Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-08-03

and whalers have followed il for long dis
tances, but not with view to solve the
polar problem. Their experiences, how
ever, go to prove that the western route is
more practical taan the eastern one, and
on the top of their discoveries comes the
theory of the distinguished Capt. Silas
Bent, who, IN series OF papers that we
have previously motto, 4, ably maintains
that Behring Strait is the only gateway
through which such an expedition can
pass with hopes of success. This idea has
also been championed by Prot. T. d
Maury, an eminent authority in ocean
currents. Capt. Bent's opinion is that the
great kuro-siwo currents, originating about
the equator and sweeping past the coasts
of China and japan, and known to enter
Behring's Strait, passes to the open Polar
sea, bearing with it to the last some Of the
heat OF its original waters. This theory is
new adopted by most of the few men com
petent to form sound estimate OF its
value. To reach the Polar sea, therefore,
1t is only necessary to steam or sail, or
drift with this current, and the yoyager is
inevitably torne thither. The current can
be kept by the simple expedient of FIRE
quent thermometrical soundings. The
presence of warmer water below the sur
face will always indicate the currents
whereabouts. Such is barren statement
of the great hypothesis expounded by
Messrs. Bent and Maury, with an sffiuence
of testimony and Illustrations. Ii has COM
manded SO much attention and confidence
among men of science, in America and
Europe, that we had almost taken II for
granted that the coming expedition would
put it to the proof. In this we are disap-
pointed.
But that which an American expedition,
under patronage of the American govern
ment, will not do for an American idea,
a French gentleman, named Octave l'avy,
proposes to undertake at his own expense
and risk. He is about to try The Benring
Strait route. He VIII leave San ran cisco
July -, and proceed to Pctropaulszl,
Kamschatka, thence overland TO Cape ia.
kan, on the north coast Of Siberia From
this point he will sail, in boat Of peculiar
construction, to the North Pole. or It's
neighoorhood. the boat is made Of gutta
percna covered with canvas like the y on
pareii, which safely crossed the Atlantic,
and on the same principal as the sports.
mans raft, lately exhibited at the Office Of
this paper 1t will float 10000 pounds
weight. and can be rolled up small and
packed on sledge-so that NJ. Pavy can
sail with safety or journey with his com
pressed boat over the ice at pleasure. His
party will consist Of three natives and
four Europeans, making, with himself
eight in all. They will be well provided
with the necessaries for the expedition,
and expect to receive the assistance of
Russian officials in Siberia. We regre:
that NJ. PAWS purpose had not been
made public long enough ago to enable
the American believers in the Behring
Strait route to Use their influence toward
procuring for him slice of the bounty
which all goes to Captain Hall. We DO
not know NJ. PAWS opinion of Captain
Bent's theory of thermometrical sound
ings, but trust that he will try it, Whether
he does or not, we confess to having as
much faith in the good result of his ven
ture as in that of Captain Hall.--NeU
York Journal Of Commerce.