Washington Telegraph

The discovery of the open Circumpolar Sea appears to have been made by a Russian officer thirty years ago. This was Lt. Wrangel, who, somewhere about the year 1824, advanced by sleds across the ice from the northern coast of Siberia, due north to the open sea. Lieut. (now Admiral) Wrangel took frequent soundings during the trip, and found the water shallow, with a mud bottom. The climate became more moderate as he made northing. According to his estimate of his position at the margin of the polar ocean, he must have been near the parallel of 82 degrees north, on which Dr. Kane was when he saw the same sea, almost on the opposite side of the pole. Lt. Wrangel concealed provisions in the ice as he advanced, which he cut for supplies on his return. The party slept in lodges warmed by a spirit lamp, which also cooked their meals. Their sufferings were not as great as those of the land parties that have gone out from the British exploring ships.