New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-16
TILE NEU IRCTIC QEEST.

DR.. NanscnS approaching voyage VIII i'"'"
a revival of the Arctic quest on the old-time
line, of maritime adventure. He will start
next year on rowing commission to reach the
North Pole from the open sea without having
a land base of operations. This is what
De Long attempted In tho Jeanette cxpedi-
ton. Putting his ship in the ice between
Herald and Wrangcll islands, he drlfted WIN
the current for nearly two years. When MS
shin was crushed by the ice foes he rotreatHd
TO the Liakhov Islands and tho mouth OF the
Lena Tho disastrous end OF that expedition
would have prevented any renewal OF the Arctic
oIcst from that quarter if it had not been for
an extraordinary discovery made three years
after the loss of the vessel. Several articles
belonging TO the Joannetcs crew were found
in Jun, 1884, on floating ice near Julian'haao'
ut ihr southern extremity of Greenland hilo
tho ship had gone down in one quarter OF the
Arctic Ocean this bit of wrcckage had been
carried to the opposite side by the currents
1t is this direct proof Of natural agencies when
facilitate Polar exploration that las encouraged
DR.. Nanscn to follow in the track OF De Long
As the Joannette's drift during the first year
was very slow, and it was not until the early
spring of the second year that the iorCo OF inc
current was strongly felt. DR.. Nansen has APP
parcnty decided against the Bchring stats
route Ii is now announced. that he will follow
the tract, of the Vega around the northern
hcadlands Of Europe into tie Kara Sea and pass
thence t. the mouth Of the Lena. BY stink
ing the Liakhoy Islands and heading for Ben
mott Island, which De Long discovered on his
retreat toward tho mainland. he hopes to put
4 Al
drift with the ice across the apex Of the Roar
sea. lilo will avoid in this way not only the
long voyage around Cape Horn to Bchnng
strait. but also the pcrilS and delay OF tho
ice passage from WIangcl Island 20 the
De Long Islands. II he follows the mysterious
course of the Jeanette wreckagc and his ship
is not crushed he will reach the North At
lantc in AT least three years. As the current
may not prove constant. but may osclllate, he
intends 10 provision his ship for six years.
In order b avoid the disaster which over
took De Long, Dr. Nansen has built ship
which he is confident cannot be destroyed by
any amount OF icc-nipp'ng. 1t will be of about
go tons and will be shaped rs to he lifted
out Of the leo when the iioos come together.
Eleven men will accompany him. and they Will
be expected 10 ABSTAIN WnOlIN from inc use
Of alcohol and tobacco The engine is Ia be
utilized for tho production OF electric light. 50
that the men will be relieved during winter
from the dispritng depression of the long
Arctic night. Tents, sledges and boats will be
provided for the contingencies Of retreat across
tho ice. and balloon, with the GaS required
for initiating il in storage cylinders, will com
pletc the outfit of the expedition. DIR. Manson
is one Of the most practical of Arctic cxplor-
crs, and in supplying his ship with provisions
has mado scientific study of the problem of
obtaining "A maximum amount OF nourishmcnt
with the minimum o( bulk
This c1p-dition, taken altogether is the IN ST
remarkable ono in the recent annals Of Arctic
exploration. Since Lieutenant pcary has de-
mDnStratcd tina, Greenland does not extend be-
NOnd tho nothernmoSt point reached by Loc X
wood and Branad, the impracticability OF
having a land base for an advance toward the
Pole /, now generally conceded. An ocean cur
rent is apparently the only agency that can
carry an explorer acrosS the arcX Of the Polar
sea In having recourse 20 these natural ia
ciliticS for Arctic transit DIR. Nanscn proceeds
on scientific lines but the cluise which he is
deliberately planning is perhaps tho most
haza gdous maritime adventure that has ever
been undertaken