The Washington times., 1906-11-11

sea. but by exposure 10 such dangers
that from that day no other navigator
has attempted TO follow this route.
Amundsen is the second TO make the
Northwest Passage, but he has taken
his ship through with him, and his
success is far more brilliant and valu-
able. lee has proved that a single
ship may pass between the Atlantic
and Pacific by route that from King
William Land 10 Berlng strait Is prob
ably available nearly every summer.
II is doubtful. however. that. save in
very exceptional seasons. a vessel
could make the entire Journey between
Bafln bay and Bering strait in a
single season.
II Is nowadays admitted that there
are no financial benefits to be. reaped
from the discovery Of the Northwest
Passage-since even the men who made
1t are not to get their prize money
but 1t was cupidity that started the
quest=the desire OF the nations OF
Europe for a shorter route 20 the
wealth Of the Orient. John Cabot was
the first man TO try to find this short
cut. He made his attempt In 1897. but
found Newfoundland and Labrador in
the way. Three years later Gaspar
Cortereal and his brother made three
voyages, and on reaching Nevfound-
land. sailed north. In every trial they
were stopped by the coast OF Labrador
and having failed to provide for any
relief IL case their provisions were ex-
hausted, finally died.
This is the first record Of life lost
in the quest Of the Northwest Pass
age though in the 2OO-odd voyages
that have followed there are abundant
instances where starvation and cold
brought many an intrepid life TO an
end on the barren Arctic wastes.
Seventy-nine years after the Cabot
expedition, James Froblsher started
out on a second important attempt.
In each Of the succeeding two years
he repeated his effort. but was doomed
to failure, for 1t is not on record that
he added to the worlds knowledge any
important discovery regarding the
much sought watar avenue.
From 1855 TO 1855 the enterprise to
discover the passage received a fresh
impetus through the explorations Of
Capt. John Davis. who sailed up the
Strait. which now bears his name. as
FAR as seventy degrees north. and re-
ToFted open water farther Up vet. He
then surveyed the east and west sides
of the straits. but without further i'm
rortant results
The great Henry Hudson. who had
previously attempted the northeast
passage. which corresponds 10 tha
northwest in theory. but seeks a tram
sit across Asia instead of America. de-
voted his time 10 an effort 10 find that
for which Cabot, Frobisher. and Davis
had sought in vain
The outcome Of his work was the
discover" Of the Hudson Strait and
Bay. He believed the latter to he
none other than an inlet of the Pacific
Ocean. which theory was proved erro-
neons by the Investigations Of Button
in 1912
Between this date and I7ls several
expeditions were sent out TO discover
an outlet from tho northwest corner Of
Hudson's Bay but their only result
was 10 establish that no such passage
existed
About the tire OF the achievement
Of American inderendence a series of
expeditions were started. which con-
inued witho1t "A break till 1SeG With
out welding success those bore I'M
portant fruits in the direction or af-
f0rdins further knowledge
The CHIEF of these were those COM
manded bv Captain Cook. Captain.
Vancouver. Captain Ross. Captain
Parry. Captains Frank and Lyon. ana
Captain Back.