Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-11-18
Dr. NANsEN,s PLAN.
New Features In His scheme for Push
ing TO the North Pole.

New Features In His scheme for PUSH
ing TO the North Pole.
DIR. Nansen, who sailed from
Christiania on his little vessel Fran.
10 force his way into the Arctic Ice
near the New Siberian islands for the
purpose OF drifting to the north pole,
took some precautions for possible re-
treat which were not mentioned in his
plans OF the expedition. A party has
been sent out to leave stores OF pro-
visions for twelve men at two places
on the island of kotelnoi. the largest
Of the new Siberian islands. These
depots will be inspected in 1894 and
1898 to see that they are still service
able. They are to be maintained for
the purpose of replenishing the
stock OF food il the explorers find IL
necessary TO abandon their ship and
retreat south over the Ice to the ST.
berian coast
DR.. hansen will not retreat south
unless fatal disaster overtakes his
vessel before he reaches the north
pole II he should lose his vessel
after reaching the pole no would stock
his boats with food and drag them
south on sledges until he reached the
open waters OF the East Greenland
sea. He did not wish to take single
pound OF food from the supplies on
the Fran for these depots, and 50 an
independent party has been sent out
TO cache an ample stock Of provis-
ions on the island.
Another new feature OF his scheme
is the waking along OF dogs TO assist in
sledge hauling il he Is compelled 10
abandon his vessel This idea was
suggested By the success OF Peary In
employing dogs upon the inland ice.
II, however he should find the ice OF
the Arctic ocean very rough his dogs
would be useless, as they have never
been found available under exceed
ingly rough conditions of the ice.
Sealers report that the sea around
the new Siberian islands was quite
open in 1888. 1889 and 1890, and that
within the last two years during the
summer season there has been very
little ice in that neighborhoOd eli
this condition prevails this sea on
hansen will be able TO steam u con-
siderable distance north Of the
islands before he forces his vessel
into the ice.
Nansen Is a student and scientific
man, but no has not the art Of max
ing himself very popular with the
general public. The result Is that
his countrymen, a. a rule. did not
take nearly as much interest in his
project az the time no started as
they did soon after he announced IL
when he came back from crossing
Greenland. The result was that no
did not secure quite as much money
as he desired for his equipment.
though he believes no Is amply sup
piled with all nccessaries for five
years work in the Arctic regions,
Some authorities have faith that
hansen will find the current north Of
the New Siberian islands upon which
he depends TO carry his vessel TO the
north pole lie does not. however.
expect to reach that ncighborhood.
even II nc has excellent luck. In less
than two or three years Il will not
be surprising, says the New York
sun, II Lieutenant Peary outstrips
him in the race.
II the north polo 5 still TO be
striycn for, ono advantage % having
two expeditions In the field Is that.
II both succeed, the report 81 ono
with regard 70 the condition exist.
ing there will confirm the inform n.
ton brought home by the other. and
will thus convince even the skeptical
that the north pole has really been
reached. II has often been said that
even il party reached the polo
most people would DO inclined to
doubt it until confirmation OF the
fact was secured by another cxpedi-
tion.