The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-12

and the skill OF Mr.. Mcclure, our engineer,
yet with their fittirgs they run 70 con
siderable weight. our three boats weigh
I,2OO pounds so pounds less than ono Of
Parry's weighed. We might safely start
With only two hoats. buI where human
lie is IN .he balance ons oarnet sford 20
taxe unneces sary chan COS. la this eGsrt
b. penetrate tho unknoygD rec ions We are
= tying to do whist many eople cGil Tecs-
less hing in = careful way. So We shall
cling to our three boats as long as yossi-
blc
70 being necessary 20 leave the land, we
shall not b. able to establish depots O TO
sena out advance parties, as has been She
case with most siedging expeditions that
have attempted TO come long distances.
This is one reason why our total weight Is
about as great as that of former sledge
parties notwithstanding the great sdyan-
uaqe which We get out Of aluminium
boats and sledges and concentrated foods.
Besides we are going equipped for jour-
ney Of 1lo days, which Is longer period
than any other sledge party has ever been
out without the aid Of dopots or Of a land
fllled with game. Going for so long an
absence from civilization, TO be prudent
we must have an ample store OF medicines
and surgical Instruments, of reserve cloth.
ing, especially boots. We must carry
Photographic cameras and astronomical
instruments.
Be'ug So long in country absolutely
destitute OF fuel. we must make sure OF
having enough alcohol with US to melt
our snow and do our cooking. Our weights
are made heavier, too, by the fact that we
take dogs with us for motive power, as 1t
Is necessary to carry some food for them.
But the dogs will doubtless give us assist
ance far beyond the weight which we
must carry Oh account of them and en-
able us to move SO much the fcster
without going too much into details,
which might not prove interesting at the
present Inomcnt, our wei Us are approx.
mately IS follows: The Shrac boats, I,200
pound, oars, paddles baThoo push poles
tor mtsts) awnings, boathooks, etc, 400
POUNDS; five aiumigium sledges, 400
pounds one wooden slsdye, 40 pounds;
alcohol $50 pounds; 10 pairs skis and
bamboo ski poles, 10 pounds; seven pairs
snowshoe 90 pounds; sleeping bags ~ rein
deer skin for l. men, 40 pounds; photo
graphic instruments ard plates 25 POUNDS,
astronomical and notecro oglcal instru-
ments, o5 pounds, extra clothing bngs for
surgical Instruments. Including lime juice
tablets and spirits, ~ pounds; tobacco, 80
pounds; guns aud ammunition, 40
pounds; food for men and packing. o,3v0
pounds; dog cakes, 400 pounds, reserve
boots aud clothing, rcPiir tools, axes aod
shovels dishes and cooking machines, ice
CT epcrs, inc.deu tal, 250 pounds. At the
start we shall have a5ont 600 pounds OF
devices destined TO help ng over our cif'i-
culties, such as snow paths, ladders, g O.,
some of which we expect to throw away,
and all Of which may be soon discarded.
After our first week u is rot likely Our to-
ra weight will exceed 5000 pouLtsT, or
about 400 pounds per man, or oniy 100
pounds to the man ana dog. With any
tting like decent load ye should be rbls
10 move along Mt promising Sate OF
speed.
The day and wee, closed with no change
In tho wind or ics, save thai Tho Ragny yald
Jsrl vas by this time completely inclosed
by the pack. It was a droary scene which
met tho eye as we assembled Co the crow 5
nest. An expressive par phrase might be,
Water water everywhere, and not drop
in sightl' Tho ocean was literally sea
ct Ice.
Our men still show q tendency to forget
when it Is night No one wants TO go 20
bed when the time comes nor to get up at
the proper hour Meals are served later
and later, and if we arc not careful we
will slip a sufficient number OF cogs to
throw US back mn entire day and find our
selves serving breakfast in the evening
and supper IN the morning. At midnight
half our party Tere ashore locking for
bear and sliding down The Icy hi on skis
"a SPORT with which we Americans have
become as much Fascinated a. our Nor
woCian comrades The temp, nature was
delightful, ran g.ng from 1C to Q. u.
WALTER WELLMAE.