New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-03
ARCTIC DISCOVERIES.

THE CLAIMS OF DR. HAYES OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
VALUE OF OBSERVATIONS by EYEsIGHT ONLY
NoRTHERNMOsT LIMIT or EXPLORATIONS IN
THIS HEMIsPHERE.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR In DR.. Hayes's interesting letter pub
lished In THE TRIBUNE Of the 26th inst relating to bis
own aud other Arctic discoveries. he offers very good
reasons why his own and DR.. Kane's success was no
greater he rather strangely ignores the fact that
Capt Hall and others of the Polaris party actually trav
eled over which he imagined and claimed TO De Gov
cred by the Polar Sea- DIR. Hayes says THINK Imay
therefore claim the discovery the most northern known
body OF land the globe. for on the Greenland sos
Capt Hall did not extend the surveys OF DR. Kane 80 a
north. as he sighted my own surveys" The seduci
not logical II the survey was not connected how did
that prevent Capt. Hall seeing land north OF what Dr.
Hayes saw The simple reason. however why kanes
surveys not connected with HANS Dy the fodrM
party was latter too FAR north to do IL
DR.. Kanes surveys were, moreover. so inaccurateJ
made, that party travelling southwark from the
Winter quarters Of the Poars, walked over tho I'm
aeoary site which he had ascribed to Cape Constitution
and were only able to see with their glasses that proe
tion far the south Of the position ascriDed 70 IL
Again. DIR. Hayes in speaking OF Hail. lie was ID
ship in dog sledge, but the open sea was 10 poto
our eyes the samc" Not at all 1t was very different
Where the Doctor an open Polar sea, Han IN tno
PoIaris saw narrow strait out Of which opened horh
and bays. The Poaris party never saw, or Thought
they saw any "ilimltabe" open sea. but on the con-
trary on both sides them before them at their
highest still land to The extreme east ana west, and De-
fore them ice and water by slow currents which
indicated not an open Polar but large bodies OF
land probably islands The value OF surveys MADE In
the Arctic regions by eyesight only is very doubtful
hence as Capt. Hail. Capt Tyson. and others OF tue
Poars party sailed and walked region far 10 the
north of that attained By any previous explorers IN ms
hemisphere it's 10 say the least rather CURIOUS na,
HAYES should attempt deprive them OF tnelr iaures
nv such an urisubstanal claim as the above. ,
let us look at few simple facts. Dr. Hayes wntercd
admrabe perseverance and courage Travelled by sledge
up the west coast 80 ST. The Poaris wnered anoyo
o9Sv Depetrated TO 500 49, Capt Hail. with his com
panons, Travelled by sledge on the east OF % ~
saa le to the E. With quite much dislincaess
as 1t could have possible for DIT HAYES 70 see S,Po
moi namedl far beyond what DR.. Hayes ia his book
claimed to see, and which, 'hereioe' oou" "o' w
The simple proposition is: Which was likely to ses
furthes north, Capt Hairs party AT -! 10 or III
at $40 81 The question answers itself. -.
Not only Can't Hail. out subsequently, Capt Tyson and
Others went both by boat and on land up 10 HeWans
Bay the southern headand OF which FAR above Hayes
highest In my recent History OF the Poaris Expeot
ton published by Harper Brothers there Is gwen ~
ts Nor fhdP so c pan ne ready to test practically
whenever the Government or private entefpIise iut
nishes the means And here wish 10 suggest ,n Az.
hereafter attempt To organize an expedition loi ic,
that the only WAY 10 81 e esd seDo
attainments excellent additions 10 practcai expert
ence but will not compensate for any lack IN tna re-
spect and the tested quality OF endurance is only sec
ond in Importance to that OF nautical skill IN
tom and fama TTa ft no n snopiy the place OF
good Judgment founded on experience any more than
know ledge Of Lan VII help eonmah1er 10 avo1
should be chosen provided his heart Is ia tue work anu
such it would not be difficult to INDICATE when tue
time comes for selection L. VALE oiAhh'
Neir- York, Sept. 80 1874.