The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-30
OBJECTS AND RESULTS


OBJ ECTS AMI RES OLIS
| fHie Latest Explorations la the Ear North
ef1i Regions.
For the purpose of obtaining some
idea OF the general nature and probable
scientific value of the explorations made by
Lieutenant Gresly, an associated press
agent visited him few days ago. Greedy
stated that the object of the Lady Franklin
expedition was to establish polar station,
one of thirteen suggested by Lieutenant
Wayprecht, Of Austria, who discovered
Franz Joseph land. simultaneously OBJ
seryations of all the physical phenomena
were to be taken. The complete programme
that was to be followed was arranged by an
international polar congress, in which rep
resentatives of thirteen nations took part.
The observations, in making which the
greatest possible accuracy was to be had,
were those OF declination and deviation OF
the magnetic needle, temperature OF air,
sea height of barometer, and mean and
maximum rise and fall Of tides. The ex-
plorations were to be merely incidental to
other objects. The expedition was fitted
out under the authority of the United
States congress. 1t was composed OF three
officers Of the army, one acting surgeon and
nineteen enlisted men from the army.
Stores for tw-nty-seven months were
put on the "Proteus,' which left st.
Johns, July 7, 1881, with the party. She
touched at Disco Island and Uppernavik 70
procure sledges, dogs, skins and dog food.
Two Esquimsuxs were added to the party
at Proven. Landing was made at Corey Is
land in north water, and the provisions
cached. by Nores in 1875, in the alert,
were found to be in good condition. At
Littleton Island Greedy personally recovered
the English Arctic mail left by Sir Allen
Wing in the "Pandora' in 1876. At Carl
Ritter Bay, in Kennedy channel, cache OF
provisions for use on the retreat was made.
1t was the original intention to establish
polar station at Water Course bay, but
heavy masses of ice rendered Water Course
bay exceedingly dangerous anchorage.
Moving to Discover Harbor, the station was
there established on the site occupied by the
English expedition Of 1875. The erection
of house was at once commenced and |
stores and equipments landed. On the 2Sth
of August came the parting between the |
Gree'y party and the men of the "Proteus.'
The little band of adherents on the frozen |
shore watched the "Proteus' as she steam
ed slowly down Lady Franklin bay. On the |
evening OF the same day the temperature |
sank below freezing point and the icy Are
tic winter was on them in earnest. Their
house was finished about week after the |
"Proteus' left. 1t was named, in honor
of Senator Conger, Fort Conger. During
the first month the cold affected the men
more than at any subsequent time at Fort
Conger. Later on the temperature sank
from 30 to IS degrees below zero, and SO re-
NAMED for days at q time. But even in
that weather the cooks favorite amusement
was dancing bare-headed, bare armed,
with slippered feet, on top Of snowdrift.
During the day the men dressed in ordi-
nary outside clothing, but their fl innels
we're very heavy. Five men were generally
'or part of the day engaged in scientific
work, under Greely's direction, and in the
luties of the camp. The remainder were
employed generally about one hour day,
md devoted the rest of the time to amuse-
nent. All slept on hunks. The quarters
we're heated by a large coal stove, the aver
.ge heat maintained being 30 degrees above
zero. Checkers, cards, chess and reading
we're the amusements OF the evening. The
ife, Greedy said, was far from lonely, and
many of the men said they had never passed
wo happier years than those spent at Fort
longer.
On the 10Th of October the sun left them
or 1876 days and the twilight, varying from
alf an hour to twenty -four hours, succeed
ng for two months was so dim that the dial
II watch could not be read by it. On
4 Lrll 18th the sun came above the horizon
md remained there 1876 days, giving the
party great sufficiency Of midnight sun. {
During three months stars were visible con- ,
md the Great Bear were the brightest.
The north star looked down from almost
,ver head. Standing alone outside the fort S
m the snow drift these night scenes were d
yerdly grand. To the north fl smed the h
urora borealis and bright consultations T
we're set like jewels around the glowing =
noon. Over everything was dead silence, l
O horribly oppressive that man alone is al Il
1ost tempted to kill himself The sstrono- h
her OF the party said that with the naked
We a star Of one degree smaller magnitude r
han can be seen here in the same way g
light be discovered. The moon would I
eman in sight from seven to twelve a
avs at a time. The thermometer regis !,
,red on June 30th the highe't temp srature y
Lady Franklin bay which we knew during 3
ur stay. 1t was 81 degrees above zero. D
he lowest was in February, 1888, 66 de- a
rees below. In this February our mer- "
lry froze and remained solid for fifteen q
avs. The mercury in the thermometer in +
,riably rose during storms or high winds. u u
he highest barometer was slightly above "
inches; the lowest slightly below 30 inch il
!. The greatest variations were in the ii
inter. The electrometer, an instrument W
,ed to ascertain the pressure of cleo CT
jcity, was up, but not the slightest results
ere obtained. The displays Of aurora e
ere very good, but not compared with q,
ose seen at Uppernayik or Disco Island. n,
THE lieutenant then detailed the further dl
ip of the party, and their subsequent sur u
ring I'D to the time OF the rescue. in
In conclusion he said he considered it i'm a
,ssible to reach the north pole by the re
ute of the "Jeannette,' and considered "a
e only feasible route to be by way OF in
-anz Joseph land. w