The Meeker herald., 1899-08-05
in THE FROZEN SOUTH
tWiNrERlNc IN THE ANARcrIc
OCEAN.
First Tiae Explorers Have HsA rhsssu
&sHlkpsrieoos-Dr. Arctovski Of the 0al-
- Expedition Tells Of Life In vae-
- Land.

mineralogist and geologist of the Bel
gica Antarctic expedition. says his par
ty we're the first human beinas to
sr1oo winter in the Antarctic, "Our
hsse object" he says. was to make a
voyage in the Antarctic. but beyond
this there was on starting no definite
programme. 1t was intended to exam
ine the various scientific conditions,
Seventeen OF us, under Lieutenant Ger
lache, left Antwerp in August, 1897.
On leaving Staten our object was to
go direct 10 the south. and to explore
the region of Grahamsland and Palmer
Land. on which no landing has been
made since their discovery In the early
part Of the century. In this part of tho
journey we experienced fine weather.
with a great deal OF fog. On Feb. 13,
four weeks after sailing from Staten
Island. we left the newly discovered
land, which We had named. Dance land.
and in three days sighted Alexander
I. Land. On the 2Sth the Belgica ran
into the Antarctic ice pack. In a few
days we found 1t impossible to proceed
and equally impossible to get out of
the grip of the ice; the temperature
fell, and the Belgica stuck fast. For
q whole year she remained immova-
BILE. and for the first time human be-
ings prepared to spend a winter in the
Antarctic. We had expected to winter
in the South Polar region. but we had
hoped to do so on land. For that pur-
pose we had everything prepared. it
being our intention to build an OBJ
servatory and depot. We were unable
to ind land on which to establish a
depot. and we all had to remain on
our ship.
THE Antarctic winter lasts for two
months. but owing to the fearful
weather that prevailed we did not see
the sun for three months. Every day
excursions were made on the ice to
catch seals and penguins. We spent
the winter in scientific work. Every
hour observations were made. The Ice
pressure was great, but not immedi-
ately around the ship, which was not
seriously crushed. All of US suffered
good deal during the Antarctic night.
owing to defective circulation and
heart trouble.
THE specific results were satisfac-
tory, and were what was expected, I'm
like the Arctic, the Antarctic has no
animals. The only sign of life we
found on land were number of small
insects. which were discovered among
the penguin rookertes. In the water
there is plenty of life. There are far
more seals than in the North Polar re-
gions. great many small whales and
an abundance Of penguins. The Ant
arctic lands We found to be entirely
mountainous and absolutely glaciated.
In some places, where the cliffs were
too precipitous for ice or snow to
lodge. we found lichen and moss. The
Borchgrevinch. expedition must have
scientific results of great interest. One
of the most interesting points is the
possibility of this expedition calculat-
ing the position of the magnetic pole
and studying the magnetic variations.
Probably inland ice exists on Vic
toria Land. as in Northern Greenland,
and II this is so the expedition should
be able to reach the region where the
magnetic needle will remain vertical
that is to say, what is known properly
as the magnetic pole. To reach the
geographical South Pole is out Of the
question, the distance from the edge of
the ice pack being enormous. There
is much Xosk to be done in the Ant
arctic, particularly with regard to me-
teorology and magnetism. A satisfac-
tory knowledge OF the climate of the
Antarctic and of the meteorological
and magnetic conditions would neces-
state many expeditions"
From the Philadelphia North Amer
lean: why, my little man." said the
old gentleman, what are you crying
for? me sister," blubbered the boy,
"has the measles. and / can't have any
a 'e.e-"