The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-05
TO REACH THE NORTH POLE.
THREE EXPEDITIONS PREPARING
FOR THE GREAT SEARCH.


states, sweden, italy, Norway and
Russia Competing for Further
HonorS In Arctic Exploration.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
Ten Arctic and Andree relief expedi-
tons are now in the seas of the North
pole. Three other bands of fearless men
are beating the ice of the Antarctic in
search of the south pole A few Of the
perilous trips have been undertaken as
private enterprises; the others are backed
by European governments in the name of
science.
America has Wellman and Perry In
the Arctic field. Norway has Sverdrup,
while Sweden has sent out Nathorst. Nor
denskjold and Stading. Denmark hopes
for glory in the findings of Amdruf. Rus
sla has dispatched Admiral Kakarof to
solve the north riddle, the French are
watching for word from La Cambre's
party The Italians think Prince Luigi
will come back with the pole itself while
the Germans are positive that Won Dry
golski win gather the secrets of the far
thest south and the Belgians has as great
faith that De Gerlach will be as success
full in The same seas.
There has never been such interest In
polar exploration as now. This is shown
not only by the number of steel-clad
ships already trying to force the great
ice fields. but in the preparations that
are being made for next year The
British Geographical Society is coming
into this work. 1t proposes to raise
SZ5O,UO for equipment and maintenance,
agreeing to subscribe $25, 600 itself and
appealing to Lord Salisbury to get the
balance from the government. Lord
Salisbury is favorably disposed to the
plan The Quebec Geographical Society
has voted to enter into competition with
its London predecessor, and is arranging
to send Capt. Bernier over the route which
Nansen took, reaching the Siberian ISL
ands through Boring Strait. The third
prospective expedition is under guidance
OF Prof. Steehn, French scientist act.
ing for the Paris Geographical Society
The two American expeditions have as
leaders the distinguished Lieut. Pearv and
the well known Washington CORRESPOND
ent Walter Wellman. The departure Of
the Windward with Lieut. Peary's expedi-
ton for the polar region took place on
July 2. On July the ship reached Cape
Breton, where Lieut. Peary had arranged
to embark, and at once proceeded to coal
An early start northward was expected
to be made the ice in those regions being
reported unusually favorable for the time
of the year. The Hope. Peary's second
vessel had sailed previously with coal and
other supplies, and was to meet the Wind
ward In the north of Baffin's bay In ac-
cordance with the programme already
made public, Lieut.. Peary will probably
be landed at Sherord Osborn ford the
snip then returning home If not caught in
the ice. In the case of favorable ice con-
dtions, however, It is possible that he NAV
| steam still farther northward before land
| ing. He hopes to reach the northernmost
| point of Greenland early in the summer of
| 1899 and then dash for the pole with
small and compact party during the same
| season.
| Wellmans plans for his expedition to
| the polar regions received hearty approval
| Of the National Geographical Society Of
Washington and of the United States coast
and geodetic and weather bureau. The
| scientific staff includes officers of both of
| these government departments At Arch
| angel seventy-five ,draught dogs, specially
| procured from Siberia, will be taken on
| board Thence Mr. Wellman proposes to
| steam for Cane Flora, in Franz Josef land,
where a supply station viii be established.
| Pushing on 70 the north of the archipel-
| ago, the party WILL according to present
plans. winter between 50 degrees and SO
| degrees north making a renewed start
with sledges in February, 1899. A special
| feature will be the use of small sledges
| capable of being drawn by a single dog.
They will be made on an entirely new
| plan, a tube-like construction of timed
copper being provided with run
| ners on its two sides and so shaped
that If 1t tits over it always comes down
on one or the other pair of runners. Fifty
| of these sledges weighing, with stores,
| little over 100 pounds, will be taken, as
| well as a small canvas boat. Mr.. Well
man hopes that 1t be possible to cover the
| distance to the pole and back, roughly es-
| tmated a thousand miles, by the begin
| ming of June, at which time the melting
| Of the snow makes travel exceedingly diff
| cult With reference to Andree, Mr.. Well
man said before he started: "At Cape
| Flora it is not impossible Herr Andree
| and his fellow voyagers In the famous
| balloon will be found, as experts agree
| that If still alive the chances are Andree
| and his companions have spent the winter
| in the jackson house. King Oscar of Swe-
| den has accepted my offer to send a few
men upon the Frithirf 10 search for An
| dree If nothing is heard of him by the
| time we sail. When our steamer returns
to Norway next September IL will bring
| news that Andree has been found or pref
| ty completely destroy hope that the brave
| Swede and his companions have escaped
the double perils of the Arctic and the
navigation of the air"
Italy has plucky representative in the
| polar regions in Prince Luigi of Savoy,
whose recent ascent of Mount ST. Elias
| gave him fame as an explorer. The
Prince, accompanied by his adjutant,
| Signor Cagni. and Prof. Guido Cora, start
ed in July. He employs an Italian govern
ment vessel and will pass next winter at
Franz Josefs land, and In the following
summer push forward with sedges and
boats. He has engaged a number of Es-
kimos, believing them to be more suitable
for a polar dash than white men.
Norway has two expeditions, one to the
north pole under command Of Capt Syer-
drup. and one to the Antarctic, being led
by Borchgrevink, the great Antarctic ex-
plorer, and the first man who has ever
q CT FAD HEAn.