238 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



The vessel was properly prepared for her journey at the 

 Navy Yard in Washington, and proceeded first to New York. 

 The party consisted of Captain C. F. Hall, in command; 

 Captain Buddington, ice -master; Captain Tyson, sailing- 

 master ; and H. Chester, as first mate. The scientific corps 

 was composed of Dr. Emil Bessels, as chief; Mr. R. W. Bry- 

 an, as astronomer; Mr. Frederick Meyer, as meteorologist; 

 and several assistants, together with a crew ; and the Es- 

 quimaux Joe and Hannah, and their adopted child, who had 

 been with Captain Hall in previous expeditions in the North. 



The vessel left the Navy Yard on the 20th of June, and pro- 

 ceeded by way of New London to St. John's, Newfoundland, 

 and thence to Disco, which point they reached on the 17th 

 of August. The frigate Congress was sent as far as Disco 

 for the purpose of carrying coal and other supplies, which 

 were 'needed in greater quantity than could be taken direct- 

 ly by the Polaris. Parting company at that point, the Polaris 

 proceeded to Upernavik, where she took on board another 

 Esquimau family, consisting of Hans Christian, his wife and 

 three children, and then continued on her northward voyage. 



On reaching Tessuisac a supply of dogs was obtained ; and, 

 leaving this point on the 24th, they encountered very little 

 interruption on their northward course until they reached 

 latitude 82 16', the northernmost point ever attained by any 

 vessel. 



It soon became necessary to go into Avinter-quarters, and 

 the vessel was finally anchored in Thank God Harbor pro- 

 tected by the Providence Iceberg, on the east side of Polrais 

 Bay, in latitude 81 38' N, longitude 61 44' W. ; the land- 

 ing taking place on the 3d of September, 1871. 



On the 10th of October Captain Hall left the Polaris for a 

 sledge journey to the north, and returning after an absence 

 of two weeks, on the 24th of October he was taken ill short- 

 ly after going on board, of paralysis of the left side of the 

 body, and died on the 8th of November. 



During the winter scientific observations were kept up, 

 and early in the following spring several efforts were made, 

 both by sledges and by boats, to prosecute explorations far- 

 ther to the north. This, however, was found impracticable ; 

 and, the vessel having suffered severely by the ice, it was con- 

 sidered prudent to return homeward, Captain Buddington 



