The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-14

Since DR.. Nansen's departure for the Arctic
regions there have been a number of re-
ports circulated regarding his safety. but
out to be without foundation.
The Windward. OF the Jackson Harms
worth expedition. which. has brought DR.
Nansen 10 Vardoe island left vardoe for
Franz Josef Land in order to bring back
the British expedition on June 2s last.
In an interview with DR.. Nansen, pre-
vious to his departure. the explorer was
quoted saying: Having considered for
mer expeditions. their outfits. and their
routes. l have made up my mind TO build
ship, make her as strong as possible and
just large enough to carry provisions for
twelve men for five years. When / arrive
at the New Siberian islands I viii exam
inc the currents and ice conditions and then
select the best moment for a start for the
think will be in August or the commence
ment of September. Delong wrote in his
log that while the expedition drifted in the
ice north of Bennett island they saw a
dark water sky 1t is a sky which shows
the reflection of water all around. 1t must
be possible To cover a considerable distance
i'm that direction before We get fastened in
the ice. and drift with the currents will
probably bring us out In the sea between
Greenland and SpitZbergen. We will then
have come down as far the eightieth lat
itude, and If il be summer will have a
chance to get the ship loose and sail home.
If. however. the ship should have sunk be-
fore the time mentioned, the expedition will
not be lost; as we would put up tents and
gee out aIeages as nare @ cone peiore haa
visions and had they remained on the ice,
the expedition would have had different
result.
How long do think the expedition will
last? Well. 1 should think the expedition
could safely reach the Greenland sea in
about two years, which will be equal to
drifting two and one-half miles each twen-
ty-four hours. The Jeannette drifted the
last day she was ahoat much more. some
times even up TO eight miles in each twen-
ty-four hours. If we take provisions for
five years. should think we would be safe.
Do think 1t too cold 10 remain at the
north pole during the winter? No, / do
not / don't think there is as intense cold
there. as in the northern part of Siberia,
or in the north part OF western Greenland.
We must remember that the pole is prob
ably covered by sea, from which there will
be much less cold that from the fiat land
of northern Asia. The regions around the
RGl Winters as s9d eoI9 sum,ners iid
The dimensions of the Fran were:
Length. 125 feet; beam, 36 feet: depth from
deck to keel. IL feet. With her cargo she
hull was built almost entirely of oak and
in the strongest manner possible. AT the
points exposed to pressure from the ice her
siies We're from 30 to 30 inches thick, and
ice sheathng composed of q thick layer of
green heart a hard American wood which
has an oily surface
There have been number of attempts
TO reach the north pole. The attempt now
I'm progress by the Jacksone II a armsworth
expedition. whose ship. the WindWard has
brought Or. Nansen back TO Norway. COM
menced in July. 1894. The Windward took
the expedition to Franz Josef Land. where
depots were established. preparatory TO the
march northward. The Windward re-
turned, and was on her second trip to
Franz Josef Land to bring back the expe-
from Norway that she is returned to Var
doe with DR.. Nansen.