The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-17
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

A TALK wITRCAPr. NARES-THE ALERT AND
Observation-Disclosures PREPAzs-
ATOMS.
Concerning the new British discovery
expedition, which has since sailed, as was
noticed at the time in the Sentinel, the
English correspondent of the New York
Times writes: Last evening your CORES
pondent had the pleasure of being present
at a dinner given by the Mayor of Ports
mouth to Capt. Mares, Capt. Stephenson,
Commander Markham, and the whole
body of officers belonging to the Alert
and the Discovery, the two Arctic
ships on the point Of leaving England
on a voyage OF discovery to the polar
regions. Quite large party of distinguished
people we're present, and the evening was
marked with unusual cOrdiality of feeling.
OF course there were the usual speeches and
stoasts, and at late hour, the party dis
.persed ia the best of spirits. During the
two hours preceding the "repasp' chat, / had
a somewhat protracted conversation with
Captain Mares, from whom obtained much
information. Is was on the first day of
August last that Sir Henry RawlinsOn, ac-
companieG by the president of the Royal
Geographical Society, and by the late
Admiral Sherard Osborne, had
an interview with Mr.. Disraeli, and
placed before hin the advantages
-
few months later the first lord of the treas
ury wrote SIR Henry that the British gov
eminent had determined to lose no time in
organizing a suitable expedition for this
purpose. The selection of the vessels was
intrusted to Admiral McClintock, and the
command OF the expedition was assigned to
Captain Mares. As a matter of fact the
beet of ships wore selected, their equipment
has been made perfect, and officers and men
whose hearts are thoroughly in the work
have been selected from vast number of
volunteers. The route has been well chosen.
the orders have been drawn up with extreme
care, aDd,the voysgers go forth with the
EXPERIENCE or THEIR PREDECESSORS
from all nations to guide them. The Alert
and Discovery will sail from Portsmouth
doubtless before this letter Will have reached
its destination. The day fixed for their de-
parturs is Saturday. the 10Th inst, the date
on which the Queenss birthday Is to be OBJ
served. They will make straight for Disco,
in Greenland, where some sixty dogs to be
employed in the expedition are to be taken
on board. It Is believed that the voyage to
that point will occupy about two weeks.
Thence the ships will sail through Melville
Raw, and as far north possible.
Her Msjests's ship Valorous will ac-
company them with coal and provisions
TIE PREPARATIONS Incidental to the equip
mert OF the Alert and the Discovery sre well
nigh completed. The enormous amoQnt OF
provisions and stores to be shipped has
necessitated the greatest skill in packing, so
that no space might be wasted. Every hole
and corner which could be made available
has been utilised. All of the provisions are
on board save that of flour. which Is to be OF
two kiass. One sort Is called raw flour.
This will he the first to be used, as it Will
keep only for one year; but the rest, being
OF better quality. will be nc tor use Tor
three year, OF the two sorts of flour nearly
10000 pounds weight will be put on board,
the best kind, ~ hich takes up less room than
the other, being slowed away IN large iron
tanks, aud the other in barrels. The Alert
will carry I'VE tons of spirits OF wine for
cooking purposes. 10 tons OF bread, 50 tons
OF beef, pork, bacon, coffee, sugar, -four and
preserved meats. All the meats on board,
except thai which isssted, will be preserved
IN small round tins OF two sizes-four and
SIX pounds respectively-and will comprise
beef and mutton, both roast and boiled;
1nmp steak, bacon, oysters ana French had