Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-01-08
AMONGST THE ICEBERGs.
Commander Schley's Vessel
Runs Plump Into One.

Runs Plump Into One.
Arctic Region Fascination Describ-
ed by Lieutenant Greely's Finder.
The following Is from an interview
with Commander Schley, who rescued
the remnants of Lieutenant Greely's
party: HAD sou any unexpected ex-
periences when you got in the higher
latitude aside from the general one
pertaining to the expedition ?"
ooh, yes. One morning, for in
stance, when the atmosphere was hazy
from light fall of snow, in going a
stiff nine-knot gait, we ran plump into
an iceberg that was in our way, and
whicn no one could see. For a mo-
ment thought every mast would so
by the board, and that my hair and
teeth had proceeded them. Il nevergot
quite such a shock. | was nearly
thrown out of the crows nest. l eX-
pected soon to hear the Alert was
leaking. But, strange as it may seem,
with rebound of at least thirty feet,
there was not seaW started. 1t was
almost miraculous that we had no cat
astrophe, and shows how thoughtfully
that ship was built for just such en-
counters in those seas. On another oc-
casion, when over against the Green
land coast, counted not less than l.
500 icebergs that had been pushed from
the glacial formation on the sloping
headlands of the coast into the sea. We
could occasionally hear the cracking
that indicated the assure; but the sight
of these majestic monarchs OF the sea
sailing off in the morning sunlight,
with all the colors of the prism, was
something that cannot bei.described.
Fascinating region do you ask ? New
er one more so. I wanted to stay
there awhile. Eyen the men / took at
New Bedford and New London jumped
at the chance to go, though some of
them said they did not expect to come
back again. Why, after we got Greely
and our mission was accomplished. 1
never felt such pang of disappoint-
ment that, with seventy-two days Of
summer weather before me, and an o.
pen sea, was obliged to turn my prov
homeward and abandon the chance to
get higher latitude. than any other
explorer"
"Do you think you. would have had
success had you been at liberty to
have entered on'such trip ?"
"It seemed so at least, just then.
And this leads me to say that the re.
mark I haye quoted from Weyprecbt
was vindicated in my experience. The
theory of winter sojourneying in the
high ATTITUDES, in order to be on the
ground for another seasons continu-
ance, is, in my judgement, all mis-
take. The men might as well come
home and have the advantages of civili-
zation. Nothing is gained by remain
ing within the arctic circle that cannot
be realized the next season by starting
early il the conditions are fayorable.
And these conditions rest upon an open
sea. Now, some seasons all the waters
are filed with ice that it. is impossible
to penetrate. The very next season ev-
cry strait, bay and channel is likely to
beilopen water. The winds, currents
and many unknown or undemonstrated
influences affect the ice. What should
be done is to get everything in readi-
ness early in the ear, and by May or
early June be at the upper settlements.
Then follow promptly the open water,
and the occasion will come, sooner or
later, when the pole will he reached. In
my case could have got far to the
northward. and. If caught i'm the upper
seas, I had provisions that would have
lasted possibly two years, before which
time should have worked out of the
trap. In this connection, let me tell
an anecdote. We were buttirg pretty
efectually one day some ice that imped-
ed our progress, when one of the Dun
dee whaling captains said. in admira-
tion of our powers 'Ye did that but
ting in fOine style, and it is a tough
ship that you have !; but if you keep it
up, you will ruin your ship for a sec.
ond season. Second season. exclaim-
ed I-snoEe for Us, if you please We
shall find Greely and be back again
long before we begin to divide the sea-
sons 10 And so it turned.''
ADVICE TO MOTHERS.
Are you disturbed at night and broken of