The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-16

I, Is III most likely to be stopper
A.-The critical place is near Cape Sa-
bne. Smiths sound, above that point,
widens into basin, and in that basin, near
Cape Frazer, is the meeting point OF the two
tidal waves from the North Atlantic, one
coming around the northern end of Green
land and the other coming up from the
southwark through Baffin's bay. The result
of the meeting of these two tidal waves is to
pack the ice in Smiths sound above Cape Sa-
bine; so, as Kane's basin is not very Deep
and icebergs discharged by the great Hum
bolt glacier are apt to get aground, then float
ing ice Joins between and around them.
Q-What is the nature of the coast of
Grinnell Land between Cape Sabine, where
the relief expedition is most likely to be
stopped, and Lieutenant Greley's station?
A.-The coast is very rugged, and for the
most part precipitous, and there is no posi-
bilty of travelling over it for any considera-
bic distance. You may find a valley now
and then, which you can follow, but as a rule
travelling on the land along Smiths sound for
any considerable distance is an impossi-
bility.
Q.-What would be the prospect of sue
cess in travelling over ice parallel with the
coast?
Am case there should be an ice-hoe, it
might be possible to travel along it with a
sledge, provided it was not too much covered
up by piled-up ice. 1t is not probable how
ever, that an ice-foe or smooth
way from Cape Sabine to Lady Franklin Bay,
or even greater part of the distance In
all exposed places it would be covered up by
masses of broken ice, forced up over il by
the pressure of the pack. The broken ice is
very difficult to get over. Lieutenant Ram
son, of Mares expedition attempted to travel
along the ce-floe to Lady Franklin BAY in
October, 1878, but, after ten days struggle,
was compelled to return without having
made greater distance than twelve miles.
He found broken masses of ice forced up on
top of the ice flow, aud resting against the
cliffs in many places more than thirty feet
high.
Q.-How is the travelling off the ice-1oe,
near the middle of the channel?
A,-Worse, rather than better. As Dr.
Hayes's ice-pilot said: 1T is travelling from
one end of New York city to the other over
days in making distance of eighty miles
across the ice of Smiths Sound
Q.-Supposing TO be landed at or near Cape
Sabine, how soon could they start with
sledges for Lake Franklin Bay, up the coast.
A.-Probably in September. Both Kane
and Mares made short journeys along the
coast in that month for the purpose of lay
ing out depots. should certainly start on
such journey early in the fall and advance
depots of supplies for the returning party, if
could do no more.
Q-Do you think relief party would sue
in September or October 10 Lieutenant
Greely's station?
Alt is impossible to say. They might
but it would be journey OF great difficulty.
small party of men with dog sledges would
succeed better than large party.
Q-Would dog sledges be better than
sledges drawn by men?
A.-They would, by all means, as the dog
requires neither spare clothing nor sleeping
gear, and the load of the sledge would CON
sequently be diminished to the extent of the
weight of these articles, or food could be
taken in their place and the journey thus ex-
tended. l would, however take dogs only if
there was reasonable prospect of finding
considerable extent of smooth ice Such ice
may frequently be found where water has
frozen during continuance OF calm weather
or where there are old foes
Q-Could Lieutenant Greedy, in your
opinion make good his retreat from the sta
ton to Cape Sabine without the cooperation
of a relief party?
Ale probably could do so if not en-
numbered with sick or disabled men; much
would depend ON that | understand the in
tervening distance is covered by three or
four dep0ts of provisions left by Mares and
by Greedy himself, SO that he could renew
his supplies from time to time as they became
exhausted.
Q.-Upon the whole, do you think Lieut.
Greedy has fair chance to escape from his
present position, eyenif the relief steamer
fails to reach the station?
A Unquestionably he has; and there is
no reason at present for special anxiety,
since he is provisioned for another year. and
the resources of the land and sea, although
not very great, would enable the party to
supplement their original stock of food In
my opinion, there is no point in the whole
extent OF Smiths Sound from which party
OF ablebodied men with an experienced lead
er might not reach the Danish settlements in
northern Greenland 1t might be necessary
to divide large party into separate de tach-
ments in order to facilitate its movement,
but with proper management all could get
through in safety.