The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-08
WILKES CONTINENT.
The Antarctic Land Of the American
Explorer EVaporated.
THE CHALLENcERs REPUTATION.
A General Review of Explora-
ton in the South Seas.

Compared with the Arctic regions the Antarctic
have melted little attention. partly because or
their remoteness from the centres OF civilization.
and partly from there being no great leading mo-
tive, such as the Northwest Passage, to stimulate
enterprise. The Southern seas have possessed,
since the time OF Columbus an interest only as .
route to the Indies; but this interest did not ex-
tend beyond Cape Horn ana the Cape Of Good
Hope. Gradually, as the world became unfolded,
stray islands we're stumbled upon here and there,
and ship being driven a long way to the south
ward Of Cape Horn found the South Orkney
Islands, and great numbers OF seals were dis
covered thereon. The whale fishery grew to be a
profitable branch OF adventurous business, and IL
was soon added to the seal fishery. As nvestiga-
lions were pushed year by year, 1t was discovered
shat the desolate islands batned by the
cold waters OF the Antarctic were almost
everywhere alive with seals. The larg-
est Of the species came to be known
as sea elephants and sea Hons and others were
discovered which produced fine fur that has
lately come to be OF great value and to be highly
priced for it's softness and beauty. SO great did
the interest become, that the
BRITISH GOVERNMENT
resolved upon an exploration, which had TINS far
been left to the whale and seal fishers themselves.
Thus Captain Cook became the first officiaIy au-
tnOrIZeQ
gions. Thus far when an island, rich with seals or
sea elephants and sea lions, was discovered, the
secret was carefully kept and often, as is so well
told IN Cooper's 'sea Lions" one ship which had
returned well laden was followed and watched
afterwards, and many were the tricks and expe-
dients to shake or an unweicome companion.
Cook crcumnavigated the world without coming
upon any extensive bodies OF land In the south.
though great deal OF ice was seen and at
one time, in latitude 90 ueg., the ice was
OF extraordinary height and grandeur,
and It came to be known as "Cook's
Icy barrier" Cook made his furthest southlng in
February, 1774, when he reached latitude II deg.
south, 40 deg. to the westward OF Cape Horn, but
there was nothing but ice there Then came Bel
ltnghausen in 1920 who struck the parallel OF 70
deg. In the South Atlantic; then weddell in 1929
who touched the same ice barrier In latitude 10 deg.
Brtscoe, In 1892 found Grahams Land and plenty
OF Ice. In 1888 Kempt found land In latitude SO
deg. south, longitude 90 deg. west Then there
came long intervene Of inactiop, when almost at
the same moment three great nations-the United
States Great Britain and France--resolved to send
expeditions for discovery around the world, ana
in the course OF their voyages they all went as
near the South Pole as they could get. These ex.
pef,ttions were commanded respectively by Cap
tain Charles wilkes Sir James Ross and Dumont
drJrville ali famous in the history Of maritime ad-
venture. D,UrviIle made the least reputation by
his daring work; Wilkes made the longest voyage
ana excited the largest snare Of public attention
by the announcement Of the discovery
n N Aptayss continent. and Boss Reached