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of ice surrounded the pole; and that in order to reach open water, if 

 such existed, a way must be found through, or over, the barrier. 

 Dr. Kane, after an intelHgent consideration of the discoveries already 

 reported, aided by the illustrations derived from his personal observa- 

 tion during his first visit to the Arctic circle, concluded that the most 

 practicable course lay up Smith's Strait, which he accordingly fol- 

 lowed upon his second vopage. The difficulties encountered by him 

 were such, that after many gallant efforts, he was compelled to return 

 to the United States without becoming an eye witness to the physical 

 condition of the region towards which his labours tended. It seem- 

 ed therefore proper for your committee to inquire whether those dif- 

 ficulties were clearly of so constant a nature in relation to all similar 

 attempts, as to render it prudent on the part of the Society to avoid 

 encouragement of a project v/hich his experience may have shown to 

 be impracticable. It appears that the most important impediments to 

 his complete success were — 1st. The arresting of his vessel and her 

 permanent confinement by the ice, in a situation which was unfa- 

 vourable to the efforts of his exploring parties. This occurred in a 

 bay to the south of Kennedy channel, with an exposure to the main 

 pressure of ice, which accumulated in hummocks on the north of his 

 position; and thus the labour necessary to any exploration towards 

 the pole, was in disproportion to the strength of his crew, and the re- 

 sources at his command. On the west side of the channel, under the 

 cover of the projecting land visited by Dr. Hayes (to the most promi- 

 nent point of which the name Cape Frazer was given), the ice is re- 

 ported as free from the impediments above stated ; and a good har- 

 bour is reported to exist for wintering a ship, with egress by tlie 

 opening of the channel, or through leads in the ice during the Arctic 

 summer. The account published by Dr. Kane, shows how large a 

 proportion of the sufferings and disappointments of his exploring par- 

 lies was due to the position into which he was forced. 



2d. The want of fresh provisions. The unavoidable delay of Dr. 

 Kane's departure from New York beyond the period proposed by 

 him, prevented his collecting, near the Danish settlements in Green- 

 land, the fresh stores which abound in that neio-hbourhood. Orio;!- 

 nally contemplating a single year's work, he was detained beyond 

 his expectation, with scanty supplies, until his men, worn out by ex- 

 cessive labour and restricted mainly to a salt diet, became the victims 

 of fearful assaults of scurvy. His narrative shows how much of his 

 disappointment is due to this cause. His dogs, indispensable auxilia- 

 ries, were unable to subsist upon salted meats; and thus the entire 



