The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-04-24
What the HOwgate Scheme OF Arctic
Discovery Proposes.

is that it does not undertake to disen-
tangle the riddle of the Frost King or
lay bare the mysteries of this hoary
realm at a single bold dash. 1t does
not expect to carry the citadel by as
sault. In other words, it will not risk
the great expenditure and pains Incl
dent to such an undertaking on the
chance result of one or even two sea-
sons work.
Capt. Howgate does not claim ell
tire originality in the mere idea of q
colony-system of discovery. He frank
ly comedies that DR.. Isaac I. Hayes
suggested such plan many years ago,
and designated Port Foulke, where he
had wintered in 1862, at the entrance
to Smiths Sound, as an appropriate
station whence season after season dis
coveries could be prosecuted north
ward. This may be said to have been
the ge1minal idea that found lodgment
in Capt. Howgate's mind, which was
vivified by the remarkable voyage of
Capt. Hall, and has gradually developed
into fully-matured and systematic
plan. He proposes to establish a
colony that shall be permanent settle
ment in the far north; abundantly
stocked with provisions, and apparatus
and supplies for research; the home
of strong band of resolute men. By
the aid of steam, now found so indis-
pensable to Arctic navigation, he be-
lieves he may safely locate his colo
ny far beyond the point fixed by DR..
Hayes; though the latter still holds to
Port Foulke as an original base, supply
ing any other that may be fixed beyond.
In Lady Franklin Bay, on the west side
of Robson Channel, in latitude 81
deg. A min, the Discovery found snug
quarters for the winter of 1856. A
good haven lay in the north side of the
bay, said by Capt. Stephenson to be
one of the finest harbors in the world.
1t was sheltered by hills 1900 feet
high, and was perfectly secure. A fine
vein of coal cropped out close by, and
large game was quite abundant.
THIS Is the designated seat of the
Howgate Colony-surely not an UNI
promising one, though we'll inside the
eighties. 1t is desired to station here
at least fifty picked men, who have
been regularly enlisted into the service
of the United States. Three COM
missioned officers, two surgeons, an as
tronomer and two or more naturalists
will complete the number. One or
more substantial buildings, the mate
rails for which will be taken thither by
ship, will furnish comfortable accom-
modations; and with fuel at the very
door, and plentiful supplies-some
three years. provisions-in stock, with
every appliance for health and comfort
that experience can suggest, it would
seem that life would be almost as en-
durable and not much more imperiled
than in some of the more exposed sig
nal-stations in the United States. 1t
will be the endeavcr to visit this settle
ment yearly in order to supply all
needs, to carry news from home, to
bring back the sick and discontinued,
and supply their places with fresh ma
terial.
This much for the general outline.
The amount of detail is almost endless
for such an undertaking-enough to
appal the most painstaking.
Two objects will be kept constantly
in view; one to reach the Pole, the
other to make careful Investigations
in every branch of science possible. TO
facilitate the former a full equipment
of boats and sledges will be provided,
and a large number of trained and
healthy Esquimaux dogs procured,
with sufficient native drivers, who will
also act rs hunters to supply the col
ony with fresh animal food. After
everything is fairly settled at Lady
Franklin Bay it may be possible to
form subsidiary depot at Cape Union,
and perhaps others still to the north on
the shore, forming the sub-bases for
further advances. Large quantities OF
copper wire will be furnished to form
telegraphic communication between
outlying parties and the colony, and q
special Continuance has been invented
to take in certain cases the place OF or
binary batteries. The telephone also
NAV find a use in this field. Balloons,
though not relied upon for transporta-
ton, NAV serve a good purpose when
anchored for observation over large
tracts of ice and to mark out routes;
while balloonets may readily give the
direction of the upper currents OF air.
Special experiments to this end have
been made by experts both in this coun-
trv and in France, to provide material
hest calculated to withstand the effects