The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-17

ample space, and contains comfortable
hunks for some twenty men. The bed
d ng is covered with washable covers and
Jae curtains of each bunk are of similar
material, and general cleanliness will be
rigidly enforced. The equipment of the
vessel IS as perfect as experience and
modern science can make it. She is
lifted with whale guns Oh each bow; car
rles four large whale boats; is provided
with lrawl nets or dredges of the latest
and most approved pattern, one with six
miles, the other with nearly four miles
OF steel wire rope attached, both being
worked by special steam winches, while
strain is avoided by means of accumulat
ors similar to those used on board whal-
ing steamers for easing the tension on
the hawser when attached to a captured
whale The sounding apparatus is
marvel of ingenuity of French make, be-
ing an improvement on the Prince of
Monaco's model, by means of which the
depths can be read from an indicator on
deck. All the scientific instruments
are of the best make, most of them being
similar to those employed by the members
of the Danish Ingolf expedition to East
Greenland. Owing to the ice and other
conditions of South Polar seas being so
different from those encountered by the
Fran the results of Nansen's expedition
have not afforded any hints or guidance
for De Gerlache's present venture, but,
on the other hand, those derived from the
above named Danish expedition have been
of very great service, and Captain Wandel
(leader of that expedition), Hovogaard
and Lund have rendered valuable assis-
lance toward making the quipment of
the Belgica as perfect as possible. The
expedition conveys with it the framing
and woodwork for a dwelling house and
observatory, which, in the event of q
landing being effected near Cape Adare,
will be erected, provisioned for two years,
and left in charge of Captain de Ger
lache, Lieutenant Dance, and a suitable
number of men. The ship herself is pro-
visioned for two years, but, after leaving
the shore party, will make Melbourne her
headuarters, unless compelled by circum-
stances to winter in the ice. The stores,
like everything else on board, are of the
best, and everything connected with the
vessel looks shipshape, and testities to the
care and fOrethought devoted to the enter
prise by Its leader
The object of the expedition is to sur
vey as thoroughly as possible the shores of
Antarctica, from Graham's Land to En-
derby Land, Wilkes Land and Victoria
land, If possible, at Cape Adaare, and
during the course of its stay explore the
Ice cap of the continent, for which pur-
pose it is provided with sledges and ski.
During the past winter Captain de Ger
lache and Lieutenant Dance studied the
art ofiskating in Norway, and some of
the Norwegians among the crew are we'll
accustomed to the use of their native ski.
The final departure of the expedition
from Antwerp will lprobably take place at
the endFof this, month, land the ports to
be touched en- route are Madeira, Monte
video, and Punta Arnas, near the Straits
of Magellan, to complete her coal supply.
Captain de Gerlache expects to obtain
great scientific results from his expedi-
ton, which, it must be remem bered, is
the first that has been thoroughly fitted
out, with steamship at its command,
for antarctic research. Any information
respecting the interior of the continent,
its mighty ice cap. or the unknown shore
washed by the Weddel sea will be val
liable addition to scientific knowledge,
let alone that which will be gained from
magnetic and astronomical observations,
sounding, dredging. recording the tent
perature and currents of the ocean, and
otherssthings. The Beigica sails as yacht
under the flag of the Antwerp Yacht
club, and no doubt every lover of science
will wish her gallant captain godspeed
and successful return with his we'll
formed expedition.-London Graphic.