DISASTROUS POLAR EXPEDITION. (Alta, May 11 )

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 195, 9 August 1873, Page 3

DISASTROUS POLAR EXPEDITION. (Alta, May 11 )

A DESPATCH from St. John"-, N R, lUin 9, t>a-ss tun itoamer Walrus arrived fiom (liomsiJ iMici\ »t ]>oil St 'olni tlint morning, bringing news tli.it the ".ttUiiier Ti^rc* had come into Kobert's Bay, 18 miics from New York, having on board 19 survivors of Hull* Arctic evpi'ditum, who vero picked up in an open boat J-'J mile* irom Ihe Labrador co.ist in lat. 53deg 30mm Tin 1 following me tin* names of | the rescued : — H C. IVon. .-H-1-.tant navigator; Fred. X Meyer, meteorologist; John Hono»i, «tewnrd; W. C Kruga, Fred. Jamka, Wilh.nn Xindeinnn, Fred. Auting, Gustavus T. Lingist, Peti r Johnston, William Jackson, seamen; Esquimaux Joe, mterpieter ; Hannah and child, Esquimaux ; Hans Christian of pane's expedition, Hans Christian's wifo and four children, the youngest only eight months old. Tins paity, which had been landed on the ice from tho Polaris, were driven from her by a gale which burst her moorings on the 15th October, 1872, in lat. 72 deg. 35imn., and then drifted southward on the ice for 196 days. When last seen the Polaris Mas under steam and canvas, making for the harbour on the east side of Northumberland Island. She had no more boats left. Of the six which she brought with her from the port of New York, tyro were lost in a northern expedition, two were landed on the ice with Captain Tyson's party, one was burnt as firewood to make water for the crew, and the other is on board fie Tigress. The Polaris was m command of Captain Buddmgton, who had 13 of the crew along with him, and a plentiful stock of provisions. Her bow was somewhat damaged. It is tho opinion of the survivors that they will be unable to get olear until July, and even then, if the ship is iui»eaworthy, they would have to make new boats to effect an escnpj. On the Bth of October, 1871,$ in lat. 81 deg 38min , long. 71deg. 4-knin , Captain Hall died of apoplexy, and was buried on shore. They orected a wooden cross to mark his grave. He had recently returned from the northern sledge expedition, in which lie had attained a latitude of 82deg. lGmin. He seemed in his usual health, and had called the crew into the cabin to encourage them with the hoj es of future rewards, and stimulate them to renewed exertions, when he was suddenly struck d)wn and expired, to the grief of those around him, to whom he hat} endia ed himself by his kindness and devotion. In September, 1871, the Polaris entered winter quarters, an,d left August 12, 1872. The ice was very heavy, and set in a southern direction She was forced south, and so continued drifting till Captain Tyson and party vrere driven from her. The sledge party crossed Kanes Polar Sea. which' they pronounced to be a strait about 15 railea wide. There was an appearance of open water to the north. The rescued party suffered very much during their dreary drift from hunger and cold. For the last two months they ate raw seal and polar bear, as they could get it. When met by the Tigress they chow csi evident signs of their great sufferings, but during the nine days that they have been on board they have imptoved vastly , and are now m f<ur health. A despatch from Washington says the news of tho disaster to tho Polaris nftected the President deeply, as he had hoped the enterprise of the Government in this direction would redound to the national honour.