The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-02-19
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draws. when laden, ten feet Of water
She was not built specially for Arctic
/ traffic, but has been strengthened sub
isequently with an ice-sheathing Of two
inch oak planks, cross beams, knees,
and everything else that can help TO
render resistance 10 the ice. She is
| equipped with a petroleum motor OF
thirteen horsepower, by the help Of
which she is able 10 reach a speed of
knots in smooth water. Thus the prin-
| cipal motive power is not derived from
the motor, which is meant for use only
in calm weather. Gjoa relies chiefly on
her sails. and like all vessels of her
type, she does splendidiy.
The aim OF the expedition was TO
force its way into the region about
the earth's magnetic North Pole, and
10 make observations at a fixed station
during a protracted period of time For
this purpose the expedition was excel
lently furnished with magnetic instru-
ments- The expedition numbers seven
members. Second in command Is
Lieutenant Godfred Hansen of the
Danish Navy. All the others are Nor
wegians.
We sailed from Christiania during
the night between June Is and Il, 1903.
II took Us q good deal Of time 10 make
Godhavn, on Disco Island, because We
had a contrary wind ali the way. But
finally we reached that place IN the
last days Of July Our purpose in call
ing there was to establish a magnetic
station and TO ship more dogs for the
sledges. From Christiania we brought
with US six dogs-dogs that had taken
part in the second Fran expedition
AT Dalrymple Rock. on the northwest /
ern coast of Greenland, we had to stop I
10 take on board the provisions de- |
posted there for US by two Scottish /
vessels
We reached Beechy Island on August /
p, and anchored off it 10 take series /
Of magnetic observations, which were
to be decisive for the remainder Of our
journey. From this station we were to
ind the location OF the magnetic pole,
and thus TO ascertain what way We
would have TO take Our observations
showed the pole 10 be to the southwark,
and in that direction We sailed. after
having lifted anchor on August "a, our
immediate goal being Peel Sound OF
Prescott Island in Peel Sound the COM
pass refused 10 render further service,
and, like our forefathers, We had 10
% satisfied with the guidance of the
bodies. But when these, too.
-efuse their assistance, hiding them
selves behind an inpenetrable veil OF
mist. then il is not easy TO be sea-
airing man. +.
MAKING WINTER QUARTERS.
Without encountering any particu-
arly trou blesoule opposition by the ice, {
Ve wriggled our way southwark in the
hore water along the west coast Of
3oothia Felix on September g We
Iove to in Petersen Bay, on the south
astern coast of King William Land,
M dropped anchor outside q little
mug harbor. Gjoa Harbor. which was j
0 be our resting-place for nearly two !
ears. is splendidly protected The ap- {
roach TO II is very narrow-being only {
few yards wider than our boat-and I
pens toward the south Thus the in {
er haroor is completely closed The i
magnetic observations We took on the I
day proved that we could not I
ave chosen a better spot for our sta I
ion. I
a laborious period ensued- we had c
D carry all our provisions on shore to :
rotect them against moisture, and TO L
81 more room on board the snip This &
-ork was completed by September II, [
nd We were confronted with the task a
Z erecting the necessary buildings 9
he materials for these were obtained I
,orn our provision boxes All the boxes h
ere double, consisting OF an inner tin n
hest surrounded by a wooden box l
ne boxes were all of the same size :
nd nailed together with copper nails. a
, prevent them from influencing the a
IagneIic instruments. The tin chests Il
ere stripped Of their wooden cover o
.g Then We filed the wooden boxes 2
itb sand and used them for walls Il
wo buildings We're erected-one for a
le instruments used TO measure tie p
agnetic variations, and the other as o
dwelling for two members Of the 81
,pedition Our observations OF Va T
Gus kinds were begun on November ? e,
The first visit of Eskimos occurred on II
le Of the last days Of October. They n
=Ionged 10 the Oglun tribe, which has T
: hunting grounds along Simpson c.
-rait on the northern coast of the 81
rueTican continent. This tribe came &
contact with the Schwatka expedi- y
IN in 1880. but had since then had no o.
.alings with white men We had a y
.od deal 10 90 with the tribe. and be- %
me good friends with them all But =
E found our best friends among the =
sfeh1iIH tribe, which We encountered y
-e~ on
There was an abundance of game CO
.ring the first year Big herds Of d
indeer appeared IN every direction. -
ID single animals ventured UP 10 the Il
II. We killed one hundred reindeer III
all. 10 get food for ourselves ana our pe
Is. but We could easily have killed 2
ice as many had We cared 10 do So II
: caught = good deal % grouse also. n
le harbor froze the first days in Octo- pr
? and the necessary preparations 10 -
rFstard the winter were made as IN
on as our other duties permitted it a.
lis were spread over the ship and 20
: snow was banked against her sides. L,
,uhIe windows were put IN. q system X
ventilation. was arranged. and many 81