APPENDIX NO. IV. 
329 
island; but, after passing Cape Bullin, found the field-ice firmly 
packed, which we coursed from shore to shore, without any opening 
to induce a further attempt. In the mean time we became firmly 
beset; and the weather, becoming thick with snow, led me to suppose 
for a time that we were in our winter quarters; but, by dint of steam 
and a powerful bow, we succeeded, after twenty-four hours’ heavy 
battering, in relieving ourselves. Returning off the cruising-ground 
of our consort, and not seeing her, I ran north as far as Cape Comber- 
mere, where we were again opposed by a solid barrier of the firmest 
ice; thus having made nearly the whole circuit of the northern part 
of Baffin’s Bay, with the exception of a deep indentation between 
Capes Combcrmero and Isabella, which, from its ice-bound and cheer¬ 
less appearance, forbade the idea of any one having attempted to land 
on its shores. We then returned, and, in company, visited and exa¬ 
mined Possession and Pond’s Bays, firing guns, burning blue-lights, and 
throwing up rockets; but here again we were disappointed, and I un¬ 
hesitatingly deemed it my duty to proceed forthwith to Upernavik, 
feeling confident that the party had gone there through Melville Bay,— 
no uncommon undertaking, as the crews of many whalers lost in the 
ice had done so before. Therefore, on the morning of the 31st of 
August we again pushed on for the ice-barrier, which we passed, 
after many difficulties and narrow escapes, in one of which the vessel 
was, in a snow-storm, brought in collision with an iceberg, against 
whose sides she was thrown most ruthlessly for several hours, to our 
apparent inevitable destruction, but from which she was finally released, 
with slight damages to her starboard upper works. 
In conclusion, I would add, we are all well; and, should we not meet 
with the missing party at Upernavik, shall again proceed north and 
winter in the ice. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
II. J. IIartstene, 
Lieutenant commanding Arctic Expedition . 
Hon. J. C. Dobbin, 
Secretary of the Navy ) Washington , D. C. 
Report of Lieut. IIartstene to the Hon . Secretary of the Navy. 
United States Barque Release, New York, October 11, 1855. 
Sir :—I have the honor to report the arrival here, this day, of the 
Arctic expedition, with Dr. Kane and his associates, who were 
