The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-08

with our Antarctic continent ana establishes
beyond all cayll the correctness of our assertion
that we have discovered, not range OF detached
islands, but q vast Antarctic continent. How far
Captain Ross was guided IN his search BY our
previous discoveries Will best appear by reference
to the chart, with a full account OF the proceed
tngs OF the squadron, which sent to him. and
Although have never received any acknowledge
ment OF their receipt from him personally yet |
have heard Of Their having reached MS 9 "a u.s.
however, do not complain, and feel only the JUS
tiabe desire to maintain the truth in relation to
q claim that is indlsputabe. The following mar
ratlve must, feel satisfied leave no doubt in any
unprejudced mind OF the correctness OF the
assertion that we have discovered q vast contl-
nent bat would ask in advance, Who was there
prior to 1S40 either In this country or in Europe,
that had the least idea that any large body Of land
there that now doubts the fact, whether he admits
1t to be vast continent or contends that Is only
Examine all the maps and charts published up
to that time, and upon them VIII any traces OF
very best Of reasons-none was known or
even suspected to exist. We ourselves anticl-
pated no sucn discovery; the indications Of i
self did not venture 10 record in my private jour-
nal the certainty OF land until three days alter
those best acquainted with It's appearance in these
high latitudes were assured or the fact: and
finally, to remove all possibility Of doubt and to
the case, views OF the same land were taken from
the vessels in three different positions with the
bearings OF Its peaks and'promontories, by whose
intersection their position Is nearly as well estab-
ltshed as the peaks OF any Of the Islands we sur
veyed from the sea.
covery gradually wore away and towards the
close OF the cruise Of the VIncennes along the icy
baca 'ne mar ana Of n av
much that the log book, which Is guardedly silent
as to the time and date Of its being first observed,
now speaks throughout OF the land'"
ROSS DISPUTED THR EXISTENCE
OF the Antarctic continent altogether and D'Urville
claimed the original discovery OF an outlying por
rion OF 1t, nearly midway between Ross discovery
and the "Termination Land'' OF wilkes, to which
he gave the names OF Claire Land and Adelia
Land.
After the discussion over these discoveries was
ended very little was said or heard in relation to
the matter until the
VOYAGE OF THE CHALLENGER
again opened the subject by the letter OF Lieu
tenant Hynes, which we published on Tuesday
last. Meanwhile the English charts nave steadily
ignored the existence OF Wilkes Continent by
never publishing anything more than simply his
Termination Landu upon them. In this we can
perceive something OF national Jealousy. All ex-
plorers are natural rivals, and the nations they
represent are not slow TO stand by their country.
men, oftentimes to the great confusion OF
geography, and In this instance, while the Eng.
lish charts ignore the Antarctic Continent OF
Wilkes altogether, the American charts display it
conspicuousIy. The Challenger is on q voyage OF
discovery around the world. Her object Is mainly
to make deep sea soundings, which, In certain
ATTITUDES, will have a conspicuous bearing upon
the laying OF future telegraphic cables The
deep sea currents, with their temperature
and the animal life at great depths,
are also considered in their Investigations, and
many important results, quite in antagonism with
previous theories have been already published.
The Challenger left the Cape OF Good Hope Decem-
Der II, 1873, en- route for Kergueen Land tthe
Desolation Island Of Captain Cook, which lies on
the Antarctic Circle, In longitude 10 deg
east, and where one OF the parties Of the United
States steamer Swatara, which sails to-day, is to
be landed for the observation OF the coming
transit Of Venus. Passing on the way the Crozet
group where another party Is to be landed from
the Swatara), they reached Kerguelen Land
and then stood southwark and eastward to look
alter Wilkes ConClnent. Kerguelen Land Is de-
scriDed as having DC was then the Antarctic sum-
mer) much the same clmate as the winter OF Eng
land, the temperatEe ranging from % deg. to