DR. KANE'S EXPEDITION. 



of his party was stricken down with scurvy, he nursed, cooked, and cared for them, oft- 

 times when enfeebled, downhearted, and scarcely able to stand himself. His naval education 

 had made him appreciate the value of discipline, but where humanity was concerned self- 

 abnegation was his leading characteristic. Kane could most assuredly be termed a practical 

 Christian. All honour to his memory ! 



Dr. Kane received special orders in December, 1852, from the then Secretary of the 

 United States navy, "to conduct an expedition to the Arctic seas in search of Sir John 



WHALE SOUND, GKEENLAXD 



Franklin." The noble-hearted American merchant, Mr. Grirmell of New York, who had 

 organised De Haven's expedition, placed a brig, the Advance) at his disposal. Mr. Peabody, 

 the American benefactor of the London poor, contributed handsomely to the outfit, which 

 was aided by several scientific institutions. The United States Government detailed ten 

 officers and men from the navy, which with seven others made up the full complement of 

 the expedition. Leaving New York on May 30th, 1853, South Greenland was reached 

 on July 1st. Several Danish settlements were visited on the way north, where they received 

 much hospitality, and obtained skins, fur clothing, and native dogs. 



As we have already seen, Baffin was the discoverer of Smith's Sound. From the year 

 1616, the date of his visit, until Kane explored it, no European or American had sailed 

 over its Avaters. The voyage of the Advance thither was one of peril and difficulty. 

 110 



