New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-04

Dr. Nansen is destined to make his name
amiliar to Americans by following in the wake
of the ice bound Jeanette, and ustiying Belongs
ambition to reach the North Pole by the north
west drift of the Arctic foes. His second eX-
petition, for which preparations are now making,
Will mark the resumption of the phantom quest
northward which has allured one generation of
bold navigatos after another into the glittering
realms of the tabled Ice King. These volumes con-
tanning the record of his first campaign of adven-
ture in Greenland, disclose the pluck. determine
ton, intrepidity and resources of the man who
hopes to socceed where DeLong seiled. 1t is a
graphic and animated recital of the first crossing
of Greenland. translated admirably into English
from the Norwegian.
This journey was first suggested in 1882, when
Dr. hansen was on board q Norwegian seaer,
which had been caught in the ice off the cast of
Greenland He returned from that voyage i'm
pressed with the idea that it practicable for
explorers 10 reach over the foes coast that
considered impenetrable. Nordenskold's en-
ploratons in the interior, conducted about that
time, demonstrated the facility with which long
distances over snowfelds could be covered by
men shod with the ski" or Norwegian snOwshoe.
Dr. Nansen at once perceived that the SKI
would enable small party of explorers landing
on the foes of the east coast to go across the
snowfieds and reach the Danish settlements
The plan was proposed in scientific journals and
finally carried out with financial aid from Augustln
Camel the patron of the expedition. DR.. Nansen
had five companions in his march across the foes
three Norwegians and two Lapps-dll hav-
ing been accustomed from youth to the
of the snowshoe. The leader himself had
been from childhood an expert skilober," and
he based his prospects of success in crossing
Greenland almost entirely upon the superiority
of &c VIII larpp O
had to be traversed These snowshoes are
strips of wood, eight feet long and an inch thick
under the foot, bevelling off to quarter of an
inch at each end. In front these sticks are
curved upward, and pointed. and sometimes at
the back end also The attachment consists of
loop made of leather for the toe, and
band passing round behind the heel.
Shoe and foot are made as rigid as possible Tor
steering purposes while the heel is allowed TO
rise freely at all times. On fiat ground the SKI
are driven forward by a peculiar stride there
being no resemblance TO the motion employed III
skating. With the in good condition eight
or nine miles can be made within the hour, while
an average of seven miles hour can he main
tanned for long periods. On the slope of almost
any gradient these snow-stclis can be employed
most effectively. ascent being made either ny
feather-stitching lacking, and the safety of the
descent being dependent upon the facility of
keeping the balance.
The equipment of this Arctic expedition WINS
simple but scientific. The explorer originally In
tended TO take either dogs reindeer to drag
the baggage on the land march, but he found II
TO be impracticable to get the animals, and was
compelled to depend upon men alone. Care was
taken to have everything which was to be car
ried as light possible aud to reduce 1000, I'M
plements and clothing TO minimum of weight.
no sle
rescue party in the Greedy expedition, being made
of picked ash and provided with broad runners
turned up at each end and with a bow at the
back which could be used for pushing and steering
There were five slcdges. one for each ma, the
first one on the march being usually drawn by
two men. In order 10 convert the sledges INTO
sailing craft it only necessary to lash them
side by side and to raise bamboo staffs Tor mastS
with the floor of the tent and two tarpaulins for
sails The ski" or snOw-sticks were supple
mented by Indian snowshoes and Norwegian
"trupersn Only one boat taken-about
nineteen feet long, with runners Of pine added to
the keel to support it while it was being hauled
over the ice There were two sleeping-bags of
reindeer and doe skin-each holding three men,
The clothing to be worn was selected Win pains
taking care The tent weighed eighteen pounds
The alcohol cooker" patterned after one
used by Greedy. The provisions consisted largely
of dried articles Of food. daily ration Tor a
man weighed about two pounds and quarter,
comprising dried meat, fatty food, bread or
biscuit. pea soup, peptonized meat, chocolate and
sugar To these supplies added two double
barrelled guns with ammunition, scientific IN
strnments q camera and small stock OF TOOLS
Four of the sledges when fully loaded averaged
200 pounds, while the fifth was nearly double as
much.
Tho east coast of Greenland reached by
means ~ q Norwegian sealer, on which the party
of six embarked in Iceland on June 4, 1888. The
condition of the ice did not admit OF an attempt
N apnroach Greenland until July L. Then the
sealer was left behind and the SIX explorers set
ont for the Shore with their baggage in two boats
one their own and the other borrowed from the
shin. The first attempt TO reach land by open
lanes through the foes not successful, and
for MANY DAYS the explorers, with their sledges,
boats and tent, were compelled TO drift with the
ice. passing from the 66th to the ed parallel
On JULY 20 the foe carried them 10 the inner
cdge of the ice-belt and enabled them to reach
the shore by long stretch of smooth water
Thence they headed northward for the Gath par
allel. where they we're to begin their land journey
at a point directly opposite the Danish settle
ment of Godthaab. On their way up the coast
they came suddenly upon two East Greenlanders
LITTLE men dressed in scaskin, with covering
for the head except few strings OF beads. \
DAY or two aiterward they received an Eskimo
welcome at large cncampment Of these strange
people. most interesting account of the habits
and traits Of these Pagan Eskimos is given by
the author in chapter which Is an important
contribution to the science of sociology. Various
settlements were passed on the journey northward
10 the last station on the easy coast Then prep
arations were deliberately made for the land cX-
petition The start for the west coast was made
on August ), after the boats had been hauled
on shore and abandoned The destination was
reached early in October. The crossing Of the
inland ice, which is described in detail, forms
the main narrative of the book, but is necessarily
monotonouS recital In the crossing of that
icy desert there could he few incidents. One
day was Ike annther-the same unhroken Level