The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-24


Find Out what is Down there and he
port it in the Interest OF Science-He
will Not Use a Steamship but will Re
sort to the Old Sailing System-It viii
Take Three Months-t Get Down to
Freezing Point.
Boston. Mass, Aug. 23.-Beaten and
baffied for the while in its efforts 10
solve the mysteries of the frozen north'
science has again turned its attention
to the almost forgotten terra incognlla
OF the south-the great white continent
that is supposed TO occupy the larger
part Of the earth's surface which lies
within the antartic circle.
This immense unmaped and entlreIy
unknown land exercises over many I'M
aginations a far greater charm than
the long-sought secret Of the Northwest
massage. or even the finding of the
North pole, yet this fruitful field OF ex-
plorati has been neglected, and, with
the exception of the commercial venture
Of the Dundee whalers in 1892 and the
remarkable successful journey Of the
Norwegian whaler Jason in 1899, there
has been no attempt to penetrate the
lev desert of the south. The last really
serious effort in this direction was that
of Sir James Ross in 1889. There are
now signs, however, Of a reawakened
interest in this region, as was shown by
the amount of attention the subject re-
ceived at the meetings of the 1nterna-
tional Geographical Society just held
Ia London.
In fact. after thorough discussion
the society passed, amid great enthu-
siasm. a resolution declaring that the
most important piece of geographical
work still to be undertaken was the eS-
ploratio of the antartic regions ana
recommending that the geographical
societies of the world undertake the
task. II is understood that the British
government intends to fit out an ex-
petition for the purpose of scientific
exploration in the south polar seas, but
the English savants urgd a private eX-
petition because they are afraid that
the delay that generally characterlzes
such official enterprises VIII allow
'.some bold American and his lady 10
step in and pluck the honors.
EXPLORER COOKS PLANS.
DIR. Frederick Cooks proposed jour
ney to the south seas sOws that their
:,
Cooks original intention to lead a party
south last fall The disaster to the
steamer Miranda in the Attic seas pre-
vented this. 1t will be remembered
that DR.. Cooks eighty summer eXcur-
sionists to Greenland had rather eX-
citing experience with the sinking of
the Miranda, which struck a rock.
Since that time DR.. Cook has been bend
ing every energy to the accomplishment
-l,;e Col 7 ha
succeeded in enlisting the active sup
port of various scientific bodies and
of private individuals as we'll There
seeems to be no doubt that the sum
necessary to fit and send out the eX-
pedition-S25, 000-win be subscribed.
Instead of employing a steam whaler,
as last years program called for, Dr.
Cook expects to secure two sailing yes
sells. sealers. of about 100 tons burden
apiece. Sealers OF this capacity are
only 100 feet or so long, but they are
staunch crafts, fairly rapid sailers, and
superior for ice work. Their hulls are
thickly sheathed with timber, and
where in an ice jam an iron vessel
would be crushed like an eggshell they
can generally escape unframed. Each
sealer will be manned by a crew of
five men. preferably those who have
had experience in the north. The pro-
visions will be for three years, although
the intention is to return in twenty
four months. The extra years prov1s-
ions may prevent any unpleasant year
nings toward cannabalism in case the
party is accidently detained in frozen
ATTITUDES. The scientific corps VIII
comprise only five, including the lead
or
TO PUSH INTO THE INTERIOR.
1t will take the vessels three months
TO sail the odd 5000 miles from New
York to the Gulf of Erebus and Terror.
This gulf. named after the ships of Sir
James Ross. is an indention in Louis
Philippe Land. near the siXty-fourth
parallel of latitude sand south OF cape
Horn The antartic summer Will be
commencing when this rendezvous IS
reached.
If clear sea presents itself further
southing will be attempted. Otherwise
the expedition will Immediately disem-
bark. life-boat and stores viii be
deposited to provide for a retreat ia
the Falkland Islands in case of disaster
and the loss of their vessel. From Lou
is Philippe Land their course Will de-
pend upon the openings developed IN
the ice barrier by the winds and cur
rent prevailing at that time. but the
first opportunity will be seized to enter
the ice with the ship and push as far
south as possible. If then a safe har-
bOr can be found for their vssel they
will consider that what remains to be
done will be found comparatively easy
work.
In case a sufficiently secure harhoI
cannot be found the two sealers will he
sent 10 the Falkland islands with in
Structions to return the following year
AS the narest mainland is 200 miles
nd hov n,,IH- daCDlofA rim n
South America, the members of tbs
expedition will be quite isolated. Al
least as long as they keep near the
Erebus and Terror Gulf natural food
in the seals and birds Will not be want
ing. Upon the return of the party
which is TO penetrate into the interior
which viii be about March i. 1896 the
return voyage Will he commenced II
the ships have arrived. or IT, in case
they wintered there. they are in con
dition to move and the ice opens suf-
ficiently 10 release them. Stopping al
Louis Philippe Land long enough K
make some special study Of the con
ditions existing there. the retreat vii
he continued 10 the Falkland Islands
and thence homewsrd. Should the YES
sells be lost. the party Will make its way
as best II can by boats and Sledges Il
where the Gfeboat was deposited viii
stores on Louis Philippe Land From
there the voyage to the Falkland Is
lands viii he made in the open life
boat. not pleasant but yet practicahl,
method of transportation over 50 shor
q route.
WEAR BIRD SKIN CLOTHES.
DR. Cook has had made a number o
reindeer and bird-skin suits. which h
believes viii keep the wearers comfort
able even If the mercury freezes. Tn
garments are on the Eskimo pattern
The breeches and jacket are separate
The leggings and boots. combined. an
of reinker and sealskin. Then eaci
man viii wear an elder duck shirt, Will
soft feathers. next 20 the skin. Beside
there are fur sleeping-bsgs and robes