The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-12-29
HOW TO REACH THE POLAR SEA.
Suggestions Offered by Capt. II. w.
HOwgate, Of the Signal Service.

The expedition of Capt. Hall in the
Polaris, in 1871, and Of Capt, Mares in
the Alert and Discovery, in 1875. have
shown that, by the use of steam, it is a
comparatively easy matter to reach the
entrance to Robeson's channel, in lati-
tude 80 n, and that the serions diff
culties to the overcome in reaching the
Pole lie beyond that point. Parties
from the two expeditions have made
fair surveys 140 miles north of this,
leaving only about 400 miles cf unex-
plored regions between that and the
goal of modern geographers-the Pole.
When Capt. Hall reached the upper
extremity of Robeson's channel, the
lookout of the Polaris reported open
water in sight, and just beyond the pack
that surrounded the vessel and prevent
ed further progress. This open water
was afterward seen from the cape at the
northern opening of Newman's bay, and
it was the opinion of the crew of that
ill-fated vessel that if she had only been
the fraction of an hour earlier in reach
ing the channel, they could have steam
ed unobstructed over a veritable "open
sea" to the Pole itself. We know that
they did not succeed, but we're forced to
winter almost within sight of this sea,
and subsequently,, disheartened by the
loss of their gallant. commander, aband
oned the enterprise.
Where this open water was found
Capt. Mares, in 1875 and 1876, found
solid, impenetrable ice, through which
no vessel could force its way, and ovel
which it was equally impossible fol
sledge parties to work.
These facts show that within the Arc
tic circle the seasons very as markedly
as in more temperate southern latitudes
and that the icy barriers to the Pole ar
sometimes broken up by favoring wind
and temperature. To reach the Pol
r prompt advantage must be taken of sucl
, favoring circumstances, and to DO thi
with the greatest certainty and with tn
D least expenditure of time, money, an,
D human life, it is essential that the ex
t ploring party be on the ground at III
+ very time the Ice gives way and open
e the gateway to the long-sought prize
: This can be done only by colonizing
e few hardy, resolute, and experienced me
? at some point near the borders of th
e Polar sea, and the most favorable on
9 for the purpose appears to be that wheI
!, the Discovery wintered last year.
e Such party should consist of at lea
n twenty men, and should be provide
v with provisions and other necessar
, supplies for three years, at the end {
a which period they should be visited, an
d if still unsuccessful in accomplishir
& the object, revictualited and again left
o their work. The party of which ] spea
e would become acclimated, and eventua
'e ly they might accomplish the lor
J. sought end. With strong, snbstanti
n building, such as could easily be carrie
q on shipboard, the party could be mat
IL as comfortable and as safe from atmo
d, phere dangers as are the men of Il
1T signal service stationed on the SUNNI
as of Pixies Peak and Mount Washingto
/ Let an expedition be organized
d start IN the spring Of 1877, and firm
Dr. believe that by 1880 the geography
er the Polar circle would be definitely Sc
% tied, and that without loss of life.