The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-25
A NEW EXPEDITION.

NEW EXPEDITION.
Now, let us have BY all means Q new
Polar Expedition, to cooperate harmoniously
with the English IN the field which Is ours
by right and is conceded BY every
nation. No known land upon the globe
stands so near the Pole the land there discov-
cred BY Americans and this land bears American
names. We lind there Grinnell Land and Grant
Land and President Land and Washington Land.
and we have Robson Strait aud Kennedy chan
mel, and we have Cape Jefferson and Cape Constl-
tuition and Cape Union, and we have our dag noat-
ing nearer TO the Pole thar any flag has ever been
planted upon the land, and this, TOO, within less
than 500 miles OF the Pole do not believe that
the obstacles In the way Of the accomplishment
OF these 500 miles are 50 serious as Is
generally supposed. I know BY experience
what 500 miles Of travel In that region means,
Tor have made 1t twice over with sleds in Smith
Sound. ana with open boats have made 1000
miles OF travel through ice and over the ice in
Baffln's Bay. The conditions of the and air
cannot be more severe in the immediate vicinity
or the Pole than in the regions which have ira.
versed ana, indeed, there Is very strong evidence
TO prove that the climate about the Pole Is more
mild than twenty degrees further south. while
am equally persuaded there Is less Ice and more
water, which, by Its contact with the air. pro.
duces MODIFICATION OF the climate. During
my journey northward from Port Foulke.
across Kane Basin. 1 encountered . steadily
increasing temperature, which was more
rapid than the corresponding increase that
took place on board the vessel - was
shown by subsequent comparison. This, how.
ever. Is only OF multitude o; facts tepdng to
confirm a theory, long entertained, that the cold
est spot on the earth Is not the North Pole The
climate at Polarls Bay was very moderate, accord
ing 10 the meagre rel orts which we have from
the Polaris Expedition, and the sea did not close
up until long alter the winter had fairly come
upon the party. The vegetation seems to have
been quite rich, presenting striking contrast to
the meagre vegetation OF the Greenland coast iur.
tner south, While musk oxen, which have become
extinct In the vicinity OF Smith Sound, were dis
covered by the Polarls party, In considerable num-
bers browsing upon the rich pasture lands which
were discovered.
CONGRESSIONAL AID.
cannot think there Is any doubt that, II the
subject be properly presented to the congress Of
the United states. sufficient approx riauon will
be made to continue this line OF exploration, In
which American enterprise has become conspicu-
GUS In peculiar line OF scientific research, and
think 1t would be pity TO ALLOW any other nation
to step In and reap the reward which seems only
TO be awaiting another effort. TO see England
swallow It without division il. / confess, some.
thing OF o mortlncalion, especially when consider
tnat no corresponding project is at present under
consideration by the American government. The
cost OF such an enterprise would not be great-a
mere tribe compared with the good results to
come; and as for men, the navy, con-
spicu1us Tor Its gallantry intelligence and
public spirit, possesses officers like Command.
ers Greer and Merriman aud Lieutenant
Commander II. {. White. whose experience In
connection with the Polarls search has qualified
them Tor such enterprise. Indeed You could
hardly go amiss IN the selection OF officers. as well
to command to take subordinate places 10
the organzaLion OF such an enterprise, while az
for crews tney could be obtained ior that service
more readily than Tor any other. The vessels are
already made to hand. Newfoundland possesses
feet OF fine steamers OF about 300 tons each
built expressly for the Arctic seal fisheries.
Sheathed with wood and iron and WITH solid iron
cutwater they are able to penetrate the ice with
but little risk. They are built upon model which
admits oil their rising under pressure rather than
nave their sides stove In, the case with the
PolarIs, which, constructed without any vie N
to such Arctic navigation, although atrength.
ened as perfectly as any vessel could be
strengthened and fitted in every way
worthy Of the government, was totally unit
LOT Ice eucouuIers, huo, therefore, Win the
first shock sne went to pieces. The value OF these
vessels Is not above $4,000 $780, OO and THINK
1t a misfortune that wnen the government had the
TIgress which ID one or the best Of the neet, In
their possession, she was not retained for iurtner
enterprises OF this character. ANY one Of these
vessels. however, could undoubtedly DO readily
secured.
As Tor myself. IL Is well known those Interested
In Arctic explorations that have not lost any Of
my III crest IN the subject, and that II an expedi
ton should be organzsa oy private means stand
ready aud Wiling always to take command OF 1,
aud to lead Is into the field OF mi old connicts. Il
Congress should appr oprlate the funds to organize
an expedition under tue auspices OF the navy, the
command would. suppose. naturally devolve
upon o laval ofdcer; bus IN any case, whatev vel
may be done. stand ready at any time to give my
hearty cO-operal ion, whether 1t be In practical
ADVICE or In practical work. 1. l. HAYES