New-York tribune., 1901-08-12

tensve sound. The British expedition may flnd
the second range OF mountains, or it may sup
ply proof for Mr.. Bernacchis theory that the
cliffs are a huge tongue of glacial ice flowing
from the Parry Mountains. When winter quar-
ters are reached preparations be made for
sedge Journeys. by which great tracts of un-
known land can be explored during the early
spring. especially the volcanic region of Mount
Erebus and the low lands between Cape Gauss
and Cape Washington; and when the season for
navigation opens the westward course along
the islands or permanent ice belts described on
the charts Wilkes Land can be followed The
German and British expeditions in the course
OF two years will approach each other some
where on the western or northern trend OF Vic
toria Land.
The lender Of the British expedition IS Com
mander Scott a young naval officer with a
marked talent for organization and an enthusi-
asm for exploration and scientific work. He has
personally directed the preparations for the
voyage, and knows where everything is stored
on the ship He will have personal charge Of the
magnetic observations. Lieutenant Armitage is
an experienced navigator lent from the service OF
the Peninsula and Oriental Company, and. with
his training in sledge travelling with the Wind
ward in Franz Josef Land he will be one Of the
leaders in the exploration Of Victoria Land
Bernacchi and Reginald Shelton are among the
officers Mr.. Bernacchi is a veteran in antarctic
service, and the engineer. Dr. Koettlltz. has had
Arctic experience. The civilian staff includes
a geologist. a biologist physicist and an
tist, and will be directed by Mr.. George Murray
OF the British Museum. The magnetic observa-
tions will include survey around the world
south Of the fortieth parallel. Deep sea sound
ings will be taken. tidal observations will be
OF antarctic fauna and flora undertaken. The
dark months will be fully occupied with scien-
tifc work and with preparations for sledgng
Dogs have been obtained from Siberia, and n
fresh supply is expected from those belonging 10
Sir George Newnes at Stewart Island. There
is torpedo officer, who viii have charge Of the
operations for blasting the ship out of the ice.
and Lieutenant Armitage is a practical pilot
for leading the way through the pack. thou
sand details have been thought of and
ranged. the expedition is we'll equipped and adj
miraby manned for scientific work. There ought
to be a second ship TO follow the Discovery next
year as a tender. A portion Of the money
ouired has been raised, and possibly the remain
der will be supplied after the next meeting of
the British Association.
Sir Clements Markham, who IS mainly re-
sponsible for this scientific cruise. repudiates
the idea that the expedition is either maritime
adventure a preliminary reconnaissance. The
ship has been designed, built and commissioned
for definite scientific work. The objects Of the
expedition are 10 determine, as far as possible,
the extent and nature of the South Polar land,
to ascertain the nature Of the glaciation and the
condition Of the ice cap; TO observe the char
acter of the underlying rocks and to make a
magnetic survey south of a degrees, and bologi-
cal Investigations and deep sea soundings with
temperatures. There will be no reconnoitrng
cruise along the edge of the pack, but the ship
will be forced through the outer belt Of ice out
into open water SOUTH in order TO winter in the
best harbor available and TO give full employ
ment to sedging parties in the spring. TIE
work on land and sea will be conducted in the
interests OF the two great societies which have
commissioned the expedition. and the results
will be placed at the disposal Of every section
Of the British Association On ship there will be
survey OF coast lines. magnetic and meteoro-
logical observations, deep soundings. and
marine biology; and on shore there will be geo.
graphical exploration, geology. glaciation. tidal
and pendulum observations, and biological and
magnetic work. The Discovery is not making
reckless dash for the South Pole in the od-time
spirit of maritime adventure. 1t has the learned
societies of the United Kingdom behind it. and
like the Ross and Challenger expeditions, has a
distnctively scientific mission. l. n. F.