The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-19
TO FIND THE NORTH POLE
A Neighbor Of hansen Thinks the.
Norwegian Explorer Will
Succeed.
His Proposed Expedition Attract
ing Attention Through
out the Country.
Advantages He win Have Over Others
Who Have Preceded Him Over
Other Routes.

daring and dauntless Norseman, DR.. Fritjof
Nansen, is just now attracting much atten-
ton among all who have followed the for
tunes of those who in other years have
sailed northward on those dangerous mis-
sions, says the Minneapolis Journal. DR..
Nansen has many admirers in his native
country, as we'll as in other portions Of the
world, admirers who recognize his ability
and his strong native common sense and in
trepidity. One Of these admirers is found
in the person Of Capt. n. A. Selliken, re-
Gently Of Bergen, Norway, but now resi-
dent of Minneapolis.
Mr.. Selliken has been sea captain for IA
wears, and during that time has been in
every part Of hsworld. For several years
past he was at the head Of . large Norwegian
whaling company and at one time it's pro-
prietor. This company's northern station
was at Syltefjord, Finnmarken, sixteen
miles from Vardo, the northmost city Of
Norway. For many years the captains life
has been spent in these arctic waters and on
shore his home has been among those who
love the sea. He has vast store Of nauti-
cal information and is very entertaining
conversationalist, especially in his native
tongue, in which, quite naturally, he oon-
verses most fluently. His home has been in
the northern city of Bergen, where for years
DR., Nansen has lived an honored and re-
spected citizen, the director of the museum
Of natural history in that city. man of
wide and deep culture and an enthusiast
upon all topics having bearing upon the
problems involved in the discovery of the
north pole. Captain Selliken lived but a
few squares from the museum and the home
of Dr., Nansen, and between the two strong
friendship grew up which has since con-
tinued.
CAPT. seliiken has presented many valu-
able specimens to the museum with which
DR.. Nansen is connected, Of the great mon
sters he had hunted in the seas. DR.. Nam
sen is q young man about 30 years of age,
and has always been mostenthusiasttc is all
matters pertaining to sciences. His educa-
as a northern navigator, make him particu-
larly we'll fitted for this great undertaking
which his government is assisting him to
make. His recent explorations in Green
land are we'll known.
DO you believe he will succeed?'' was
asked of Capt. Selliken.
Eyes, think he will" said the captain,
he has the advantage Of the experience Of
all previous navigators in search of the
pole. They have attempted to reach it by
way of Greenland. whereas DR.. Nansen will
60 in the opposite direction, by way of Beh
ring strait. He will make his last coaling
far north as possible q BY boat,
20 fnd al an or open % sea. " But should Id
he not find it he will abandon the boat and
make the balance Of the journey with sledges
over the ice fields. His boat will be provi-
struoted that it may be raised up and not
crushed when the ice floats around it. It is
not large, being about 800 tons burden. He
has every reason to believe that a north our
rent exists, and in support Of this theory is
the fact that there came into the port Of
land. cake Of ice on which we're frozen q
pair of oil-skin breaches, marked with the
name Of one Of the sailors Of the Jeanette.
which sank near the New Siberian islands,
what will be the great benefit to the
world should he succeedr"
There are many benefits for the scientific
world; I can only speak as sailor. In the
first place he will establish the exact posi-
ton Of the pole star, thus insuring data for
more accurate calculations for mariners.
Second. he will discover, possibly, the cause
of the variations in the compass. From the
moment you pass the equator going north
ward, the compass begins to vary With every
tically valueless. It il Ill conjecture as to
what the great magnetic force is which at
tracts the needle, and it's exact location has
never been determined. The much discussed
question as to whether there is an open sea
at the pole will be of immense interest and
this question DR.. Nansen hopes to solve.
Then, the question of the tides, which way
they set, etc., will be Of vast interest and
importance"
''What do you think Of this idea Of men
going on these exploring expeditions, when
they take their lives in their hands and 20
among 90 many dangers"
"why, of course they risk their lives, but
what Of that? The best scientists in the
world will be glad to accompany Dr.. Nan
sen on hie journey. Take their lives in
is the danger compared with the possibility
Of learning that which not yet is known3"
"What do you think of the chances of
DR.. Nansen succeedinR?"
.'Dr. Nansen," said the captain. with deep
earnestness, lis one of the cleverest men 1
ever knew. and You may rest assured If he
does not succeed no one else need try"