New-York tribune., 1885-01-25
n 1890 ss1 and 1882 leave no doubt that at soma

the explorer can depend to certain extent on the
game of the country as q means OF sustenahce.
Lieutenant Payers sledge trips of 1874 Indicate
much greater proportion of smooth ice than mas
been found In any other route. In thirty aays he
made round trip of about three hundred and
twenty-five miles, reaching, April l, 1874. cape
Fledgely. 800 O5' n. 5SoE. From that point he oD-
served "open water Of no great extent along the
coast bordered by ice, reaching in north and norm
westerly direction to land whose mean dis
tance from this highest point might be from sixty 10
seventy miles"
Cape Vienna, the most northerly point seen by
Payer is laid down by him as situated on the $50
parallel The extent of land beyond that point is,
of course, problematcal. The distance from the
southern coast of Franz Josef Land to the northern
most point of Nova Zembla is about one hundred
and eighty miles. In case of disaster retreat by
boats is practicable. Weyprecht, in 1874, after the
abandonment of the Tegetthof, and Leigh smith
retreatng 1882 in consequence OF the loss OF the
Eira made the journey successfully.
This route then presents unusual chances of sue
cess with the minimum of danger. 1t is more than
possible that English expedition Will enter these
waters Chief Engineer Melville, u. s. n, has IN
view an expedition by this route and his varied
Arctic experiences and indefatigable energy mark
him as a man peculiarly fitted for this work 1t is
desired opportunity. Two ships with about sixty
men and officers would be needed. Zone vessel
should winter in Ezra Harbor some secure spoint
near by while the second should he pushed as far
northward as possible preferably by Austria and
Rawlinsons Sounds but if that is not possible along
the west coast of Franz Josef Land beyond Cape
Ludlow rhe vessels should be provisoned for
three years and the crews should be quartered In
temporary houses to be erected on shore Quarters
on land are recommended as being freer from inois'
ture than is possibe.On shipboard, TACT which 10
my mind has an important bearing on the question
of health. depot of supplies for use IN case OF
disaster might be ablshed the northern coast
of Nova Zembla. With two vessels this would not
be Indispensable, but none the less wise and pru-
Although not a seaman think the following
views fairly cover the essential points regarding
vessels and navigation. Small, easily handled steam
whalers of good speed should be selected have
nothing to say as to the best method OF strengthen
ing them but presume those, adopted IN regard to
the vessels of the recent relief expedition leave
nothing TO be desired in that direction lt Is essen
tial that each vessel have steam whale boat. lt is
universally admitted that navigation is Impossible
through close pack ice In consequence the utmost
care should be taken to avoid besetment: Ross mas
truly said that patience and caution are indispensa-
bic to an Arctic navigator and to no greater advan-
tage these qualities be exercised them in avoid
ance of dense pack ice. A ship should maintain
almost constant motion and only moor when aDso-
lutey necessary and then only to an iceberg. Care.
full Observable of the currents and of the ebb and
flow of the tide are of the greatest Importance.
Marked movements of the ice are most liable to 0c
cur after the turn of the tide and the probable effect
of such changes must be fOreseen and discounted.
1t was mainly by increasing watchtulness OF winds.
currents and tides and by sound Judgment regarding
their effects that Sir George Mares succeeded in
working his vessel from Cape Sabine to the Pola
seasons II was from similar observations that
| was enabled. during the retreat of 1883, IN
a like unfavorable year, and on the same coast to
bring my beats in safety from Discovery Harbor
to Cape Hawks.
The expedition should receive its final supplies
from Tromsoc, and should not leave that port
before ths stsr of JULY s9th
sound are undoubtedly tho most favorable
month: for ice In ea,s OF 20 bad y.ar
the experiences Of the Teg,tthoi. Tho question
whether Ss' or shoud among ass
men. nnhesitatingly assert that with
dogs nearly double the distance can be made that
gear and extra clothing which form so large
proportion of constant weight, are not needed for
combination, the supporting sledge' beng drawn oy
men. the advance sledge by dogs. lie travelled
far enough in ninety DAYS the first spring after
the suns return, with his single team of seven
dogs to have reached the Pole and return. had 1t
been in a straight line. In 1888 depending Ga
Ocean in less than half ths time taken by men and
dogs combined the previous year.
The qualification Of the commander of an expedi-
vlous service is indispensable, but in addl-
ton he should be man who has carefully studied
the plans and equipment OF all ms predecessors IN
active work. fIe should not be above hve-and-
forty Subordinate officers should be under thirty
five enterprisin: fond Of field ser
vlSS wSS will hPd work i%vav aff" and faithfully
under any and all circumstances and never
give mere passive obedience Officers with varied
Ore should be photographer. The men should be
as far practicable of one nationality, OF soclable
nature. sunny disposition Intelligent, obseryanl.
self reliant, patient, perseverng and moral and OF
that class which has seen some hard service. They
should be unmarried and between twenty-five and
thirty-iive years OF age; No man should oe taken
use of stimulauts. Only In exGep,,
tional cases should man be enlisted who had
served in a previons expedition. They should be
selected and kept under discipline some time before
sailing in order that those unfit may he weeded
ont. Some should he good hunters and as many
useful trades be represented as possible Perfect
health is necessary, but especial attention should
be given in medical examnatonto to the condition OF
the lungs. teeth circulation of blood. and as
to rheumatic tendencies
Regarding food, there shonld be a great variety
| and no set programme as to the order In which IT
| five pounds per man daily and one and one-half
pounds per dog. Bacon. corned mot saltedl beef
ham and ,pemmlcan are the standard meats.
Freshly killed meat should DO taken IN Large
quantities IN refrigerators. Birds killed by Us IN
| July in Greenland were eaten the Dext june at
| Fort Conger. Soups, canned and dried fruits and
vegetables of all kinds are especially important.
| Fresh bread should he had daily Macaroni, con
densed milk, oatmeal butter, lard, cheese pickles,
|
ally provided. The regular use of high wines
| should be dIscountenanced About one glll weekly
! per man was consumed by my party, but should
| recommend not exceeding half gill more, pre-
ferably half pint of win or1inare: For dogs dried
| fish or meat must he provided they will not eat
dog or other biscuit unless nearly starved.
While working meat should always be fed to { hem.
| The value and utility Of SKIN clothing has been
| largely overrated. Thick woollen garments OF
| smooth finish and heavy flannel underciothing Of
! excellent quality are enough for all ordinary
| travel For unusual exposure, an overcoat slight
| ly lined with dogskin n heavy woollon tepidk Ia
| hooded shirt, generally Of sealskn) is sufficient.
Anv well-ncd skull cap, with ear flaps will do for
| head covering No satisfactory means of protect
| isg the face il known Wooen with outer sealskin
| mittens form iil ting hand.goar No single kind of