HALL, CHARLES FRANCIS, 1821-71; b. N. H. lie was first a blacksinith, then a journalist iu Cincinnati, and after that carried on the business of an engraver in the same city. The publication of Dr. Katie's account of the first Grinnell expedition to the arctic regions first awakened his interest iu that part of the world, and trom that time (1853) to 1860, when he made his first expedition, his leisure was entirely devoted to this engrossing subject. This expedition was the result of his own exertions, and his equip ment consisted of two boats, with sledges, the entire outfit being conveyed northward on a small whaler, commanded by capt. Buddington. In spite of the meager character of his resources, the explorer displayed his dauntless and energetic character by his achievements, even in this his first journey. He remained two years in the arctic regions. thoroughly informed himself of the Esquimaux or In unit habits. continued his exploration until disabled by the loss of his boats, and succeeded in adding 1500 miles of coast line to the charts. Returning home in a whaler, he brought with him "Joe" and "Hannah," two Esquimaux, from whom he continued to receive instructions in the Intuit language, while he made efforts to obtain the necessary means for a second expe dition on a larger scale. Through the liberality of Mr. Henry Grinnell, he accomplished his wish, and in 1864 sailed on hoard the Monticello, capt. Buddington. He now passed five years among the Esquimaux, chiefly in King William's land, and at Repulse bay and Pelly bay. The object of these two expeditions was to obtain tidings of the lost
Franklin expedition, and in this capt. Hall was so far successful as to obtain many relics of the crews of the Erebus and Terror. He received much information from the natives, and even gained possession of a skeleton, which was afterwards forwarded to England. Hall returned in 1869, and remained in the United States eighteen months, preparing for the publication of the account of his explorations, delivering lectures, and endeavor ing to interest the U. S. government in the prosecution of still another expedition—this time, with the design of reaching the North Pole if practicable. He was fortunate in infusing some of his own enthusiasm into the prominent members of the government, and in 1870 the Polaris was fitted out for his use, and sailed on July 3 of that year. Most unhappily, capt. Hall died on Nov. 8, 1871, and the expedition came to an abrupt conclusion. The Polaris was abandoned in the ice, and a portion of her crew under capt. Tyson, floated 195 days on a floe, before being rescued. Hall was buried in the ice, on the coast of Greenland. The history of capt. Hall's three expeditions will be found in Arctic Researches (1864), and in two volumes published from his manuscripts by order of the U. S. government.