564 DR. HAYES' EXPEDITION. 



by the late Dr. E. K. Kane, of the United States Navy. 

 Although its execution did not appear feasible at the pe- 

 riod of my return from that voyage in October, 1855, yet 

 I did not at any time abandon the design. My object 

 was to complete the survey of the north coasts of Green- 

 land and Grinnell Land, and to make such explorations 

 as I might find practicable in the direction of the North 

 Pole." 



On first laying his plans before the public, they were 

 coldly received, in consequence chiefly of the growing feel- 

 ing that the results proposed to be attained were scarcely 

 worth the risks, while the many lives already lost in the 

 cause were immeasurably beyond all the actual achieve- 

 ments in value, and would be inadequately compensated 

 for by entire success. So thoroughly in earnest was he, 

 aowever, that he resorted to the delivery of lectures on the 

 subject in different parts of the country, and after a time 

 succeeded in awakening an interest in his plans in some of 

 the scientific associations, and eventually induced some 

 capitalists and others to aid him. It was not, however, 

 till June, 1860, that he was enabled to commence actual 

 arrangements for his departure. These were rapidly 

 made ; a schooner called the Spring Hill was purchased, 

 its name changed to the United States, a ship's company 

 secured, the vessel carefully and completely stocked with 

 provisions, and at last, on July 7th, Dr. Hayes and his party 

 left Boston, in good spirits and with elastic hopes, for the 

 icy shores of Smith's Sound, which point the gallant doc- 

 tor intended to make the base of his explorations. 



Sailing directly for the outer capes of Newfoundland, 

 the " United States " narrowly escaped shipwreck on Cape 

 Race, on the 30th of July got within the Arctic Circle, 

 and on August 2nd, reached the bold promontory of Svarte 

 Huk. Here they were becalmed, but a view of the coast 

 and of some fine icebergs seems to have allayed Hayes' 

 vexation at the delay. Indeed, a note in his diary pre- 



