Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-02-24
An Enthn.,nstic Exnloror.


George L, Tyson, OF Polaris fame,
like all Arctic explorers, has caught tho
Arctic fever again. and is anxious to try
for the north pole once more, this time
by way of Franz Josef Land. In let
ter to the New York Herald he says;
1.-THE opportunity remains to us to try
TO reach the pole from Franz Josef
Land, which commences in latitude
eighty dcgs. north, and probably ex-
tends, as group of islands, TO latitude
eighty-three degs., and possibly further.
The longitude of the islands is cut by
the sixticth meridian cast. A small
vessel of scventy-iive tons-in fact, ono
Of the 'down-oast fishing schooners-
well fortified for the ice, manned by
twelve mon, but those men all Ameri-
| cans and Injured to q life OF danger, toll
and privation in the whaling or fishing
| service, would DO sufficient for such an
expedition, and believe, with COM
pctcnt leader, would carry the Amcri-
can flag, if not to the pole (Which |
think possible under my plnn), further
north than any flag has been carried be-
fore. propose to make from those
islands winter journey to the pole,
Stti tliiH III Whth tlIt utty tiC
of moderate length, but light increasing
daily, with five men, exclusive OF the
leader. propose to make the journey
to the pole and return by July or Au-
gust of the same year. In travelling
toward the pole from Franz Josef Land
you travel across the current instead
of directly against it, one advantage
over the route taken by Parry
north of Spitzbergen. To commence
journey at that time of tho year we
will find it very cold, but rs the season
advances the weather becomes warm
and pleasant, so that in April it would
be as warm and genial rs we could de-
sire. In starting at this time Of the year
| the travellers would have Mt least three
months of dry weather, and consequent
ly escape the most fruitful cause of
scurvy and rheumatism. Starting in
February, the travellers would find the
ice-iloes of the Arctic basin well cement
ed together, which would enable them
to use dogs to draw their sledgcs or light
boats, containing their provisions and
ammunition, and to cross streams OIL
lanes of water, should any be met with.
When the dogs could be used no longer,
they could be eaten--so much meat on
the hoof. Another thing in favor of an
early start would be that they would not
have the spring and summer frcshet to
contend with on this journey north, but
it would materially assist them on their
return south. In regard to subsistence
for six men for so long time, / will
say that in March the seals begin to have
their young, and from that time for.
ward, or ut least during the months o
March, April, May and June, should
expect to find seals in abundance
varied occasionally by the capture o.
apolar bear. In those very high lati
tudes the birds do not make theii
appearance until May, and not then
unless we were near land. Therefor,
we could not hope to see much else bu
gulls; but it is my firm belief that part,
of six men, containing two good marks
men, could find plenty of subsistence oil
seals and polar bears. No doubt man,
will say that party starting at thi
time of the year must inevitably perisl
with cold. |, who have spent quartz
of n century battling with the polar ice
who have laid me down many night OF
the sea ice, when travelling in the dea
of winter, and slept soundly, and don
this, too, merely to escape the monoto
nous life on board of ship, am Il livin
contradiction of any such assertion. Al
expedition of this class would cost but
triile in comparison with those recent
sent, and if put in good hands / have n
doubt of its success to high degree,
not to the very apex of the earth. !
schooner of this class l am speaking {
could possibly be bought for $4,000 O
$4,000, and have no doubt the bus
ness men and merchants of New Yor
and Boston would contribute all tha
was necessary in stores, clothing, etc
Now, where is there man or party {
men who will furnish the nucleus fo
this expeditionP Had l the means
would not call on n living soul, br
would be off in June for the north pole.