Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-01-31
The Arctic Expeditions.

There nre now three or four expi-
ditions in the Arctic Regions, endeav-
oring to reach the North Pole. First,
the German expidition, which follows
the plan for reaching the Polar Sea
devised by DIR. Petermanr, which is
to 90 up on the east side of SpitZber-
gen. Second, Captain HALLS expedi-
ton, which goes up Baffin's Bay to
Jones Sound. Third, The expedition
which started from San Francisco,
last summer, intending to penetrate
the Arctic Sea by way OF Behring's
Striat. Fourth, A Swedish expedi-
ton, which proposes to winter in the
north part of Spitzbergen, and try to
reach the pole next summer. The
Swedish explorers follow the direc-
tions of Professor NOrdensjoid, who
preseribes the route along the east side
of Spitzbsrgen. We are not quite
sure that this Swedish expedition has
actually sailed, although it was in
tending to leave this year but it
will go next summer, If 10 has not al
ready or, rather, if it did not leave
previous to September, as 1t is impOs-
sible to sail to the north part of fSpitz-
bergen later in the season. PrOfes
sor NoTdensojoid puts forth some
rather curious views of the Artie Sea,
which summarilly disregard facts al
ready established. He begins by de-
nying the possibility of an open
Arctic sea, and maintaining that
whoever reaches the north pole must
travel on the ice from about TS0 Of
north latitude. The nOn-existence OF
an open polar sea, he says, Hhas been
proved by scienee.n Like some 9th
er learned men, he seems to give more
attention TO speculatiOns than to facts,
and substitutes his theory for science
The existanee Of an open sea near
the pole is shown by the discoveries
of the Russian explorer, Wrangell,
who examined the coast and ocean
north Of the eastern part Of Siberia
and by DR.. Kane's expedition, some
members of which actually went TO
the open sea across the ice. The truth
Is notwithstanding what the Sweed-
ish Professor says, science suggested
the existence Of an open sea around
the pole, and the deduction Of science
has been verified. The most import
ant point now to be settled concerns
the possibility Of sailing Into that sea
by way Of some other passage through
the surrounding belt. The German
expedition appears to have reached
the open water reported by Wrangell,
which is believed to be a part CT the |
open polar sea visited by Kane's men. !
A fnlI report of this exploring voyage,
when it shall be completed, Is likely !
to add som ething to our knowledge /
of the Arctic Sea.
The discoveries and adventures OF
the expedition which went through I
Behring's Strait win probably have
no hack of interest. Captain Hall
can hardly do more than was done by /
DR.. Kane, even If he should have very
good success for his progress north
ward is sure to be stopped by the ice
belt, and to get a view Of the open sea
he must make long Journey en- the
ice. As to the Swedish expedition.
we hope it may have great success,
and contradict the dogmatic theory
ofProfessor Nordensioid by its discov-
les. 1t may do this, should next sea-
son be so favorable as to bring down
the northern line Of the iee-belt
below the eightieth paralell.- Worees-
ter Spy.