit, but saw nothing thay warranted delay. The coast is desolate in the ex. treme, rugged and forbidding, and woe betide the ill-fated mariner whom misfortune might cast ashore. It was thought, and perhaps with reason, that the party, well knowing the anxiety their absence created, would remain until the last moment; that, with provisions in plenty anda fair prospect of deliverance, they would pot quit terra jirma until the surrounding elements warned them to depart. Everything con- sidered, the prospects were encouraging. Buoyed ‘with hope and eager to carry out the objects of the undertaking the Tigress, steamed ahead. At times«the speed was slackened, and powerful glasses were brought to bear upon the desolate shore; bat every effort was in vain. No sign of life or human habitation could be discerned, and the vessel steamed onward. Cape Dudley Digges and other points were passed in quick suc- cession. The object of the search was still ahead. Cheerily moved the stanch and stable craft, ang eyery man on board, now thoroughly aroused to the fact that a triumph was near at hand, joined in the genera) verdict that the ‘Tigress would add laurels to the American Navy. NORTH STAR BAY. Tt need not be described, It is stamped with the natural postmark of desolation, Esquimaux squatted in its vicinity, and it has its little histogy ip the feartul record of Arctic explora- tion. The Tigress cruised there in vain, Every- thing was motionless, dreary and forlorn, Pack ice was encountered, but the vessel passed through it as if chips of wood were strewn in her way. So far the capabilities of the vessel more than realized the expectations of all. She steamed around Saunders’ Island, and shortly after mid. night on the morning of the 14th of August passed Cape Abernethy, PAINFUL LANDMARKS, Tyson and some of the survivors, whose escape on the ice flo¢ so startied the world, were now on deck. What 4 recollection the present scene re- called to them! They were approaching the spot where the Polaris mystery had its birth. Strange | enough, too, Northumberiand Isiand in sight, and yet not a soul of the rescued party recognized it as the place where the Polaris was last seen by | the people on the drifting ice floe. Sergeant Meyers, if I remember rightly, stated that this was the fatal spot-—Northumberland Island— the scene where the curtain fell, so to speak, and Long ago the | sight, But the party en board did not recognize it and the inference was that Mr. Meyers had made amiustake, The Tigress having skirted the tsiane steamed ahead, There was not @ familiar land- mark to be seen, On sped the vessel past the deserted camp at Netlik—once a well known settie- ment, now bereft of refuge—and thence to Whale Sound, and still the scene was unfamiliar, Meyers’ chart Was wrong, THE 108. Hitherto the progress of the Tigress had been rapid. The season was umusually open. Had two object of the expedition been scientific instead of humane she could probably have gone farther north. than any vessel that had ever preceded her, Up to this time the obstructions were trifling, and it was not until the vessel had left Northumberland Island that the old floe ice made its appearance. But the Tigress found no dificuity in making her way, for inthe evening of the 14th she passed Cape Alex- ander and then hugged the shore of Hartstene Bay. PAMILIAR SCENES, ‘The Tyson party, or rather the few of the famous ice-floe survivors who bad accompanied the expe- dition, had hitherto remained silent, though watch- ing keenly every landmark made so painfully faml- lar by former experience. As Cape Onisen was rounded the rocks in the vicimity were at once recognized a8 those which shut out the view of the Polaris, and shortly alter the Tigress steamed toward Littleton Island. It was now continuous daylight, so that the operations were rendered com- paratively easy. Ata quarter past nine o'clock P. M. a boat was lowered and a party directed to make @ preliminary examination. All hands were on deck and the greatest inter®@st and anxiety pre- vailed. The boat had not gone fifty lengths trom the ship when Commander Greer, who was on the bridge minutely scanning the surroundings, com- manded silence, A deathly stillness succeeded, only to be broken by the faint sound of human voices which gradually became more distinct. It was thought, too, that a cheer was heard from shore, The retreating boat was ordered to pull in the direction whence the sound was heard, “ SEE THEM, I SEE THEM,’? Sommander Greer continued to examine the shore with powerful glasses, but suddenly cried, exultingly, “I see them! I see them! A thrill of emotion went through every heart. Following with the eye the direction pointed out could now be plainly seen some moving figures, wearing, it was thought, sailors’ uniforms, and a house and two tents. It was now bebeved that the great task had been performed, and mutual congratulations passed quickly ‘on the apparently successful issue of the search expedition, DISAPPOINTMENT, In about an hour the boat returned from shore, All hands crowded to the ship’s side, ready to re- ceive the joyfui news, but they were destined to be disappointed, The parties séen on shore were Esquimaux, from whom the information was re- ceived that Captain Buddington and party, four- teen inall, had passed the winter on the mainland, and having constructed two boats from the ship started south to Cape York, in the hope of meet- ing some rescuing vessel. As near as possible, the time was fixed as the middle of June, for the isquimaux counted by moons, and the date, therefore, could not be accurately deter- mined, They were also informed that the Polaris having broke from her moorings in a heavy gale lad drifted into an adjoining cove and sunk. ‘Then there was the further discouraging intelli. gence that not.acomplete record could be found by which some light could be thrown on the move- ments of the missing party, Worse than that, it was seen that the hand of destruction had been at work, for here ana there were scattcred broken instruments of every kind, torn and mutilated diaries and log books. Muny of these articies were picked up and taken to the snip. Ina tattered book was found the confirmatory news of the departure of the missing crew. Written in pencil and hardly legible was an item bearing date May, 1873, to the following.effect :— “Chester has just finished the oars from the bu’. warks of the ship, and a very good job he made of it.” There was no signature. Then in an old diary was found a statement setting forth an agrvemeat, signed by Buddington and Chester, that they would prosecute the search to the North Pole, But it was evident these resolutions had never beeu carried into effect, The hut was abandoned. ANOTHER SEARCH. These facts were narrated quickly. The effect on the, listeners was apparent. Disappointment marked every “face, Hardly satisfied with the search, and with the view of obtaintag if possibic some further satisfactory information, a boat was manned again, among its occupants this time being Commander Greer and Esquimau Joe, the tnterpreter. But the venture proved not more suc- cessful than the first, Perhaps the time spent in the investigation was by far too brief; but from whatever cause, little additional information was obtained. The Esquimaux on shore consisted of five men, two women and two children—aot now dressed in sailors’ clothes, as when first seen from the Tigress, but weartng the characteristic ap- parel of their own people. In reply to an inter- rogatory they stated they CAME FROM POND'S BAY and had passed the winter with Captain Budding» ton, who, before he left, had given them the Polaris, but that about two weeks after their departure a heavy gale came on, breaking up the ice, and that the vessel after drifting about two’ miles had sunk off the mainland, They subsequently pointed oat the place, and it was found that the wreck lay in nine fathoms of water. A small iceberg had grounded over it, No effort was made to ex:mine the sunken vessel, A SCENE OF CONFUSION, That the destruction of the instruments was de- liberate there could be no doubt, The broken pieces lay scattered about in all directions. Books. and manuscript were torn with design; bat what the object was-could hardly be conjectured, That the instruments were thus wantonly smashed by Buddington and his party it was diMcult to believe, and so the theory prevailed that the Esquimaux, unacquainted with their use, had done the damage. Some more manuscript was found, butits discovery threw no light on the subject, THE DESERTED HUT. The Esquimaux were reticent, but seemingly well disposed. They conducted the party to the deserted camp where Buddington and his men had passed the winter. The place was desolate-look- ing. The frame of the building had been made from the ship’s spars and covered over with canvas. It contained a long black walnut extension dining table and chairs taken from the ship, and ranged on either side were fourteep bunks, where the par- ties had slept. Among other articles to be seen was the ship’s galley stove, ‘The Esquim ox ha! now converted the place to their own use and turned it into a blubber honse, from which issned the peculiar smell so characteristic of the Esqul- maux habitations, Joe, the Esquimaux, conversed with the strangers, though he subsequently averred that he was NOT ALLOWED SUFFICIENT TIME to obtain any information. It was aileged, how- ever, that Joe could not speak the dialect, but that assertion does not seem to have any ground. At ail events the examination was hurried, for after half an hour the boat was quickly called away to the ship. The Esquimanx, it should be mentioned, stated that they had very little provision and no boats, and asked to be taken to Pond’s Bay, but Commander Green did not accede to thelr request, and they were left beninc, THE THIRD AND LAST TIME, Not satisfied, perhaps, with the search which had been instituted, and which had proved so un- productive of results, the executive officer and others again manned the boat and went ashore, but, with the exception of a few armfuls of books and other articles likely to prove of interest as relics, nothing important was discovered, One of the Eequimaux showed where the wreck lay, though little information seems to have been de. rived from them as to how the winter was passed, and, in fact, in relation to the circumstances of the missing crew. Had the Esquimaux been taken on board and subsequently interrogated at leis. ure, we would now, probably, be better informed on a subject only rendered more mysterious by Everytifing induces to tat opipion, for undue ip- | to cary out she nobie obiect of the noble missiou. | where the exploring vessel was Jorever lost to | CONTINURN ON TWELFIH PAGE, A NT ee ASN eT Le ent aie ttt ee