Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-02-26
a New Arctic !sypcdition.

An Arctic expedition, with the North
Pole as its objective point, has been
quietly organized in Washington, and
in Two weeks viii start on its journey.
Walter Wellman, who for some years
has been prominent newspaper cor
respondent, is the protector and leader
of the enterprise la his party are
three other Americans-Prot. Frenou,
of The coast and geodetic survey, who
goes as the scientific observer, with an
admirable set Of instruments for that
purpose Dr.. Thos y. Mohnn, a we'll
known practioner as medical officer,
ami Charles c. Dodge OF the Navy De-
partment, as artist and photographer
'rne expedition abandons the Greenland
route, which has been followed by so
many previous expeditions, and goes by
the way of Norway and Spiizbergen,
the latter group Of islands lying to
the east Of northern Greenland. In
Norway 10 or II more men will join the
party. several of them being scientific
Investigators connected with the uni
yelsitv at Chrisiiana, and others, men
Of experience in the icetields.
The staunch ice-working steamer
K RIgusvaidjarl, Of Aalesund, Norway,
has been chartered by the expedition,
and viii carry the party TO the head
quarters, which will be established
Il the northwestern corner OF
>ni,zbergen. This point is in latitude
SO north, Just half way from Tromsoe,
Norway, to the Pole. Unless the sea-
son proves to he an extraordinary one:
the steamer will sail from Tromsoe 10
;he headquarters in five days, and the
party VIII thus be easily and quickly
placed rs far north as the average Are
tic explorer is able to penetrate by
months or years OF eil9r. hy the Green
land route. At their headquarters the
Weliman party will be seven hundred
statute miles from the Pole. Their ef-
fort from this point north is not 10 he
made in ship. Their steamer carries
them 10 the edge Of the ic pa X which
covers the sea. and leaves them. acting
thereafter as dispatch boat TO carry let
ters to Norway,and 10 wait for the party
on theii return from the far North in
the autumn.
The plans of this party call for Il dash
toward the Pole. They expect to do
al they can do in a single summer, and
10 return to Norway in October. and to
America in November. In travelling
norlhward over the ice, they will he
composed Of two parties, polar party
ana q supporting party, each Of seven
4 - u Il nlN, tst-n
ty-Gve days, the supporting party re-
turus. The polar party continues north
ward for fifty or sixty days, and Mr..
Weliman though declining to give an es-
innate as to how far he will go,saysan ad-
vance of ten miles per day would be
reasonable expectation. In the jour
ney over the ice specially light and
strong boats and sleds made in Balti
more Of aluminium will be used, and
also other devices of the same metal to
assist the men TO get over the hum
mocks and rough places. Fifty draught
dogs from western Europe will afford
animal power and be converted into
food for the remaining dogs, Or for the
men, when their services are no longer
needed.
Advantage will be taken of the spe-
cially concentrated foods of this age,
which enable man to live upon a pound
and a half or two pounds per day. The
object Of the expedition is 10 penetrate
far enough within the great unknown
polar area TO solve what is known as
the Arctic problem, for whose unfold
ing man has been struggling so many
wears. Mr.. Wellman believes this road
10 the pole is entirely practicable, and
that some ono will travel it within the
next ten years. LIE shows his faith in
his theory by starting himself. Prof.
Mendenhan, ofthe Coast Survey, Com
mander Melville and other Arctic stu
dents believe the plan 4 sound one,
and the equipment strong gand effective.
Announcement Of the project has
been received with great interest IL all
circles. especially among scientific men.