The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-01-19
CAPTAIN JOSEPH E. RERNrER.

vast fields of snow and ice. He is
also a well educated man and speaks
of the prospects of his approaching ex-
pedition in an exceedingly interesting
manner.
"In the first place." says Captain
Bernier, 81 shall charter seal or
whale fishing boat to convey me to
the neighborhood of latitude so de-
yrees north, near the river Lena, eth
,r by way of the Behring straits or by
Norway where I shall procure furs,
logs and reindeers. In the event OF
NY ultimately deciding upon the east
ern route, ] shall touch at Vardo, in
Lapland, and at Archangel, in Russia.
After leaving the latter point | shall
sever my connection with the civilized
world and proceed north over the sea
of ice.
81 shall establish myself upon the
ice. with headquarters off from the
mouth of the river Lena, in latitude
between IS and 70 degrees north, with
provisions sufficient for two years and
L half, and shall then send the YES
sci back with news of my progress.
''The route which we shall have to
follow will then be the frozen surface
If the Polar sea. We know by expe-
yience that the sea of ice may be trav-
srsed at a satisfactory rate of prog
ress, provided that one is well
equipped and the season favorable So
long as the temperature is low, the
surface of the ice is closly bound to-
sether. There are few assures and
intervening stretches of water here
and there even in the coolest weather.
but these are at minimum during the
cold season.
'It is generally quite easy to cross
these assures, either in canoes or on
natural ice bridges, but I shall also
AXE with me adjustable wire bridges
which can be set up when needed. Our
force of men and dogs will be suffi-
cient for the requirements of setting
up the bridges and transporting our
supplies as we proceed. All the men,
bers of the expedition will be chosen
with regard to their physical ability
TO endure the rigors of the climate
ind the hardships which we shall
have, in one way and another, to un-
iergo.
with the experience Of others TO
ruide MS, we now know the necessity
# having a launch to cross the
stretches of open water in the Polar
'ea. This launch must be of sufficient
strength to resist any pressure TO
which it may be subjected by the ice.
Nnd also not too cumbersome to pre-,
fent its easy portability. Had DR..
Nansen had one Of these launches he
would have made considerable more
Roadway than without 1t he was able
o make. His kayaks required contin.
val repairing, and were in other re.
ipects unsatisfactory.
'As / have already stated. we shall
'nke with us a large number of dogs
nd reindeer, The dogs will be for
he purpose of drawing the sledges,
nd the deer will be killed from time
time as needed to supply fresh meat
ar the members of the expedition and
tiso for the dogs. Roughly speaking.
ur expedition will be composed of
ight or nine strong men, seventy-five
;iberian dogs, one hundred reindeer,
house boat. sledges of various kinds
nd shapes, a launch made of rubber
which can be inflated with air, linen
,ayaks, wire for constructing bridges,
nd, of course, a sufficient supply of
rOvisions for the men, the dogs and
ne reindeer"
Captain Bernier hopes to have all his
arrangements completed in time to en-
ole his setting out from Archangel on
lis long journey northward at the on.
ming OF winter IN 1890.