The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-04-28
Arctic Research.

Afc'1C research
Two polar expeditions are to be fitted
out and sent north early this coming
summer, under the direction of General
Hazen, the chief signal officer, for purely
scientific purposes the one to Lady
Franklin Bay is to be under the COM
mand of Lieutenant Greeley, one of the
most trusted officers of the signal corps;
the other will sail from San Francisco
and will establish itself at Point Burrow,
on the north coast of Alaska. The COM
manding officer of the second expedition
has not yet been designated.
Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian
Institute, and Captain Patterson, of the
Coast Survey, are cooperating with Cen
eral Hazen, and will each be represented
in one or both of these expeditions.
These enterprises are part of polar OBJ
servations in which several European
nations are participants with this coun-
try. Russia has promised to occupy two
stations, one at the mouth Of the Lena
in Eastern Siberia, and the other on
the New Siberian Island, which is
some distance east of Wrangle Land.
Sweden has promised to occupy North
Cape in Finland. Denmark will estab-
lish station at Upernavik, Greenland.
Germany-though she has not made an
absolute promise to do SOS expected to
send an expedition to the island of Jan
Mayen, east of Greenland. Holland will
occupy the mouth Of the OBJ and Spitz-
bergen. Austria, represented by Count
Wilszek and Lieutenant Weyprecht, will
occupy Nova Zembla. Canada will prob
ably occupy Melville Island. Italy will
fit out an expedition to the Southern
Hemisphere, and will probably select its
location on Cape Horn. 1t is also ex-
pected that the Island of Georgia, in the
Southern Hemisphere, will be occupied
by an expedition from some other Euro
pean nation.
Lieut.. Greeley's expedition will con-
sist of three officers of the army and II
enlisted men. It will be assembled at
Washington, about the 10Th of May, and
in st. Johns New Foundland about one
month later. 1t is expected that the expe-
dition will leave st. Johns about the LIST
of July and, touching at Disco, will take
ON board DR.. Pavey, the naturalist of the
expedition, who has been in Greenland
during the last winter collecting dogs,
sledges and other material for the expe-
dition. Several teams of dogs will be
taken from Disco and Upernavik with
two Esquimau hunters. The vessel is ex-
pected to reach Lady Franklin Bay by the
last of August, when, disembarking the
party, it will return to the United States.
In addition to the scientific observa-
tions to be made by the permanent party,
the northern coast of Greenland probably
will be explored, and it is believed that
the question as to whether Greenland is
an island or q continent can be settled,
and also whether land exists to the north
ward of Cape Britannia, the furthest point
seen by the English expedition of 1865.
The station is to be visited annually by \
vessels which will bring fresh sup
plies and number of new recruits, in
order that those untitled for the work by
reason Of disease or otherwise may re.
turn to the United States. Lieut.. +. E.
Kislingbury, of the Eleventh Infantry,
an officer who has already made credit
able record as scientific man, has been
Designated as the geographer of the ex-
pedidition. The third officer of the ex-
pedition has not been selected.
The meteorological observations of the
expedition will be made by four signal
service observers specially trained for it.
Mr.. VIM. Rick, Of Washington. who will
probably be the photographer OF the ex-
petition, has had experience in pho
Biography within tho Arctic circle. The
force is to be selected from large num-
Der OF volunteers who have seen difficult
service in the Northwest, and who are
thus better prepared to resist the rigors
Of the Arctic winter. Lieut.. Greeley's
experience as signal officer will be
found of great value in communicating
from point to point. For this purpose
he will use Myers signal code, sending
signals by the Photograph 40 miles when
the sun shines, and by flags and
lanterns for shorter distances at other
times. This will be IN advantage not
possessed by former expeditions.
Negotiations for the purchase by the
Navy Department Of the steam whaler
Mary and Helen were completed this A.
ternoon, and Mr.. William Loves, OF
New bedford, the former owner, receive
"a e. s Sa sPpISc ;"s BY Secretary Hunt
chasing paymaster.