New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10
A SOJOCRN or JAN M1YEN.
FRENCH PLANS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES
IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN.

FRENCH PLANS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES
IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN.
France not TO be behind IN the field of scientific
research, has determined upon another Arctic ex-
petition That there Is opportunity for fresh dis
covcrics I'm the polar Is shown in the facts dis
cussed bv the congress held at Rome In 1870, where
France Germany Denmark. Austria. sweden, Russia
and Holland were represented. Tho international
assembly resolved at the time upon the necessity OF
fixed plan for exploring these regions while at the
congress held later ST. Petersburg, Ii was decided
to occupy eight stations In the northern and two In
the southern hemisphere At Of the latter sta
lions. called Cape Horn, WAS French observatory
under tho supervision OF NJ Martial, captain OF the
frlcatc and Of the Romanche. Martial and his col
aLora,ors ut Cape Horn having contributed many rare
specimens Of geology besides discoveries OF great
value. to the Academy OF sciences.
II IS now proposed to send Captain Dlename with
the dlspatch.boat La Manche TO inspect the cod
fisheries OF Iceland and also to explore the regions
beyond. Ia Nanche viii push beyond Iceland and
tho polar circle rs far the island Of Jan Mayen.
situated northward II degrees OF latitude and there
undertake a series OF scientific observations The
polar regions are regarded by scientists locality
rich I'm resources for the student OF natural history
The metcoric specimens. the electricity and mag
nc- the geological formations ard lastly the animal
and vegetable life peculiar TO Iceland We'll repay the
boat. capable Of a speed o, twelve knots an hour.
She belongs 10 the class Of dispatch transports. with
an armament OF four li-pound cannon. Her hold
carries cargo which. In case OF necessity, could be
supplemented by stock 81 provisions and com
bu,tibles The voytrcrs, 1870. well supplied with
heavy clothing n sacguar against the risors OF the
climate Tho boat contains the best mechanical de-
vices for heating. Nothing has been omitted that
might contribute to the comfort and convenience OF
the party.
At the time when the Romanchc sailed for the South
Pole the Austrlans established a centre OF observation
at Jan Maycn. Their expedition left the Adrlatc
April . i--2 their boat the Poa. bound for the
extreme northern regions by way Of Bergen, Norway.
on May 30 the voyagers encountered obstacle I'm
the shape Of a solid wall of Ice extending rs far
the eye could reach. Not being able TO discover
free passage they Obliged TO defer their observa
lions until July ~, when they arrived finally at Jan
Maven Upon this desolatc island covered with lava
crSts and the ashes OF volcanic eruptons the Austrian
sailor, and savants spent entire year. subsistng
upon fish. Wild fowl and bear meat. In winter the
thermometer registered ~ degrees below and In
mer , degrees aoove zero. Despite their hardships
and privatons the Austrian party returned crowned
with added To which was the satisfaction or
having secured Information invaluable 10 science.
France. upon her own account i now to continue the
Investigations begun at Jan Mayen. II Is for this
that Lieutenant Graz. of the Austrian marines.
has been prevailed upon 10 embark upon the Manchc,
tho present expedition being not question OF under
taking again the researches already made, but for the
verihcation of important points OF detail. With
NJ Graft associated NM Rabot and Ponoh et.
professor of tho College Of France. Beside the officers
81 the Mauchc, tho party comprises NM EXclmans.
CariOrt Leprucc, lnncclin and DE Banprc The
latter will pass Il month at the observatory Of Mont
sours In order to ianlllarze themselves with the use
OF the instruments Of natural history TO be employed
ut Jan Maycn.