The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-27
NANSEN'S COMING VOYAGE.
HIS LATEST PLANS FOR THE DRIFT
ACROSS THE POLAR SEA.


Years Trip--Experts shake their Hesds.
There is not an Arctic authority in England
or America who heartily endorses the plan Of
Dr. hansen for exploring tho Polar basin.
Nutwith standing this fact. the Royal Geo.
graphical Society OF England has given him a
considerable sum OF money to help carry
out his project, and over $4,000 was raised
for him in Norway. The mans enthusiasm.
his sublime faith In tho value OF his theories.
and his undoubted qualifications as an Arctic
traveller have inspired many to help him
start on his journey oven though they are
doubtful OF his success. DIR. Nansen went to
London two weeks ago to read paper before
tho Geographical Society and tell the
members how he expected to spend their
money. A very large audience heard him ex-
plain his theories and plans. which have been
considerably changed since he first conceived
the idea OF drifting In tho Ice toward tho Pole.
lie said he intended to start next spring for
the New Siberian islands or the mouth Of ths
Lena River. He had at first thought Of going
by way OF Behrng Strait, but had finally do.
cided to enter the Arctic Ocean through the
Kara Sea- north Of Europe. lie thinks that
August or early In September will be tho right
time to 60 northward along tho west shores OF
tho New Siberian islands In order to reach the
highest point attnlnable in tho open water
When he reaches tho northern limit OF navi-
cation there will DO nothing to do except to
enter the Ice at tho most favorable spot and
put his trust in tho current which he believes
runs across the polar region.
DIR. Napsen gave an interesting description
OF the wooden vessel which has Just been CON-
pleted for his use. His two predominant ideas
In building it were to make it as small and as
strong as possible. 1t Is Just big enough to
carry twelve men. with provisions and fuel to
last for five or six years. lilo has named her
looking littlo tub. and will be neither fast
ha m S
axnocts Of her nnms,v riso 70 ths snr,sce .,
tho Ice when the Noes crush in upou her in.
stead OF being ground to pieces By them. She
Of six knots an hour. with a consumption Of
o,, tons of coal n day. He made her IA small
.,,,o.sihL, hooon.a ,ho urhtor .ho ,.s hnrt
the more easily she could be lifted by the Ice
sides. It was also easier to mako small ship
AS srea. lengtM Is Weakn oss uut,ns ,ns
wa SsI Suiit A Observation-Disclosures broad as COM
pared with her length. She Is only 1ol feet
long and her breadth is ope.third Of her
length; flat sidss were afHoIuea as mucn az
ines fhers are no sharp pro,sctinr corners
and every, edge has been broken and rounded.
Even the Keel projects s very iittie; Inc snip Is
pointed at both enus. anu on inc Mn0le Ieaem-
bles NorweEan pilot boat; me ne, bott4m is
comparativciy nat 80 mat tne shlP H.. VIII n not
| the, ice. The sides are from twenty-eight
| INCHES to thirty-two inches In thickness. =
She will be rugged as three masted fore and.
aft scho9ner; ~. ham DIM. 70 nrov,a. ann.
and comfortable saloon and cabins. With y
displacement Of 800 tons the vessel has Q
cargo. Equipment and provisions are not
| likely to weig much over az tons. and 80 over
| 300 tons bearing capacity will he left FOR coal
leum will be largely used. and there Will DO.
Hrh hH Ears s possbe ON dees TSs
new feature IN Arctic exploration. The eleG;;
T be shsr ey onl
sen says tho Fran has been built with great
raea ONLY t By es s1s 6ap
tion Of circumstances: With this vessel crew
equipment for five years as good as modern ap-
planes can anord: ne thinEs his Rro!eGt hns
carry six very strong boats fully e4uippsd for
Arctic exploration and sledges OF the same
eTossins Of Gseenend Nsnsen Will also take
with him number OF dogs to draG the siedges
Mt ndn and
TeGian skis. sleeping bags made OF reindeer naSes
skn tents ,t 81 Taterproot tanxas
|
| tho walls. He will provide no alcoholic stimu-
lants nor VIII ne permit tho use OF tobacco. pc
cause he thinks 1t reduces the nervous power
and capacity for toll and endurance:
II. in spite OF al his prefnutloha; me snip -
quarters. moving az their provisions; coah:
boats. anu otner eun @ ,o an ha icy mit hs
IS Tor TINS contingency tnat ny 1tns tulI hiS
big boats. each Of 'hen ueeke1i :" .eei long, .
eet pf0ai; a nn so so thn Thus IL the thaorv
could llve IN one OF tne'i. !nus. u a,e tneoI!
OF me leo drlit aSr4Ss .ne pPlnI 4as nd y ~.
rect. the Journey VII DC continues: ahd II INC
batly IS 80 rs W Si,e e to M o; U'Gn
a,fr aian w 1 hnye n" rreat dieuty in re-
turning nome IN thelr bohts. .,..
AithGuGn Arctic rAterts nre hoI dis iht
over Nansen piolect neuiiy ~ u NJ , tns
| the arguments are very plausiplo WIN Wnifh
10 supports me theory tnat tnsre ID z n utt
nowlng current tiht VIII carry tno ice ~ wnlrn
his vessel is confined across the polar basin
isdau , ILL., 10 hia chain ~ owidnncs ,nvnr
| ing tho theory OF this great current from
Siberia to Greenland across the North role.
It Is well known that ne nrst rested ms n9 oP