riance, and were stored with spices, gold, and gems. But it was a field which demanded greater heroism, greater endurance, and was fraught with greater perils, than any other department of discovery. This region lay far up toward the Northern Pole. It was the vast frozen land of everlasting snow-fields, of stupendous ice-bergs, of hyperborean storms, of the long, cheerless nights of the Arctic Zone. To navigate and explore these dismal realms, men of extreme daring, of sublime fortitude, of unconquerable perseverance, were absolutely necessary. And such men possessed one great element of distinguish- ing greatness, of which the explorers of more genial and inviting climes were destitute. Their investigations were made entirely without the prospect of rich reward, and chiefly for the promotion of the magnificent ends of science. The discovery of a north-western passage was indeed not forgotten; but it must be conceded that other less mercenary and more philanthropic motives have given rise to the larger portion of the expeditions which, during the progress of the nineteenth century, have in- vaded the cheerless solitudes of that dangerous and re- pulsive portion of the globe.
The following pages contain a narrative of the chief adventures and discoveries of Arctic explorers during this century. No expedition of any importance has been omitted; and the work has been brought down in its details to the present time, so as to include a satisfactory account of the labors, sufferings, and triumphs of that prince of Arctic explorers and philanthropists, Dr. Kane; whose adventures, and whose able narrative of them, entitle him to fadeless celebrity, both as a hero in the field, and as a man of high genius and scholarship.
Every reader who carefully peruses the following pa ges must be convinced that the Arctic hemisphere has now been thoroughly explored. Every accessible spot has been visited and examined by some one or other of the various expeditions which have been sent out; and that vast extent of countries and of seas which intervene from Smith's Sound and Wolstenholme Sound in the extreme east, being the remotest northern limits of Greenland, to the westward as far as to Behring's Straits, which divide America from Asia, has been examined. These limits inclose an area of about four thousand miles, every attainable portion of which has been subjected to the scrutiny of recent Arctic explorers. It can scarcely be expected that any traces of the existence and fate of Sir John Franklin still remain on the globe, which further perseverance and research could possibly reveal. Even if the great chapter of Arctic discovery and adventure should now be closed, it will constitute one of the most remarkable and entertaining departments of human heroism, enterprise, and endurance, which biography or history presents.
Little known of the Arctic Regions-Notice of Capt. Phipps' Voyage-Parry's ano Franklin's opinions on a northwest passage-Abstract of Sir John Barrow's works on Arctic Discovery-England's neglect of her nautical heroes.
Captain Sir John Ross's Voyage in the Isabella and Alexander to Hudson's Bay in 1818...
Names of the officers and men-Ships visited by the natives of Greenland-Abun- dance of birds on this coast-Gale of wind-Red snow-Lancaster Sound-The fabu- lous Croker mountains-Agnes monument-Large bear shot-Return home.
Voyage of Buchan and Franklin in the Dorothea and Trent, to Spitzbergen, &c., 1818,
Names of officers and complement, &c.-Fanciful appearance of icebergs-Ships arrive at Spitzbergen-Anchor in Magdalen Bay-Hanging icebergs-Immense flocks of birds-Dangerous ascent of Rotge Hill-Attack of walruses-Surprised by unlooked- for visitors-Devout feeling of recluses-Expedition puts to sea again-Party lose themselves on the ice-Ships damaged by the pressure of the floes-Dangerous position of the ships-They take refuge in the main pack of icebergs Vessels put into Fair Haven to stop leaks and refit-Return home.
Franklin's First Land Expedition, 1819-21...
Party leave England in the Prince of Wales-Reach Hudson's Bay factory by the end of August-Proceed by the rivers and lakes to Cumberland House-Arrive at Fort Chipewyan after a winter journey of 857 miles-Engage voyageurs and guides-Make the acquaintance of Akaitcho, the Indian chief-Push on for Fort Enterprise, which is made their winter residence after a voyage of 563 miles-Exploring excursions car- ried on during the winter--"Green Stockings," the Indian beauty-Stores and Esqui- maux interpreters arrive-Severity of the winter-Sufferings of the Indians-Party set out for the Polar Sea-Examine the coast westward of Point Turnagain-Dreadful hardships and sufferings endured on their return journey, from famine and fatigue- Death of several of the party-Mr. Hood is murdered by Michel the Iroquois, who, for their mutual safety, is killed by Dr. Richardson-Hunger and famine endured by the party-Their ultimate relief.
Farry's First Voyage in the Hecla and Griper, 1819-20,..
Names of officers serving, &c.-Enter Lancaster Sound-The Croker mountains prove to be fallacious-Parry discovers and enters Regent Inlet-Also discovers and names various islands, capes, and channels-Reaches Melville Island-Expedition cross the meridian of 110 W., and become entitled to the Parliamentary reward of £5000 -Drop anchor for the first time-Land on the island-Abundance of animals found- An exploring party lose themselves for three days, but are recovered and brought back-Vessels get into winter-quarters-A MS. newspaper published-amateur plays performed-Observatory destroyed by fire-Scurvy makes its appearance-Crews put on short allowance-An excursion of a fortnight made to examine the island-Ships get elear of the ice-But are unable to make further progress to the westward, and their return to England is deter minod on.
Parry's Second Voyage in the Fury and Hecla, 1821-23 ... .... ... ... .... ... ... .... ...101
His opinion as to a northwest passage-Make Resolution island, at the entrance of
Hudson's Strait-Dangers o the ice-Fall in with Hudson' sBay Company's ships, and emigrant vessel, with Dutch colonists proceeding to Red River-Two immense bears killed-Description of the Esquimaux-Surveys made of all the indentations and coasts of this locality-Ships driven back by the current and drift-ice-Take up their winter- quarters And resort to theatrical amusements again-Schools established-Great severity of the winter-Surveying operations resumed-Intelligent Esquimaux female affords valuable hydrographical information-Perilous position of the Hecla-Her miraculous release-Ships pass their second winter at Igloolik-The Fury and Hecla Strait examined-Ice breaks up-Ships driven about by the current for thirty-five days-At last gain the Atlantic and make for England.
Clavering's Voyage to Spitzbergen and Greenland in the Griper, 1823.....
Conveys out Capt. Sabine to make observations-Reach Spitzbergen-Proceed thence to Pendulum Islands-Northeastern coast of Greenland surveyed-Captain Clavering and a party of nineteen men carry on an exploring expedition for a fortnight-Meet with a tribe of Esquimaux-Ship puts to sea-Make for the coast of Norway-Anchor in Drontheim Fiord-Observations being completed, ship returns to England.
Is sent to survey and examine the straits and shores of Arctic America-Arrives in
the channel known as Roe's Welcome-Encounters a terrific gale-Is in imminent dan- ger in the Bay of God's Mercy-Suffers from another fearful storm-The ship being quite crippled, and having lost all her anchors, &c., is obliged to return home.
Names of the officers accompanying him-Arrive in New York and proceed through
the Hudson's Bay Company's territories-Winter at Fort Franklin on Great Bear Lake-A pioneer party proceeds to examine the state of the Polar Sea-Return and pass the long winter-Descend the Mackenzie in the spring-Party divide; Franklin and Back proceeding to the westward, while Dr. Richardson and Mr. Kendal, &c., follow the Coppermine River-Franklin encounters a fierce tribe of Esquimaux at the sea-After a month's survey to the eastward. Franklin and his party retrace their steps -Find Richardson and Kendal had returnd before them, after reaching and explor- ing Dolphin and Union Strait-Another winter spent at Fort Franklin-Intensity of the cold-Large collection of objects of natural history made by Mr. Drummond— Franklin's struggle between affection and duty--Party return to England.
Captain Beechey's Voyage to Behring's Strait in the Blossom, 1825-26..
Parry's Fourth or Polar Voyage in the Hecla, 1827...
Plans and suggestions of Scoresby, Beaufoy and Franklin for traveling in sledges over the ice-Names of the officers employed-Ship embarks reindeer on the Norway coast-Experiences a tremendous gale-Beset by ice for a month-Anchors at Spitz- bergen-Sledge-boats prepared for the ice journey-Description of them-Night turned into day-Slow progress-Occupations of the party-Lose ground by the southward drift of the ice-Bear shot-Notices of animals seen-Reach northernmost known land-The islet named after Ross-Return to the ship-Parry's subsequent suggestions on this mode of traveling-Sir John Barrow's comments thereon-Opin- ions of this perilous ice journey-Review of Parry's arctic services.
Captain John Ross's Second Voyage in the Victory, 1829-33.......155 Ross seeks official employment from the Admiralty on another arctic voyage-is re- fused-Funds are furnished by Mr. Felix Booth-The Victory steamer purchased- Engages his nephew, Commander James Ross, as his second in command-List of other officers-Ship encounters a gale, and is obliged to put into Holsteinberg to refit -Proceed on their voyage-Enter Lancaster Sound and Regent Inlet-Reach Fury Beach-Find abundance of stores there, and preserved meat in excellent condition- Replenish their stock-Proceed down the Inlet-Perils of the ice-Vessel secured in Felix Harbor for the winter-Esquimaux visit the ship-Furnish very correct sketches of the coast-ommander James Ross makes many excursions inland and along the bays and inlets-Explores Ross's Strait, and pushes on to King William's Land-Diffi- culty of distinguishing land from sea-Reaches Point Victory and turns back-Ship gets clear of the ice, after eleven months' imprisonment, but in a week is again frozen in, and the party are detained during another severe winter-Further discoveries made, and Commander Ross plants the British flag on the north magnetic pole-In August, 1831, the ship is warped out, and makes sail, but after beating about for a month, is again frozen in; and rather than spend a fourth winter, there being no prospect of releasing the ship, she is abandoned, and the crew make for Fury Beach-Provisions and boats taken on with great labor-Party erect a canvas hut, which they name Soin- erset House-In a month, the boats being prepared for the voyage, the party embark, and reach the mouth of the inlet-Barrow's Strait is found one compact mass of ice- They are obliged to fall back on the stores at Fury Beach to spend their fourth winter- Placed on short allowance-In the spring they again embark in their boats and succeed in reaching Lancaster Sound-Fall in with whalers-Are received on board the Isabella, Captain Ross's old ship-Arrive home-Public rejoicings for their safety-Rewards granted-Resume of Captain John Ross's services.
Captain Back's Land Journey in search of Ross, 1833-34..........168 Attention called to the missing expedition by Dr. Richardson-Plans of relief sug- gested-Public meeting held to consider the best measures-Ample funds raised-Capt. Back volunteers-Leaves England with Dr. King-Voyageurs and guides, &c, engaged in Canada-Party push through the northwest country-Dreadful sufferings from insect pests-Reach Fort Resolution, on Great Slave Lake-Motley description of the travelers and their encampment-Arrangements are completed, and the journey in search of the Great Fish River commenced-Frightful nature of the precipices, rap- ada, falls, ravines, &c.-Meet with old acquaintances-Obliged to return to their winter quarters-Dreadful sufferings of the Indians-Famine and intense cold-Noble conduct of Akaitcho, the Indian chief-News received of Captain Ross's safe return to England -Franklin's faithful Esquimaux interpreter, Augustus, endeavoring to join Back, is frozen to death-A fresh journey toward the sea is resolved on-Provisions for three months taken-Indian encampment-Green Stockings, the beauty-Interview with the chief, Akaitcho-Arduous and perilous progress toward the sea-Pilfering propensi- ties of the Indians-Meet with a large friendly tribe of Esquimaux-Reach the sea, and proceed along the coast to the eastward, unable to arrive at the Point Turnagain of Franklin-Privations of the party on their return journey-Difficulties encountered in re-ascending the river-Reach Fort Reliance after four months' absence-Pass the winter there-Captain Back arrives in England in September, after an absence of two years and a half-Dr. King follows him in the Hudsons Bay spring ships.
Back's Voyage in the Terror up Hudson's Strait, 1836..
Ship arrives at Salisbury Island-Proceeds up Frozen Strait-Is blocked up by the ice, and driven about powerless for more than six months-Cast on her beam ends for three days-From the crippled state of the ship and the insurmountable difficulties of the navigation, the return to England is determined on-Summary of Captain Back's arctic services.
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