The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1895-10-04

This idea was strengthened by the re-
suit of James Gordon Benefits Jean
cite" expedition of 1928. The Jean
cite" was shipwrecked between 20 de-
grees and rs degrees north latitude and
155 degrees longitude east of Green
witch. Three years after, some Of the
ships stores were found near Cape
Farewell, the southern extremity of
Greenland, directly opposite the pole,
from where they had been cast in the
sea. 1t was evident that they must
have been driven across the polar re-
gions.
DR.. hansen considered this theory,
demonstrated and reasoned that IL he
could have placed himself upon the
stores lost by the jeanette" he would
have crossed with them the Polar sea.
But this Is far from the only proof of
trans-polar current Every week
large quantities of driftwood arrive on
Spitzbergen island and Greenland
coasts by the polar route from Siberia.
In this way the Eskimo is pro-
vided with all the wood he needs for
houses, tools and fire. without 1t he
could not exist. Furthermore, DR.. Nan
sen caused experts to examine the
earth and rocks found on the ice which
drifts along the Greenland coast, and
1t was decided that these were identi-
cal with those of Siberia and must
nave drifted on the ice across the pole.
In short, DIR. Nansen concluded that
there is short current flowing directly
across the polar region, and that If
vessel could De built strong enough to
resist the pressure of the ice, 1t would
be possible to drift with that current
across the pole.
DR.. hansen concluded that there
must be an open polar sea, partially
| from the fact that the majority of the
| North Pole expeditions have been
stopped, not, as most people believe,
| by Ice, but by open waters. The Aus
trian Ungarn expedition was stopped
| by open water at S2.5 degrees north
latitude. Lieutenant Lockwood of the
Greeley expedition was likewise stopped
| by open water at 1924 degrees north
latitude. OF course it will be under
stood that the open water prevents the
| progress of dogs over the ice.
Even If the theory of an open polar
sea should not prove reality, DR..
| Nansen is likely to pass through the
mysterious region frozen tightly into
an immense ice place over which he
| Will have no control. In this case 1t Is
not certain that he will be able to pass
directly over the pole, but may be car
| ried some little distance to either side
of 1t. He is in hopes. however, with
the assistance of his dogs and sleighs
| to reach the very point where the
| earth's axis terminates the true geo.
graphical pole.
| Fran" DR.. Nansen's vessel, Is pos
| sibly the strongest and the most care
fully built ship afloat Its construction
Is such that when the ice freezes solid
| ly around it and begins to press
against the sides, it win be lifted or
pushed upward, and will rest on the top
| of the Ice long enough before the crush
ing point is reached, The bottom is
fiat. the sides have great shear. 1t is
rugged like three-maSted schooner and
has screw propeller, which gives a
speed of eight miles an hour. 1t car
ries coal-oil and provisions for five
years, though the trip is calculated to
last only three.
On previous polar expeditions 1t has
been found difficult to keep the frost
from penetrating the sides of the ship.
| 1t was not rare to have the mattresses
| under the sailors to turn into Jumps of
| ice. DR.. Nansen has had layers of
| by frost, placed along the sides and un-
| der the deck. Pains have been taken
| to furnish the vessel as warmly as pos
sible and a dynamo will furnish cleo
| trio light during the long nights. A
Windmill is to furnish the power; If
| that fails it has been so arranged that
| the men in taking their daily walks
xcan at the same time furnish the power
~or the generator DR.. Nansen was
also careful to have the ship stocked
with a good library.
| DIR. Nansen has on q previous occa-
sion shown his skill and perseverance,
He Is the only person who has ever
| crossed over the interior of Greenland.
In 1888 he undertook the feat and was
| crowned with success.
Before l left DIR. Nansen's home,
Madame Nansen showed me his study.
The library contains large percentage
of all the books that have ever been
| written on travels and explorations.
The walls are filed with all manner of
relics which DIR. Nansen has brought
from Greenland and other Arctic re-
gions.
1 Ventured to suggest to Madame
hansen that the parting scene between
her and her husband must have been
exceptionally touching. Her reply was
civilization has brought with it great
| self-control, and now the mind and not
the inclination rules"
It was a characteristic utterance Of
brave mans plucky wife.
| an w A Unnrr pnCr