The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-11
N.iSSEN'S PLANS.
New Features in Hts Scheme for Pushing to
the North Pole.

| New Features In Hts Scheme for Pushing to
the North Pole.
DR.. Manson who sailed from Christiana two
| weeks ago or his little vessel Fran to force his
way into the Arctic Ice near tho New Siberian
Islands for the purpose OF drifting to the north
| pole. took some precautions for a possible
! retreat which were not mentioned In his plans
| OF tho expedition. A party has been sent out
| to leave stores OF provisions for twelve men at
| two places on the Island OF Kotelnol. the
largest OF the New Siberian Islands. These
| depots will be inspected in 1894 and 1906 to
see that they are still serviceable. They are to
be maintained for the purpose OF replenishing
the stock OF food II the explorers find 1t neces-
sary to abandon their ship and retreat south
over the ice to the Siberian coast.
Dr. Nansen 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 he would stock
his boats with food and drag them south on
sledges until he reached tho open waters of
the East Greenland sea. He did not wish to
take a single pound Of food from the supplies
on the Fran for these depots and SO an indie
pendent party has been snnt out to cache an
taking, along of dogs TO assist In sledge haul
This idea was suggested by the success OF
Perry H in employinG dogs nnon the inland Ice.
H. however, lie Snpull llnu tlt Ice OF tne Arctic
Ocean very rough his dogs would be useless
as they have never been found available un-
der exceedingly rough conditions OF the ice.
sea lers report that the sea around the New
Siberian Islands was quite open in 1883, 1880
and 1890. and that within the past two years
during the summer season there has been
very little ice in that neghborhood. If this
condition prevails this season Nansen will be
able to steam a considerable distance north Of
the islands before he forces his vessel into the
ice.
hansen Is q student and scientific man. but
he has not the art OF making himself very
popular with the general public. The result
IL that his countrymen. AS a rule. did not take
nearly as much interest in his project ut the
time he started as they did soon after he an
nounced it when he came back from crossing
Greenland. The result was that he did not
secure quite as much money as he desiredr
supplied with all necessares 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. II does not. how |
ever, expect to reach that neiGhborhood. even |
IL he has excellent luck. in less than two or |
three years. 1t will not be surprising If Lieut..
Peary outstrips him in the race.
If the north pole is still to DO striven for. one
advantage OF having two exploring parties in |
the field is that. II both succeed. tho report OF |
one with regard TO the conditions existing
there will confirm the Information brought |
home by the other. and will thus convince even
skeptical people that the north pole has really
been reached 1t has often been said that
even il a party reached the pole most people
ton Of the fact was secured by another expo
ditiOn. |