The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-11
ARCTIC EXPLORATION.
The Ice OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the
Polarine-The English Ambition to
Reach the North Pole.


Reach the North Pole.
From the London Times, August 3o]
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMEs:-
feel obliged to Mr.. Potter for having pub
lished his sons letter. giving information relative
to the position OF the Ice, and trust the following
remarks may add to the interest OF the subject.
When, in company with Mr.. b. Leigh Smith last
year, collected all the Information could relative
to the position OF the ice which enabled me on my
return home to foretell the warm winter that fol-
lowed. told many friends of this and also in
January foretold the bitter cold winds we were
subject to In the spring. The ice last year, owing
to q succession OF southerly gales in the north
accumulated there, when many small whaling
vessels were taken unawares and frozen In The
effect OF sudden change IRON open water to a frozen
sea, and rce cefsd Just at the time Of the equinOc-
tial gales Is probably the cause OF their existence
The local effect OF the ice on the atmosphere is very
great, raising strong winds, that tend towards the
larger blocks or fields of ice although at the same
time 1t Is vsibly blowing in contrary direction
few miles away. The ice which Mr. Potter says, on
July A, Is too much at present to enable them to
get further north, Is probably washed by open
water on the northern side, consequent the space
ton gained from Norwegian fishermen VINO visit
these parts was that the ice does not leave clear
open water north OF Spitzbergen before the middle
OF July, and then only in an open season,
although they nave opportunities to get by earlier
before It sets down In great quantities on the
coast. Mr.. Smith has, therefore, already accom-
plished great things. Should the favorable season
which was anticipated Tor Polar exploration occur,
and open water be found in the far north
the same reason which led US to form an opinion
last Winter causes us to suggest that this year we
shall probably have northerly winds IN the latter
part OF Sc pteinber and late equnoctia gales bring
Ing the ice far south, which will necessarily be fol-
lowed by early Winter with much frost. Hope this
suggestion may prove useful to some, and that
those interested in Arctic explorations Will be glad
to hear that the Poarine vessel built or thin ron
incapable OF standing any great pressure, has sue.
cessfuly stood the Arctic winter in the Sptzbergen
Seas without detriment to herself which Is another
proof that this route is the only safe one for north
ern exploration, especially whom compared with
the disasters Of the Polars. Mr.. Smith, in his
yacht IN latitude 81 deg. 80 min., September, 1871
had the sea open to the north before him, with
fair wind the order was given TO his captain to
steer north. The fears OF being frozen In by Nor
wegan crew unprovided with furs for the winter
overcame their courage and when Mr.. Smith came
on deck again the opportunity was gone-they
had altered course TO the south. The same cause
will probably be the only one to mar the present
attempt. Could Mr. Smith have got up TO the edge
Of the Dack this year " tS month Of MAY, II might