CAPT. HALL'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Southland Times, Issue 891, 31 January 1868, Page 3

CAPT. HALL'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The St. John's (N.S.) Chronicle publishes the following. — " From Capt. Chapel, late of the steamer Nimrod, we have the following information respecting the doings of Capt. Hall of tlie Franklin Exploring Expedition : " Owing in a great measure, to the selfish and inconsiderate conduct of some American whaling masters, Capt. Hall was unable to procure a team of dogs to prosecute his journey. He therefore started on a six weeks' sledging' tour, in the hope of being enabled to secure a team, and was accompanied by two natives. During the progress of the journey they fell in with a party of hostile Esquimaux, but Mr Hall succeeded in procuring 40 dogs in exchange for some old tin pans and knives — articles of much value in that region. From information received from the natives, Mr Hall determined upon prosecuting his enterprize the coming winter, and made every arrangement for the purpose, depositing supplies of provisions at easy stages along the proposed route. From these n&tives he learned that at about the time of the loss of Sir John Franklin's vessel some ■white men carried a dead body on shore, and built a brick vault, which they carefully cemented, and in which thay deposited the corps, afterwards covering the vault with heavy stone flags. This body Mr Hall believes to be the re- ; mains of Sir John, and his intention is to visit the locality and satisfy himself upon the point if possible. Since, however, this region is ; inhabited by hostile naives, Mr Hall has < thought it necessary to take with him a small i force of white men. To secure this he offered < $500 in gold each to any five men from the whal- 1 ing fleet who would accompany him. Of course he secured his men. and all hands will start this i fall on their journey, so that it is not improbable i that next summer we may receive definite infor- i as to the resting-place of Sir John Frank- ' lin. Capt. Hall has "secured many valuable i articles formerly owned by Sir John's party. < "Capt. Chapel informs -us that the Arctic 1 fishery has been a complete failure, nothing like < it having occurred during his 21 years' ex- : perience. He was happily instrumental in saving the officers and crew of the Pioneer, commanded by his brother, and owned by R. H/ Chapel, Esq., of New London."