Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-24
STILL ANO TIER.
North POle-Capt. Howgate's Plan.

| North Pole-Capt. Howgate's Plan.
! The late failure of Capt. Mares to
reach the pole, and the disheartening
circumstances connected herewith,
have again brought the question of the
possibility of reaching that "debatable
nd'lnto more than usual prominence.
Public opinion, at the present time, is
a good deal divided on this subject.
Some hold that it is an utter impossi-
bility to reach the pole-that the diff
cuitles that lie in the way are absolutely
insurmOuntable by human endurance
or ingenuity, but far more, and among
them some of the best scientists and
thinkers Of the day, believe quite the
contrary.
No doubt, the difficulties which lie
in the way of explorers in this direction
are very great, but it has at least not
been proven that they are insurmount-
able; and until they are SO, no valid
objections can be raised against any
attempts that may be made to overcome
them. 1t may be asked what are we to
gain by the discovery of the pole, sup
posing we ever reach it? This would
be rather difficult question to answer,
at least to define the money value of it
In dollars and cents, but the gain
would, nevertheless, be great and
enduring. Several troublesome Ques-
tons in meteorology, geodesy and
physical geography, would be set at
rest; and means supplied for testing
the accuracy of several scientific
theories, as we'll as several other
unthought of advantages which always
spring from any new discovery in the
arts and sciences. Those who laughed
at Franklin when he was flying his kite
to catch the electricity of the cloud, or
at Stephenson when he undertook to
rur railway from Liverpool to Man
chester, or Fulton when he proposed
to propel boats by steam, possibly
asked the same questions, and made
the same objections, that are asked and
made to-day regarding the project of
Arctic exploration, and they could as
little satisfactorily be replied to then
as the cavilers of to day.
A few thousand dollars may indeed
be spent before the pole is successfully
reached, out what of that? Will not
the addition to our sum Of knowledge,
resulting in the enlarging of our ideas,
and the proud consciousness of new
difficulties overcome, more than amply
repay the expenditure Mere senti.
ment has often led men to spend vast
sums Of money In various ways. This
polar question has q sentimental as
well as q practical side, which deserves
some consideration. Is it not dis
tinction which any man might be proud
of, to be the first who ever penetrated
CT HI
much sought after spot, the pole of
the globe? To see what the eye of
man has never seen, or to tread where
the foot of mortal has never trod be-
fore, has in itself charm entirely out
siderations which have led, and will
continue to lead, men to endure priva-
vatlons, surmount difficulties, and
attempt undertakings, which no other
considerations would lead them to-
This feeling has led men to penetrate
unknown continents, and to brave the
dangers of unknown seas, and, further,
has led to the ultimate advantage and
progress of our race. Have such en-
deavors been exercised in vain? Have
all the time and money spent in Arctic
exploration been SO much loss? Far
from it; no right thinking man would
dream of maintaining such PROPOSE
| ton In this age Of progress and enter
prise.
During the present century several
European countries, as well as America,
have earnestly applied themselves to
the solution Of this Arctic problem,
but their efforts have been hitherto un-
successful. The first regularly organ
lied expedition for the purpose of Arc
tic exploration was that Of Ross and
Parry, which entirely failed to accom-
plish anything. Two years later Parry
again commanded two ships, the Hecla
and Griper, reaching Melville Island
passage, but was obliged to return
unsuccessful. In 1927 this intrepid
navigator, giving up his search for the
northwest passage, In command Of the
Hecla, attempted to reach the pole
Finding it impossible to advance in his
ship, he left her at Spitzburgen. and,
manning his boats, reached the highest
latitude ever previously attained, $50
45s, but was eventually obliged to
return without having attained his OBJ
| iect. The unfortunate fate of Sir John
Franklin is we'll known, and need not
| here be further referred to. The work
of Arctic exploration still went on, and
vast discoveries were made by Ross,
Kane, McCIintock, and others, while
searching for the remains Of Franklin.
Kane, on his return, announced that he
had discovered an open polar sea. The
fact was doubted, and the existence of
| this sea is still doubtful question. If
such sea exists, it is sure to be even
tually reached, and, of course, the APP
proach to the pole will then be an easy
matter.
Within the Last few years the al
tempts to reach the pole have been
more persistent than at any previous
period, and spirit of rivalry seems to
have sprung up between this country
and Great Britain as to which shall
attain the high honor of reaching it
first. Hayes struggled bravely with
the problem, and then Hall took it up,
but, though their endeavors added
greatly to our knowledge of Arctic geo
graphy. they failed in their main OBJ
ject. In 1875 England fitted out one
- tho roOot oopo ovrol;A;op,