The New York herald., 1879-07-06
THE AMERICAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION

IMPORTANCE OF THE UNDERTAKING.
[from the Rochester IN. W Union and Advertiser.
July 81
Within a few days there is 10 sail from San Fran
cisco expedition of the greatest Importance. Its
destination is the Arctic circle and its object the
exploration of that unknown region. in seeking to
navigate which SO many lives have been lost The
expedition will be the most completely fitted out
that has sailed from any port. and is expected
to achieve the most important results. The course
Of the Jeanette will be different from that
hitherto taken BY any vessel designed for voyage
of scientific exploration. All other expeditions in
search of the open Polar Sea have been by way
of Bains Bay The Jeanette will be the first vessel
to pass Behring Strait purely explorative
voyage toward the North Pole. There have been
several previous voyages the Arctic by this route
but the object these instances the discovery
OF Sir John Franklin and not the exploration of an
unknown portion of the globe. In connection with
expeditions to the Arctic by way of Behring Strait
it may be mentioned that, while vessel has ever
Yet succeeded i'll passing around the Barrow Straits.
from which there is . ready course to Baiin's By
and the Atlantic--a feat that has often been at
tempted in former ycars--the of one
slip did succeed in getting round. being
compelled to abandon their vessel to its
by Captain Mcclure. which vessel passed through
the BehrinG Strait in 1850. Mcclure succeeded IN
taking his ahp to point within sixty miles of Bar
row Straits. but wes there Obliged to abandon her.
Mcclure ami his party were rescued by the crew OF
the Resolute. which, two years after the sailing of
the Investigator. entered the Arctic Gee by way of
Ba.in S Bay. The vessel. originally an English one.
has been thoroughly ovcrhauled and repaired and
strengthened in every possib @ manner in order to
stand the immense pressure that will be brought to
bear upon her by the ice hoes III the Northern
Her crew. including officers aud scientific men,
| numbers thrty-two persons, and all or them have
been seected with the greatest passing medi-
cal examination to determine their fitness for
man OF the party will have three Its OF Clothes
being measured for them. so as to obtain perfect
| ht. One o. them is heavy brown copper fastened
duck suit lined throughout with gray blanket. The
coat made after the ulster pattern and provided
with number of pockets aud broad belt TO strap
| around tie waist Another suit, which is intended
! for dress parade is the regulation blue naval uni
form. the trousers being wide at the bottoms. the
shirt being double back. with broad collar The cap
is the regulation style. aud black neckte. The third
: suit is made OF black oilskin. and
Each will be provided with a long blue
| overcoat and number OF pairs of
woollen stockings that made to reach above the
knees. The shoes are to be made to order in San
francisco of canvas and lined with felt Fifty dog
spools of Balous assorted linen thread. couple OF
needles viii be among the knick-knacis Fine and
coarse combs. . doz N and half Of two and three
quart rubber bottles. with handles, made by the Ma
tional Rubber Company of Bristol. r. L. will be
ried along TOR use while travelling in small boats
the ice Where the mouth piece is fastened there is
rubber funnel stitched that the bottle be
easily filled. This style OF bottle is said
to be superior to the old style army
teen made OF tin, there is no danger of
their breaking being dented. The Alaska Fur
Company some time ago presented the expedition
with complete outfit of fur clothing, which. of
course, will be made use Of Every man will be
provided with pair OF heavy blue blankets, mat
tress and pillows This will insure the comfort of
the and protect them from the bitter cold which
they will experience. The expedition, unless
accident happen to 1t. will undoubtedly accomplish
much the way OF scientific research, and will
tempt to solve the problem of open Polar sea, q
problem which has caused UGH discussion dur
ing the past few years. Whether or not they ac-
complish the Lain object they will undoubtedly
make many important discoveries, and perhaps
pave the way for solution of the problem in the
future.