New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-10
moving ON THR NORTH POLE.
nov 20 Reach IL.

states army ~ ~ 9 RAO~SNAAo AS" w sN----~
far to our columns the following communi-
cation from one of Major HOwgate's asso-
ciates in the signal service. The letter will
command additional attention, perhaps,
from the fact that its writer is one of Louis
inna's most gifted contributors to the ma
tional army. 1t appeared originally in the
New York Commercial Advertiser of JAN
nary 90:
The widespread attention the proposed
plan of Captain Howgate, of the signal
jsarvice. for reaching the north pole has re-
ceiyed from the daily press, shows that the
keenest interest yet exists in this country
on the aubiect of arctic explorations. The
leading part hitherto taken by Americans
in polar discoveries naturally stimulates us
to renewed efforts, since England, after at
tanning the highest latitude yet reached,
claims through Captain Mares that further
advance is impossible. Such, venture to
say, is not the opinion of the American
Deonle. Even as Hall, after England had
abandoned the search, uplifted the veil
that covered Franklin's fate, and as Stan
lev bids fair to solve the problem which
wasted the lite of Livingstone, so let US hope
that some other fearless, energetic and per-
severing countryman will prove us again
che thrifty shoot shat outruns the parent
me expedition of Captain Mares. while q
failure in certain respects, has done vast
service for future explorers in clearly de-
timing the difficulties to be met and over
come. The coast ON either side of Robe
cons channel has been so well laid down
IS to render any further attempts in this d.
Fecti0n futile on the part of an expedition
via Smiths sound. In that direction the
mole Hnust be reached by sledge and boat
from Cape Joseph Henry, which is but 70
from the pole.
underrate the difficulties, states that Lady
Franklin Bay, latitude SIC 45, can be
reached every year If the attempt ia made
In the right season.
Theya Captain HOwgato proposes that
the colony should be established and left
for three years. Its high latitude, the
facility Of reaching it, and the seam Of coal
found by the Discovery render it undoubt-
odiy the best winteFiDg place in Robes0n's
channel. The party having three years to
remain and no means Of retreat open, has
every inducement to dey0ts Its time and
energy to the accomplishment Of its pur-
pose. From Cape Joseph Henry to the Pole
"a about $50 miles, which in favorable
season could be passed over in ninety days,
going and retHrning
In 1855 Captain n Clintock made sledge
,krfu Of 1900 miles in l06 days, and Lieutenant
Meebaun one Of over 1000 miles in ninety
TIRES daya. In 1921 a trip of 800 miles was
made By Wrangall in thirty-six days. The
oharacter'of the ice passed over BY him &C
cords, in his description, with that found by
Commander Markham. II is true that Com
mander Markhan's party only averaged
one and q quarter miles daily, but several
causee operated against more rapid progress.
Firat-The want Of dogs. The failure to
take them seems great error, fog when
thasr capacity for work 10 gone they can be
geeond-Tbe pack ice was exceedingly
rough, and the drifted snow lay in such di
recfions Is to seriously impede their pro-
preae, The snow lay In its particular di-
rection from a continued west wind, which
does not prevail every year.
The evidence of Arctic travellers all shows
chat the surface Of the ice mag jRlly
chamres from year TO year, being Nome
vears quite smooth. The statements of
Iisutenant Payer, the commander Of She
Anefro Hungarian expedition, 1921, are
nnnaeiallv important in this respect, be
rigipR an account of the change from
sInoosh. regular fields Of les TO rough, huge,
disi0inted packs.
Tshird-Ihe party leaving land in Robe
sens channel presumably experienced soma
arift south until they had cleared the
aiahtv-third parallel, when the tendency ia
dfvided between drifting east or south.
rho tide aud current observations in Robe
@oo's channel showed continued strong
sontherAy cnrrenta.
me experience Of Payer, who Travelled
weeks On pack ice before he discovered the
eanersf movement shows how imper
eentible the drift 10. The statement that
fsaYnmander Markham's party travelled 27t
SoiIaa 10 70 Beveuty-three miles from the
Tlsfo and but 245 miles to return, eaFrobor
ofes this opinion. The party va thirty
nina days going, and although si9k, bn
Fairfy-t sirae days returning. Directly nortl
II Cspe Joseph Henry, the drift must be
raras feebler Sc q party goes north, a
7fehesen's channel being too email to n
71ava the polar BASIN Of all Its ice, the gen
~sal drift ia east, so as TO escape BY the eas
esesnt Of Greenland. Any drift apart iron
eK9 locality near the mouth Of R0beaon'
channel would hardly increase on'e distanc
feom the pole.
Trnrth-The party was anprovided Wit
4srne iuiee or other anti eeorbutics, and ID
.s5nieaf eourvy impaired the strength OF I'll
e3rfV shortly after starting.
IN IL exceedingly probable that Con
.nander Markhame party, when eompelIe
~ ssnrvy TO turn back, was near to land
3hs water had, We are told swallowed
- Petermann, who probably has exan
snad with she closest attention the record
81 an Polar expeditions, 10 firmly OF th
rrirsinn fhae land viii be found direotl
~rrfh At Cane Joseph Henry, IN abOuf LAT
fr3S g79. That land was mot seen BY Mari
Irrlia party IN no wise initiates again
SaIs fheory, "a the nature Of the loo WI
ereh IS 70 preclude view Of even eight Z
~ rsilss. and low land auch IS usually Or
VsI|s N tie Arctic regions can for tho grea
81 part g tie 5ear only be digiinguishs
snaSl mack ict bF beinq Travelled owe
Tnnid land he found within one hundrf
and City miles q Cane Joseph Hem
4esnlsflon o0uld be stocked with Or
risi6as, and oucooss thus rendatsd q "a
ta9nt4. Ahoula the sea- open She crossing
Il would Be matter e only q few dey
4hnf 10 d1a1 open Cor q considerable q
nos Captain hofrs admits II bic report
aEnItslF solts4. 4al unaeabled egIdenl
tf Kane, Hayes, Meyos and Payer 70 oo
reiFe 1n this point. The lester, az Cal
t.ssIr. latitude 81 IA 1874, fouad q 3
tf 81 ia * eye ooaid rsach. AZ Enriil
tonmen1ing % tAie acccua4 Inaan
1THn tha1 Payer was zoe snicniiH
0 I1o|. ard possessed 81 too good iud
naNA "a 6agM s. a4 open sea, but called II
ntrnI1 r or Nfttf h1Ia' 10 matters naue
Hn lt II named 40 long ~ Is aA1zds q l1
sr ftHf ifF N0r1I9er6Ie distance
M lt1 polo.
ouH1. tbs neeat aeonfanhe4.
nfA 81 b t1a casa. and 1oattE q
latt4sa Mares Nuelae1 1nolh
4N|4 tl1 t1-sa11 ne naIe
t4s lsa,' GEMS ..ert Htys Ell
saifsi ccuNid4N 1 q
ea4AHAI4 MalH
81 's ex1t ~
4s and 81
~ lt Som
sid t 44a5sn|
Sea A|