New-York tribune., 1896-02-03
TO FIND THE SOUTH POLE.
CARSTEN ICEBERG BORCHGRENlNh
TELLS OF HIS COMING EXPEDITION.
THE TRAVELLER HOPEFUL. OF sUCCEss-hlS
FORMER TRIP TO THE ANTARCTIC REGIONS
TRACES OF A HUGE ANIMAL FOUND
SPECULATION AS TO THE EXIST
ENCE OF a GREAT CONTINENT

TRACES OF A HUGE ANIMAL FOUND
SPECULATION AS TO THE EXIST
ENCE OF A GREAT CONTINENT
ABOUT THE POLE.
Carsten Egeberg Borchgrevink. the Norwegian
explorer and lecturer. arrived here upon the Cu'a'
Line steamer Umbria yesterday. Mr.. BorchgreVihh
has made record a traveller In Ahtarc"0
regions. With the single exception Of Sir James
Ross. who in 1871 penetrated latitude 1s degrees
no other explorer has ever been so far south as
Professor Borchgrevlnk He reached latitude a
degrees 10 minutes in February last He feels
confident that he will he able to reach the south
magnetic pole when he has proper equipment for
the journey.
Herr Borchgrevink is stockily built man. about
tairty-ive years old. He speaks English fuently
His face is bronzed from exposure, and he has the
look Of a trained athlete. He born IN ChIs-
tiania, his mother being English woman and MS
father Norwegian. He at an early
age. but returned homo to go to college He trav-
elled later through France Germany and Den
mark and settled down study in Dresden. About
eight years ago he went TO Australia and became
professor OF natural sciences In the university al
sydney.
The professor had more the appearance OF
bronzed seaman with his stOcky build and weather
beaten countenance. but the college and scen-
tist showed plainly he talked OF his trip to South
ern seas and what he had found upon his trip lie
said in speaking of his adventures in talk at the
Everett House. last evening:
II in Antarctic waters during the months OF
December. January and February OF ls94-95. We
sailed from Melbourne the sealer Antarctic a YES
SCI OF about $50 tons burden was the only scientist
board. You know. commercial and scientific
ideas do go well together and had
trouble. When | found that the vessel was
going 10 Antarctic waters, tired to persuade the
company TO take me scientist and explorer
but they refused. l was bound to 60. however, and
l shipped before the mast. had been trained for
the sea, and able to do my part as seaman
but that was not the trouble.
LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS
THE seamen we're looking FOR whales and was
looking for lands The vessel owned by
Captain Foyn, of Norway. but he died while the
ship at The boat In command OF
Captain Christainson-but | do not care to talk
about that. He took half my specimens from
me. and was subjected to a good deal OF domi-
neerlng that made the trip unpleasant; but that Is
neither here nor there. able to get good
idea OF the land. that will avail me when return
as intend TO- next December
I'VE had with this trip twenty-four men.
We did not have prosperous trip from the
whalers viewpoint. and that made them surly We
landed at Cape Adair. and then pushed on. We
afterward ran into the open bay which Sr James
Ross had reported. That is where We touched the
farthest point south. / do doubt that II we had
kept would have gone far as Sir James;
but the captain Of the vessel was looking for whales
and he turned back. much to my annoyance. am
OF the opinion. however. that the Southern magnetic
poe can be reached on snowshocs. The country
there am convinced is continent. | feel sure Of
this from the fact that stones and geological de-
posts were found which are never found upon
Islands or groups ~ Islands II this is "A continent.
as | feel convinced 1t is. lying around the South
Pole 1t must be about 4.cr.rD miles in area. OF
twice the size OF Europe.
CONDITION OF VEGETATION
There is not so much OF n difference between tho
northern and southern parts OF the country H.
the Arctic regions ~ degrees there Is more yege
tation than there is al tho same degree In the
South. found at this degree only n fcw lchens and
some moss There is considerable vegetation In the
North at this degree. Another difference IS that
found the shores along the open water devoid oi
snow IN the Antarctic region at this time. although
the plateau. ranging away TO height OF 200 feet
above the sea level was covered with perpetual
STOW and fee. The country il not entirely worth
less | found traces Of some wild animal which
am at A loss TO account for but take 1t to be somo
huge mammal The scamen say that II T. the white
bear. but am Inclined TO doubt that found seals
with lacerated sides which had evidently been
clawed by this animal: also the tracks OF the anil
NAL on the snow and other signs. So that some
scientists believe that there may be human life In
this country. 1t is possible but not probable There
IS however Just as much reason in reality why
people should there there Is for the eXist-
ence OF the Esquimaux In the North. discovered
fine grade Of guano From tests made II vas found
to be exceedingly rich In ammonia
TO SAIL ON DECEMBER l.
"Our future expedition will sail from London. De
cember |, this year. In the party will DE myself and
eleven other explorers. have not decided upon the
party as yet. There many things TO DE taken
sfrn. ..,I 10 fIt..
fact that the must be sturdy. and above all Of
good nature ND disposition So much depends upon
that. The trails such that grumbler can
be allowed to 80 along. We have a concession from
the British company which will send along two
vessels equipped seaers one is to bc o, about
four hundred tons burden ana the other Is TO be
little ship OF about scycntyiive tons. In addition to
these we will take n steam or naphiha launch.
will be in command. and our objective point will be
Cape Adair. Our party will be landed there with
slcdgcs. snowshoes dogs and all equipment Then
the vessels will leave and start upon their cruise
for whales and seals. We shall at build
winter quarters and prepare for the trip TO the
Southern pole. The ships Will return for US In De
ccnbcr lSg7. BY that time hope TO have reached
the pole. That Is the plan 80 far outlined We nave
not decided upon the vessels rs yet or any OF the ad
dtional details"
Professor Borchgrevlnk said that the Antarctic.
the vessel In which he had visited the South Polar
regions. steamship twenty-thrcc years OLD.
and not well equipped with Instruments suitable for
september o. 1894. and the 18th Of the following
month she encountered for the first time heavy snow
squalls. At midnight. after the snowstorn had
cleared away, the aurora bOrcalis dazZlingly
brilliant The ocean swell being heavy The
set the ships course for Campbell Island. evidence
Of whose volcanic origin and character were un-
mstakabe. Steering southwark from Campbell
Island. November they sighted immense
barrier Of cebergs extending for distance Of forty
to sixty miles from east to northwest In order to
give this obstruction wide berth. they obliged
TO alter considerably the ships course on the 2sth
OF the month they again stood away the south
word. Pack ice sighted on December T. and the
following day they In latitude 6S degrees -
minutes. and longitude III degrees 80 minutes with
vast Of Ice crushing and driving around
This convinced them that they had entered the ice
Tt 7Tt <zss~z i,