Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-16
TO EXPLORE ARCTIC REGIONS
The Plans of the Stein Expedition APP
proved BY Experts.
To skirt the Coast Of EIIesmere Land
"A Start 10 he Made Next May
A New Course to the Pole.

Another arctic expedition is being fitted
out In this city, having for its special OBJ
lect the exploration of the unknown coast
west OF Ellesmere Land, b. c., the eastern
strip OF which only is represented on the
charts OF that part of the world.
The proposed expedition will be led by
Mr.. Robert Stein of the United States geo.
logical survey, and will be supported by
voluntary contributions, to be solicited from
those interested in a better geographical
knowledge of the lands of the arctic Mr.
STEMS plans have been submitted to a
board of members of the Geographical So
ciety. Gen. A. w. Greedy and Commodore
q. w. Melville, each of whom has had prac-
teal experience in polar explorations, in
oorse Mr.. STEMS plan of operation as prom
Using the largest result with the least
amount OF labor and danger.
The General Plan.
The expedition will turn to the westward
OF Bafhns bay, skirting the southern ex-
tremity of Ellesmere Land. Former ex-
plorers have pursued their way toward the
pole through the channels which divide the
Ellesmere-Grinnell-Gran Land from Green
land, consequently the shore on each side
has become well known, and bears the
names given to IT by the explorers, from
lng1efieid TO Greedy. The experience Of
these travellers has suggested that the more
accessible avenues leading westward will
be less dangerous to the explorers. Besides
while these explorers were endeavoring to
reach the north pole, and the latest trav-
eler going over the path of his predeces-
sors, the western shore of Ellesmere-Grin-
nell Land has been neglected except one
point touched by Lockwood and Brainard
Mr.. Stein does not believe IL is necessary
to defend polar exploration. He believes
that the main object of these routes into the
arctic area justify the dscomforts and dam
gers which are too often the only reward
of the explorer. He points out that the
meteorology of the arctic forms the key
stone of the whole science OF the weather
The science Of geodesy will remain imper-
feet until the pendulum has been swung
close to the very pole Important additions
TO the science OF magnetism may be looked
for from researches in the vicinity Of the
magnetic pole. Especially the fascinating
phenomenon of the aurora. the grandest in
stance of light without heat. may yield re-
markable disclosures when studied in the
area of its greatest intensity.
To Start Next May.
Mr.. Stein proposes TO start next May, and
to trace this unknown shore so far as can
be done in one summer, from a base OF
operations always within easy reach. That
base of operations will be at the entrance
Of Jones sound, on the route pursued by
the whaling steamers which annually fire.
quent the whaling grounds in Lancaster
sound, about eighty miles south of Jones'
sound. A party Of not less than eight men
VIII leave St Johns, Newfoundland, on one
Of these whaling steamers In May, 1884 and
return in October of the same year Having
landed them at the base of their operations
the whaler viii proceed TO the whaling
grounds.
At the base the party will erect a house
fit to winter in, should occasion arise, with
provisions enough for two years. Two men
will remain to guard the depot and make
observations. The others will travel west
ward and northward along the unknown
shore as far as they can go. A preliminary
trip of two weeks viii determine the best
mode of travel, whether by launch, by
whaleboat or by sledge. and will serve. at
the same time. to establish an advance
depot At the end OF eighty DAYS the ex-
plorers will be hack at the base. on the
specified day in September the steamer will
call for them and take them back to St
Johns.
Mr. Stein is the translator in the geo.
logical survey, and is Of course greatly in
terested in his proposed trip. He is a
slightly built man for one who must stand
the rigors of even an arctic summer. but
for that matter Gen. Greedy Is not Of her.
culean frame. and Commodore Melville who
concluded his arctic eVneriences with a Pc
riod Of almost incredible SUFFERING ana pri-
walton. suggests mental vitality. rather than
physical endurance