Daily Kennebec Journal

THE RESCUED EXPLORERS.

The rescue of the Buddington party, says an exchange, by a Dundee whaler, brings the history of one of the most remarkable of Arctic voyages to a most remarkable close. Probably no expedition that ever penetrated into the frozen seas was so ill equipped for encountering the dangers and trials of the Arctic winter as the party led forth by Capt. Hall. Yet it succeeded, partly perhaps by luck, partly by the courage and persistency of some of its gallant members, in accomplishing important scientific results, and passing beyond the boundaries which closed the explorations of the most distinguished of its predecessors. Broken up more than a year ago by a disaster so strange that at first men refused to believe in it, every life has nevertheless been preserved save that of Hall himself, who perished of disease in the early part of the voyage. One half of the crew floated for six months on a cake of ice, supporting life by shooting seals, and were picked up when the floe had melted away from five miles in circumference to a few rods. The other half, after wintering in a camp built from the disabled vessel, put to sea in canvas boats, and are heard of now on the other side of the Atlantic.

At last we suppose the doubts which rest upon certain portions of the story of the Polaris will be cleared away. The records of the expedition have been recovered by the steamer Tigress, and Capt. Buddington and his companions will probably be subjected to a close examination by the Secretary of the Navy. If there is any secret to be divulged we shall now get at it.