CHAPTER LIII. 



CHARLES FRANCIS HALL'S LAST ARCTIC EXPEDITION IN THE POLARIS — 

 THE PREPARATION FOR THE EXPEDITION— THE HIGH HOPE WITH WHICH 

 IT STARTED — THE FIRST NEWS FROM IT — PICKED UP ON THE FLOATING 

 ICE — THE TIGRESS SENT IN SEARCH — HER FAILURE TO FIND THE EX- 

 PLORERS — HALL'S DEATH — THE POLARIS ABANDONED AND SUNK — JOUR- 

 NAL OF A VOYAGE ON FLOATING ICE. 



On June 29th, 1871, Charles Francis Hall sailed from New 

 York on an expedition he had enthusiastically urged, and by 

 which he hoped to reach the pole. After months of urging, 

 the government had been prevailed upon to grant its aid, and 

 with the assistance of private individuals careful preparations 

 had been made in order to provide all that experience could 

 advise to ensure success. A screw steamer, rigged as a schooner, 

 had been purchased. She was of 400 tons capacity, and her 

 name was changed from the Periwinkle to the Polaris. Her 

 sides were strengthened by adding a sheathing of oak planking, 

 six inches thick ; her bows were made solid, covered with iron 

 plates, and an iron point added. Her screw was so rigged 

 that it could be unshipped when there was any danger from ice. 

 She was also provided with a double sot of sails, spars, blades 

 for the propeller, another rudder, and other appliances. Specr* 

 attention was given to her supply of small boats. One of these, 

 capable of carrying four tons, weighed only two hundred and 

 fifty pounds, and was so arranged that in a few moments it could 

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