The sun., 1901-04-09
POLAR SHIPS.
Only the Fram, Discovery and Gaus. Have Been
Specially Buiit for Fxpioratisu.


England and Germany have just launched
the only ships ever built specially in those
countries for polar exploration. Leaders
as they have been in polar research. they
have hitherto employed sealing vessels
or other strong craft. very good ice boats
as rule. but never comfortable or ever
well adapted TO the special requirements
OF the explorers.
NAnsen was the frst TO declare that polar
explorers need specially built vessels which
VIII not only give greater resistance 10 Ice
pressure than any sealer but also be better
adapted TO make the men comfortable and
to facilitate scientific work on shipboard
he carried out his idea. and the results which
his vessel, the Fran. attained. fully justified
his view Of the matter.
The construction OF the German ship
Gauss. launched at Kiel on Tuesday. was
begun In tho fall Of 1899 and completed IN
one month less than contract time She
built Of wood. the only material strong
ana elastic enough to resist ice pressure
IN form she is somewhat rounder than the
FRAN and does not fall away toward the keel
IN the same manner. Nansen conceded in
the view Of the Germans that the shape OF
the Fran would not be suitable for the heavy
weather Of the southern seas. She is built
not only for the hardest OF ice navigation.
but also for all the comfort possible on such
an expedition. Each OF the FIVE scientific
observers and FIVE officers will have his own
cabin and four rooms will be assigned TO
the crew. Rooms for the scientific work
occupy tho middle of the ship Electric
lights and many other improvements, un-
known n haf
have been introduced. Stores for three
years will be packed away In the hold. fif'y
dogs will travel in the forecsstle and the
stanch little steamer will sail about the end Of
August on lis long journey 10 the Antarctic.
The Discovery. launched at Dundee in
March. is also vessel OF uncommon strength.
built largely after the model Of the Fran
but with notifications suggested by Nansen's
experience She will sail about the same
time as the Gauss. taking the British eNpedi-
tion TO its chosen Antarctic field Of work in
Victoria Land and the neiehboring seas
The two other expeditions that II is said
are TO participate IN this renewal of Antarctic
enterprise have not built vessels for their
service DR.. otto Nord-nskiold will take
the three-masted steam sealer Antarctic
a fine icehoat In which DR. Nathorst made his
notable explorations on the east coast of
Greenland in 1899 II is not certain that the
Scottish expedition under Mr. William Bruce
which il 10 devote ia attention 10 Weddel
Sen. will sail this year Capt Bernier. the
Canadian sailor whose gaze is fixed on the
North Pole, will build vessel specially de-
signed for ice-driftins in the Arctic. but he
cannot get AWAY this season
The Fran lifted 50 easily whenever the pro-
sure against her rounded sides became severe
that her crew lost all fear Of serious accident
They would sit nt their games in the com.
Portable cabin wholly unpcrturbed by the
uncanny crunching Of the foes against her
sides No polar voyagcrS ever before had
such complete confidence that their vessel
would he equal TO every test II will add to
the probability OF their success II the members
of the British and German expeditions, soon
TO start for the Antarctic have reason to re-
pose equal faith In the vessels that have been
built for their use.