The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-04
AN OPEN POLAR SEA.
Jacks on -HRrmsworth Expedition Re-
turns Converted to the Old
Theory

London. Sept. 4-The British steam
ship Windward, having on board the
kSon-HarmSwofth expedition, which
has spent three winters near Cape
Flora, Franz Josef land, has arrived
here from Franz Josef land, with Jack
son and his colleagues. All the mem
bers of the expedition are in good
health.
They report having explored Franz
Josef land thoroughly with the excep-
ton of some odd corners.
Before the Windward sailed the quar-
ters of the expedition at Elmwood,
were fastened up, but Mr.. jackson left
place should be visited by Prof. An
dree or other explorers. He also estab-
Hshed a depot at Bell Island.
Talking over his experiences with
representative of the Associated Press,
Mr.. Jackson said that since the Wind
ward left Franz Josef land last year
with Mr.. Nansens the winter had been
less severe and less windy than usual.
Mr.. jackson and Albert Armitage ma
tiona1 astronomer of the expedition,
started on March 16 with a pony and
dog sleds to explore the western part of
Franz Josef land.
They encountered boistrous wealth
er and at the end of the first month
a majority of the dogs and pony sue
cumbed and the explorers were COM
PEELED to abandon all but the most es-
sential part of their equipment. The
party found the coast line sometimes on
sea of ice and sometimes along gla-
ciated land.
The constant mists which prevailed
made the. journey very hard. They shot
procured meat and blubber, they re-
turned to Elmwood in the middle of
May, after meeting a party sent out to
look for them.
The result of the explorations, it is
claimed, completely revolutionized the
old idea of Franz Josef land and proves
that the much discussed Gillies land does
not lie where Arctic geographers have
therefore it may be considered nom
existant.
The whole continental mass of land is
replaced by a vast number of small is
lands and lofty mountains by long
ridged hummocks and ice packs, while
north of these has been found an open
sea which is the most open north sea
in the whole world. The most valuable
magnetic, meteorological and geological
observations were made, and very val
liable botanical and geological cOllee-
lions were brought to England. The
winter life of the explorers was un-
eventful. The members of the expedi-
ton killed ], 400 loon, a web-footed bird
found in the northern regions in au-
tunnn, which proved ample fresh meat
During the winter they caught 10 loon
and % kittywhacks, a bird of the gull
kind to which they fastened labels in
| itialed 81. H" and liberated them.
The cold sometimes reached 40 de-
| grees below freezing point. The mem
1 berS of the Jackson armSworth expe-
dition failed to see King Oscar land and
are convinced that there is a great land
| north of Franz Josef land They add
| that the existence of Peter Mann land
| is doubtful and that at most it must be
! small. These alterations in the map
| render the prospect of reaching the
| North pole from Franz Josef land more
| than doubtful, as the returned explor-
ers are satisfied there is no land north
| of 50 degrees. They did not see any
| thing of Prof Andree, who started on
July II from the Island of Tromsoe in
l mt fn the North TOl0 by
! balloon.
Mr.. jackson announces his intention
| of heading another Arctic expedition,
/ this time on his own account.