New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-28
LEIGH SMITHS RECTAL.

The Royal Geographical Society of London
we're favored fortnight ago with minute ac
count of Leigh Smiths last voyage to Franz
Josef Land. Having made three cruises IN the
Northern Seas, he succo -ded In 1880 in pene-
trating to the Austrian archipelago and follow
ing the western coast for a distance of $50
miles. Returning the next year by lane on
the same meridian as the one followed on his
first voyage, he found open water nOrthward in
mid -August, and was preparing to complete his
former discoveries when his ship was suddenly
crushed in the ice. Four small boats were
saved and tent was Immediately rugged mp on
the ice but the castaways had only scant sup
ply of provisions and clothing. 1t was toe late
to attempt to return across the Ice that sea-
SOD, ana the prospect of facing the rigor of an
Arctic winter without other shelter than the
tent was appalling. Game, however, proved
plentiful, so that sufficient supplies OF fresh
meat were secured for the season Int was
built of stones and turf; and not only was the
health of the men excellent during the coolest
mouths, but the time did not dag as heavily as
they had feared. In May preparations were
begun for the retreat southwark, start was
made in June, and by the middle OF July the
coast of Novai Semlai was sighted. relief
expedition sent out from England was already
awaiting the arrival of the sbipwrecked ex-
porers in the quarter where the Austrian crew
had landed several years before.
Mr. Smith in the course of the paper read he
fore the Geographical Society described the
winter at Cape Flora as less severe than on the
same parallel in Smith Sound, and attributed
the 10 wer temperature to the expanse of ocean
81. 81, la in, lasa
through out the coolest months of the year. He
also gave important information IN regard to
the animal life of that region, stating that
birds, wolves, bears and seals were plentiful,
and contendiDg that the presence of so much
game, and especially of walrus in great num-
beers, was an Indication that there was open
water there every year. lie gave an amusing
account of their leaving six bottles OF champagne
behind them in the hut for anybody who might
happen to pass that way and call for them, and
in closing his paper maintained In all serious
ness that this recently discovered region was
the most suitable base whence explorations
toward the Pole could be pushed. The regular
ity with which the base has been reached in
several successive seasons, the abundance OF
fresh meat, the milder weather in comparison
with the temperature in Smith Sound, and the
facility with which a retreat can be effected TO
Novai Semlai, are strong arguments in favor OF
this route 10 the Pole. Lieutenant Payer,
moreover, in his main sledge journey from the
Tegethofi's winter quarters q few hundred
miles to the east of Cape Flora, discovered that
the coast trended northward hey ond the eighty
third parallel and the inference which he drew
from the dimensions of the glaciers on Wiczek
Land was that they could only be found on an
Arctic continent of great extent. Ii Franz
Josef Land be another Greenland pointing
north ward. tho lower temperatures which the
men OF the Ezra experienced On the western side
of Alexandria Land will he an irrefutabe ar
gument in favor of this route to the Pole. As
the American colony was in the upper waters
of Smith Sound during the winter when Leigh
Smith was in the Austrian archipelago, close
comparison of temperatures can ultimately be
made
At this meeting of the Royal Geographical
Society Sir George Mares spoke of the anxiety
that is felt ia England for the safety of the
American colony which is wintering ia Discov-
cry Bay, and expressed the hope that the scien-
tifc observers would speedily he rescued from
their peril. This colony was landed by the Pro-
teus in the summer of 1881, and furnished with |
provisions for two years; the Neptune made an |
Intellectual effort to carry fresh supplies and
relay of men to them last year; and the attempt |
to traverse Smith Sound is to be renewed this |
year. A second failure to reach the colony's |
advanced post in the Arctic world will leave
these intrepid explorers dependent uDon their
own resources in latitude where Sir George
Mares experienced such terrible extremes of
cold and saw 80 few signs of animal life. No
precautions should be neglected to render this
years attempt to rescue the colony successful.
PERSONAL.