Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1858-07-17
No. Ill.
Can the North Pole be Reached,

The interest in Arctic explorations which for
many years has occupied the world, has again
been excited by paper read before the American
Scientific Association, by DIR. Hayes, surgeon to
DIR. Kane's second expedition, and the favorable
action of that body upon the proposal contained
therein. DR.. Hayes considers further explorations
safe and practicable, even 10 reaching the Pole it.
self, and the Association was much impressed
with the arguments presented that a committee was
appointed to assist him in organizing an expedition.
The paper alluded to reviews the whole history of
explorations in the extreme northern attitudes,
describes critically the geographical discoveries,
the operations of the ice, currents, winds, &C.,
and fully sustains DIR. Kane's theory of an open
Polar sea- Besides the positive testimony Of Nor
ton, who alleged that he discovered it, DIR. HAYES
places reliance on various natural evidences such
as the existence of numerous birds in the upper
latitudes-which must depend for subsistence on
hsh-catchlng IN open water-warm currents of air
and water coming from the north to the attitudes
hitherto reached, the mist banks seen continually
to the northward by DR.. Kane, etc. He thinks
that by using the experience of previous voyagers
the lnsuperable obstacles hitherto encountered may
be to great extent avoided, and lays down with
much precision a route which he considers will
lead to a successful result We quote the follow
ing paragraphs from DR.. Hayes interesting paper,
in which he distinctly defines the character, move
ments and expected results offs new expedition
l have for some time been endeavoring to or
ganIze another expedition to those seas, for after
more than two years spent upon the route which
have recommended, am convinced that if the ex-
perience of the past be properly used the next at
tempt will, In all human probability, be success
fu and that it can be accomplished with far less
expense, and danger than is popularity supposed
vessel of one hundred tons, equipped for two
and a half years and manned by twelve men, is all
that is necessary. TO this might be added, with
advantage, small steam tender not exceeding
thirty tons, fitted with shifting screw /; under
certain circumstances, this little craft could be
made available in the shoal water under the land
in the narrow shore heads of Smiths Strait.
The expedition should leave the United States
early in April, and halting upon the Greenland
coast to the South of Melville Bay should procure
at the different trading and missionary posts of the
Danish Government and by the hunt, considerable
stores OF fresh meat, and furs and two good teams
of Esqumaux dogs. These stores would greatly
reduce the cost of the expedition, and would be
IN every way better than to carry all the supplies
from home. Large quantities of the flesh of
Reindeer, Birds and Seals could be readily obtain
ed. The whalers annually shoot large numbers of
Lamme and AUX Uria Ale and U. BrlnnieLii,)
about Sanderson's Hope and Cape Sharkleton,
and at the Duck Islands procure eggs Of the Elder
Duck (SOmdteTiG) almost in boat loads.
1t was the original intention of DR.. Kane to
avail himself largely of these abundant stores,
but he arrived too late upon the coast to admit of
a halt without great risk of losing his chance of
reaching his proposed ground Of search before the
close of the season. This delay was occasioned,
as you are aware, by the unfortunate sickness
which, during nearly month, prevented his de-
parture from New York.
The 'middIe ice' commences to break up
about the first of June or late In, May, and the
passage into Smiths Strait could be effected by
the first of August. Running up the coast to
Grlnnell Land | should select a safe harbor at
eligible point, as far north as the ice would
admit, and there pass the winter. / have already
expressed my belief in the practicabiity of reach
ing nearly the S0th parallel or at least feel as
sured that the little blight between Capes Leidy
and Frazier, latitude 79o 45, can be attained.
An examination Of this Bay. with the ultimate
view of one day being able to winter in it, was
made by me in the Spring of 1854.
1t is this northern coast that the small steam
er to which have referred might be servicable
under certain circumstances. During the mild
season the dissolution of the land margin of the
ice fields is considerable, and u vessel of shallow
draught propelled by steam might possibly be
able to work through Kennedy Channel to the
Polar Basin.
But this would be too doubtful a reliance, and
the main hope of success should be in the boats.
Early in the spring, the shores of Grinnel Land
should be lined with depots of provisions as far
north as latitude 81 . , where final cache should
be established for the use of the Polar boat party.
These stores to be carried forward by dogs. One
of these animals will carry upon sledge, a weight
of seventy pounds thirty-two (32) miles per day
upon an average ration of thirteen (l3) ounces Of
pemican-equal to about three pounds of green
meat and two teams of seven each. could readily
carry forward ample stores for full boats crew
of six persons. This crew should start their boat
from the vessel in April, within one hundred and
fifty miles, they would have probably, as 1 have
said, meet the open water by the middle of May,
or first of June.-N B. Ship. List.