New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28

currents and Of the ice conditions toward the
pole be correct, In my opinion. the proper place
to put ship in the ice will be through Behrng
Strait We should keep along the east edge Of
the pack in about longitude 165 degrees west, at
Gaining the highest possible latitude and west
erly longitude. eliminating together. Then we
should push the ship into the pack as far as
possible TO the northwayd and westward. and
await the fulflnent of the prophecy of the jolly
whaeman l once met at San Francisco. He
said:
Melville. push her into the ice at about the
point have mentioned. and you will either so
to the pole or to hell. and l believe the chances
are about sven.'
Il can't agree with my whale fisher friend
about the hell part of the business, for all true
philosophers have a right to disagree about that
do believe, however. from the information We
have gained from the drift Of the Jeanette and
Of the Fran, that vessels. If strong enough, will
come out by way of the Spitzbergen as driftwoOd
does. though not necessarily across the pole.
The only for sending in ships and men is
that there may be observers to make a daily
record of events and of data, such as latitude
longitude soundings daily drift. dredging the
oceans bottom. if possible; in fact. recording
ali the phenomena proper such an expedition.
But to demonstrate this drift say there is
no use risking men until we know more about
It, and l propose that a hundred oaken casks.
properly numbered. made after the manner Of a
beer key Of twenty gallons capacity properly
hoped and the ends extended cut to complete a
paraboic spindle, would probably demonstrate
the drift.
TO DEMONSTRATE THE DRIFT.
"My idea of keg. for the ordinary drift bot
ties used for current studies would never do. Is
the kind measuring about two feet between heads.
] would build them Of thick. tough wood. thor
oughy watertight and heavily bound to resist
crushing under the tons Of ice they would have
TO contend with the solid paraboc ends fitting
firmly down upon the heads and stave ends to
prevent detachment. The shape Of float, lying
with its axis horizontal. is the best possible form
to meet the icefoe conditions, for 1t would prob
ably never be nipped in the rough and-tumb
experience II would get In ninety nine cases it
would slip away safely from extraordinary
pressures and remain intact If it floated as It
would lie ON solid ice.
But for further assurance each key should bc
covered with half stuff a composition half
pitch, half tar. which would also keep off posi-
BILE marine growths and teredo If it drifted far
south before discovery The kegs would be
painted black to make them readily visible In
the ice OF along ShOrc. EdCn would be numbered
and contain record cards showing where and
when il was set adrift. with instructions for the
finder to send them with note Of the time and
place OF finding to the most convenient Govern
official the nearest explorer geo.
graphical society with promise of reward. These
record cards must be printed in every maritime
language. and be made treproof in case the
finder thinks the cask good firewood, he
might If it was hard to open or If fuel was as
as 1t generally is in high ATTITUDES.
"With fifty or a hundred of these floats prop
erly made and sealed the most difficult and inn
portant part OF the scheme remains-their ef-
fectve launching on their journey. This must
be done by Government ship or by other trust
worthy hands. 1t would not suffice to trust
them to whalers however worthy they may be.
No risks must be run Of having them dumped
overheard hclter-skelter in Behrng Sea close
to the coast line. They must be carried north Of
Point Barrow, as far north possible. and
slightly to the east OF the Behring Strait. We
did not hold far enough to the eastward when
we stuck the Jeanette into the pack. Begin |
ming in about 100 degrees Longitude west, high
up as could be reached. the ship could keep
along the edge Of the solid pack. and at the most
favorable opportunity put overheard the casks. |
say twenty-five at time. for they will not stay
together long Then she could keep a westerly
course dropping kegs occasionally as far west
as 1GJ degrees west longitude. 1t will not do to
20 too far TO the east, for we know currents
from there make southeast through Melville
Sound named for my great-unce in the English
Admiralty. Too far west they will be wasted,
fha Lee