The times., 1897-09-03
SAILS FOR ANTARCTIC SEAS
DR.. Cook TO Join the Gerlache
Expedition.

Dr. Cook TO Join the Gerlacue
Expedition.
New York, Sept. 2.-Dr. Frederick A
Cook proposes to join the Belgian expedi-
ton TO the south pole. He will sail from
Brooklyn Saturday morning on the steam
ship IIaveline, for Rio Janeiro. There he
will join the antarctic expedition. when is
reaches that port, about october l. Ar
rangements for the journey We're begun
about ten days ago, upon receipt OF q
eablegram from Lieut.. Adrian de Gerlache,
Commander of the expedition, requesting
DR.. Cook to become one OF the exploring
party
although no definite position has as yet
been assigned To him, Dr. Cook Will, or
course, lie a member of the scientific staff.
his thorough know ledge OF the sciences
equipping him for such position, while
his practical experience will make his seTv-
ices valuable In the superintendence OF
the dogs and sledges III the land expedi-
ton
Dr. Cooks first experience as an ex-
| plerer was gained with Peary in his initial
Greenland expedition In 1872. He ac-
| companied the explorer as surgeon. and
| twice since then he has visited the north.
| ''I believe he said last night, that
| every man who has once learned the
secrets of the wild polar wildness and its
| savage joys viii alw ays long to return To
| it, finding there a spell, an inspiration that
makes al other kinds OF life seem insipid.
| A primitive ife, undescribed pleasures and
| countless natural wonders await every
| adept who ventures into the white BoreaI
| silence, and If this be true in going north
| ard, how much greater the spell when
/ IL hfT.sr
| against the great moving all OF ice
| land of Antarctica.'
| The DOCTORS equipment is now complete
| and exceedingly yint eresting and picturesque
! It consists of several coats OF dark WOODEN
cloth, lined throughout and edged with
| eiderdown; an Eskimo suit made OF
wolfskirs, several elder sleeping bags; q
| iidEera; medicine chest; nautical instru-
ments; SHOW shoes; skis; two sledges the
faithful Winchester, his companion in all
his northern journeys, and lastly new
American nag, ten byfifteen feet
1t has been Dr. Cooks cherished desire
for rrany years TO equip an expedition for
the South. tut, although a number of
scientific societies have promised hirn sup
port, he has never as yet had comInand
There Will be twenty-three men in all
nn the Bclgica," said Or. Cook Il already
/ know some German, and expect to acquire
little French and in all probability some
of the number VIII be able TO converse in
English. so 1 apprehend but little difficulty
iii making myself understood, although
there is a bare chance OF having IL e-s-
press my wants by signs. which would be
awkward, TO say the least.
1.-The BeIgica is a whaling vessel, built
specially for ice navigation. Furthermore,
she has been strengthened and entirely re-
fitted, and, besides carrying her engines, is
bark-riggcd, With wide breadth ofcanvss.
''There are sufficient provisions for two
years on board, as well as the frame and
woodwork for a house and observatory.
THE purpose OF Lieut.. de Geriache is e
survey Us thoroughly as possible the shore:
of Antartica from Graham 5 Land TO End
erly Land. Wilkes Land and Victoria Land
J making a landing at Cape Adare If posi-
bic. He win proceed from there with the
aid OF skis and sedges 20 explore the ice
cap of the continent. Skis are thin, mar
row blades of wood, from eighs 60 ten feei
In length, which are Strapped 70 the fee1
like snow Shoes
The length OF DR.. Cook stay with thl
} expedition is uncertain, but at present D.
has only planned 70 remain with it during
the first summer. The antarctic sunmel
is of three months duration, aud CORE
spends TO our winter months, eXten DIM
through December, January and Februar
In regard to It's characteristics Dr. Cool
says.
Nearly all the strange arctic phenomena
have been in the south. The auroras, th'
nightles9 days, the da yless nights, IN,
giant tcebergs, the stupenduous glaciers
the rugged cliffs, the ragged mountain
peaks and a thousand other indescribabl
wonders are common to both poles, but il
the antarctic We have added To this aum
! berless volcanoes, emitting fire, snake an
, | lava