CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE POLARIS EXPEDITION. CHARACTER OF THE VESSEL. ITS OUTFIT, 

 CREW AND OFFICERS. IT LEAVES NEW YORK IN JULY, 1871. ARRI- 

 VAL AT, AND DEPARTURE FROM, UPERNAVIK. REACHES THE HIGHEST 

 LATITUDE EVER ATTAINED. VALUABLE DISCOVERIES. WINTER QUAR- 

 TERS IN THANK-GOD HARBOR, POLARIS BAY. CAPTAIN HALL'S SLEDGB 

 EXPLORATIONS. His DEATH AND SOLEMN BURIAL. SUBSEQUENT MOVE- 

 MENTS OF THE POLARIS UNTIL A GALE SEPARATES HER FROM THE PARTY 

 ON THE ICE-RAFT. 







As we have intimated in the foregoing chapter, on 

 Captain Hall's return from his second expedition, the in- 

 terest in Arctic explorations became intense throughout 

 this country, and Congress, echoing the prevalent senti- 

 ment, determined to fit out and send a well-appointed ex- 

 pedition, under the command of the now renowned Hall, 

 and appropriated a considerable sum for the purpose. 

 Without entering into prosy details, we will but remark 

 the steamer Polaris was selected, thoroughly equipped, 

 completely provisioned, manned with a fine crew and a 

 full corps of efficient officers appointed. The vessel was 

 probably the finest and the best calculated for the enter- 

 prise that has ever gone into the Arctic regions ; but one 

 fault has been found with her, and that was a deficiency 

 in steam-power. And everything was done that her com- 

 mander's vast experience could suggest to make her out- 

 fit, supplies and crew just what their grand mission de- 

 manded. The gallant captain's own estimate of the pros- 

 pects of this voyage may be gathered from his own words, 

 uttered while the vessel, etc., were in course of prepara- 

 tion. 



"I have demonstrated in my own person that white 



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