Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-08-16
THE HONGATE EXPEDITION.
The New Polar Expedition and What it
is Expected to Accomplish.

Inc eyes OF the Sclent1flc world have
watched with anxiety the departure from
New London, Conn, this week, of the
little schooner Florence, for the Arctic
regions. The schooner is manned by
ten seamen under the command of Cap
tain Tyson, who had the Polaris in
charge when it was cast upon the ice
drifts three years ago.
Captain Howgate, who originated this
expedition and has managed the affairs
of It's preparation, is not an officer of
the navy, as [ see frequently stated, but
an officer of the Signal Corps of the
Army, second in command to General
Myers, "Old Probabilities He has the
immediate charge of the Signal Service,
managing its details, while General
Myers has a general supervision. Cap
tain Howgate is man of middle age,
quiet in his manners, and very modest.
His whole life has been spent in science
science especially
and he can tell you all about the wealth
er's uncertain disposition and the reck-
less habits of storms. He entered the
army from Michigan at the outbreak of
the war as captain of a company of
volunteers, and showing scientific ability,
was transferred to the signal corps, where
he has been ever since. He first became
interested in polar discoveries when he
was selected three years ago as men,
Der of committee appointed by Secre-
tary Robson to investigate the loss of
the Polaris 1t being one of his charac-
teristics to study thoroughly whatever
subject it becomes his duty to deal with,
he entered upon the work of investiga-
ton with energy and interest, and the
prospective importance of an explora-
ton Of the polar circle to the Signal
Service impressed itself upon his mind.
For nearly four years he has been de-
voting his leisure to the study of the
subject, and the scheme he has matured
and projected is to found colony at the
most accessible point in the Arctic re-
gions, which may be the base of sup
plies, and the center of a grand system
of exploration. In investigating the
causes of the failure of the thirteen ex-
petitions that have been sent out bv
different nations to discover the North
Pole, he found that the main ones were
the insufficient length of time that was
allowed for the work; the small amount
of supplies that were taken for the sus-
tenance of the explorers. and the neg
lect of the persons engaged to acclimate
themselves to the excessive cold which
they must endure.
TO remove these causes, he has pro-
jected the scheme of approaching the
Pole by slow degrees, making it, if ne
cessary, the work of lifetime, instead
of a single season, as has hitherto been
He proposes to establish a
colony where the men engaged in the
work can acclimate themselves by actual
residence to the hardships of arctic life;
from which they can penetrate the ice
wilderness by easy stages, and to which
they can retreat when they become dis
abled or their supplies give out. In this
scheme he has received the encourage
ment of the entire scientific world, but
has had to face many ANNOUNCEMENTS
and difficulties in bringing it into practi-
cal operation.
Last year he had his plans fully form
ed, and asked of Congress an appropri-
alton of $4,000 to carry it into effect
The Naval Committee recommended it
but the attention of Con-
gross was SO enwrapped in politics that
the matter was neglected. After the
of Congress he appealed
to individuals, and subscription of
$4,000 was raised for him with which
to start out vessel to take the prelimi-
nary steps.
Captain Tyson, an old naval officer,
who had commanded the unfortunate
Polaris, was selected as the man to head
the expedition, and the schooner Flor
ence, a whale vessel of New London,
was purchased as the vehicle of trans
portation. For twenty years Captain
Tyson has been Il seafaring man, and
the greater part of that time he has
spent in the polar regions. He is better
acquainted with the Northern seas than
any other living man, and besides his
great skill as navigator, is practical
and is noted for his endurance,
courage, and resources of mind. He
devOtes his services, as does Captain
Howgate, gratuitously to the cause of
with the mere understanding
that his family shall be provided for
during his absence. AS he is an officer
of the navy, he could not be detailed
for this service except by special act
Of Congress, and the only way Secretary
could allow him to go was by
giving him indefinite leave of absence,
without pay. 1t is hoped and expected
that Congress when it meets will pass an
act permitting him to draw his pay reg
ularly during his absence, which may
last a term of several wears.
Accompanying Captain Tyson, in adj
dition to his crew of ten experienced
men, are Mr.. o. I. Sherman, of Provi-
dence, r. l., who goes as meteorologist
and photographer. He is recent grad
uate Of Yale College, an able, courageous,
and ambitious fellow, and was selected
on the recommendation of Professor
LOOMS and other members of the fac
ulty. His expenses will be paid by the
college, and the results of his observa-
tons will be partly the property of that
The Smithsonian Institute is repre-
sented by Mr.. Ludwig Kumilen, who
goes as naturalist and geologist.
The expedition is furnished with all of
the scientific instruments required, and
every possible aid that invention can
furnish them. Different vehicles of To-
are provided for overcoming
the distance between the colony and the
pole, and great confidence is placed in
L combined raft and sledge which has
been invented by Commodore
Ammen, Of the Navy Department.
The instructions of Captain Tyson are
70 erect comfortable quarters at the most
feasible location, for which he has the
timber all ready to be put together.
choosing point that will be easily &C
eessible to vessels from the south, and
also favorable to exploring trips to the
north. He Will employ a number of
full supply of dogs, native