The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-21

"The results to be attained will DO
the solution Of a great geographical
problam-the northern extent Of Green
land, second only in Importance to the
discovery Of the north pole; the possible
discovery of the most practicable and
direct route TO the pole, and the Ger
tainty OF important additions to our
knowledge of geography, %ethnology.
meteorology, geology and glaciation."
The opinion that Greenland extends
to the north pole is not, however, shared
by Lieutenant Peary; but he does be-
lieve that the discovery of the pole de-
ponds almost entirely on the complete
mapping of Greenland, and in particular
it's upper boundary. Basing his meth
DDS on experience gained in former tours
of exploration in the frozen north, Lieu
tenant Peary and his party will make
the trip on foot: starting from Whale
sound over the inland snow, to a point
supposed to be the northern terminus
OF Greenland, In So degrees north lati-
tuds and about 1000 miles northeast Of
Whale sound.
The party will so from New York by
steam whaler to Whale sound, arriving
at the latter place about July. The
balance of the summer will be spent in
building a house and laying in a store OF
provisions for the winter. 1t praeti-
cable a reconnaissance will be made over
the inland ice to Humboldt glacier and
a supply depot established. The bal
ance of the winter will be occupied in
making sledges, clothing and travelling
equipment and in snowshoe practice.
Early in the spring several of the
party will go out and establish stations
along the proposed route. The extra
men used on this work will then return
with two or three Of the party, who will
remain at Whale sound, and the time
there will be utilized in hunting, col
lecting specimens and making meteoro-
logical observations. The expedition IN
the interior will be carried on by the re-
mainder of the party, and their mission
being accomplished, they will return to
Whale sound and take the first favor
able opportunity for returning home.
Lieut.. Peary says that experience has
taught him that small parties are the
best for interior explorations, and that
every increase in the number beyond
those essentially necessary is an element
Of danger. my estimate" he said, sis
that we can easily travel from eighteen
to twenty miles a day, and as the dis
lance from Humboldt glacier to the sup
posed Greenland terminus and return is
estimated at LOO miles, the time con
stunned in travelling this distance would
be sixty-six days"
Lieut.. Peary speaks confidently of his
project and it's undoubted success. The
only element of hardship, he says, will
be from exposure to the cold, and this
for a well-fed, well-clothed and healthy
set of men will be only a physical annoy
ance, not a danger. He thus describes
his plans and equipment:
Former attempts to explore the coast
have been made on dog sledges over the
frozen sea. but as the foes are liable to
break at any momen tho explorer is In
danger Of being cut off from this ship and
supplies.
1t ia also difficult to examine the coast
in this manner. as it is indented with deep
narrow bays that reach for miles into the
interior. The journey over the inland ice
will eliminate all these dangers; hundreds
of miles will be saved, and we will be able
to look down from an altitude of 1000 feet
into all the indentations, getting the out
lines of the coast IN accurately as if spread
upon a map. The only danger lies in
storms. and a pit dug in the snow always
affords complete shelter and protection
from these.
Four or five gentlemen besides myself
will comprise my party, and these will be
selected especially for their robust and
hardy natures, and also for the interest
[ am not yet at liberty to give their names,
but | can assure you they will aid me
greatly in the work | shall undertake.
Starvation will have no menace for us, our
food having been selected with especial
care, and will consist of pemmican, hard
bread, baked beans, condensed milk, cram
berry sauce, compressed tea, etc. A spirit
lamp will boil She tea.
The lieutenant thinks his journey will
result in discoveries of greater import
ance than have been made since the
finding of the northwest passage. Let
us hope sc. Good luck attend the
gallant band!