Arctic Explorations: The Second Grinnell Expedition In Search Of Sir John Frankjlin, 1853, '54, '55

London, Edinburgh, & New York: T.Nelson And Sons, 1861., 1861. 8vo. pp. x, [11]-510. 9 engraved plates (incl. frontis. portrait), folding map, & numerous wood-engraved text illus. A nice copy in contemporary calf, gilt back, a.e.g. (some browning to plates, occasional light foxing). American naval surgeon, Elisha Kent Kane, was selected to command the second Grinnell Expedition, 1853-55, in search of Sir John Franklin, launched under the auspices of the U.S. Navy and various scientific institutions. On this voyage, Kane reached Baffin Bay and Smith Sound, discovering Kane Basin, and wintered at Rensselaer Bay on the northwest coast of Greenland. Sledge journeys and explorations were undertaken, during which Humboldt Glacier and the northern exit of the basin, Kennedy Channel, were discovered, the Cape Sabine area of Ellesmere Island was reached by Isaac I. Hayes, and the northern section of Ellesmere Island was sighted and named Grinnell Land, in honour of the expedition's patron. Hemmed in by ice, the Advance was abandoned, and the survivors managed to reach Upernavik before they were rescued by a relief squadron under Lt. Hartstein. cfArctic Bib. 8373. cfGagnon II 1106. cfLande S1157. cfSabin 37001. cfTPL 3566.. Hardcover.