The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-25
DARING SCIENTISTS TO
EXPLORE POLAR LANDS
FOUR MEN TO HEAD EXPEDITION
INTO LAND OF ICE.
Mikkelsen, Leffingwen and Ditlevsen
to Brave Perils Of Unknown North
ern Wastes in Interests Of Science
Would Solve Old Dispute Whether
There Is Land North Of Alaska.

seeing unknown lands in the north
polar seas, a party of four intrepid men
will set out from this country next
April on the most daring expedition
since the Inflated attempt of Dr.. Andree
to reach the north pole in balloon.
They are not after the north pole nor
even the honor of setting a mark fur
Their north than any previous expe-
dition, but they may accomplish both.
The expedition is purely for scientific
purposes, the principal idea being to
discover new lands.
In the party will be Ejnar Mikkelsen
Of Copenhagen, an experienced arctic,
explorer, licensed sailing master in
the Danish merchant service and a
naturalist; Ernest De Koven Letting
well, a research assistant at the Uni
versity of Chicago, who has made a
special study of glaciation and paleon-
tology; Ejnar Ditlevsen, Copenhagen,
Zoologist and artist. The fourth mem
Der will probably be an English scien-
tist.
Messrs. Mikkelsen and Leffingwell
were members Of the Baldwin-zeigler
expedition. The two men became
deeply attached to each other and their.
mutual zeal for the expedition and
scientific investigation made it a speedy
and natural result that having aided
others in dashes for the pole, they, too,
should want to reap for themselves
some of the glory that comes from the
never ceasing effort to add to the
worlds biographies new maps of the
northern regions. .
Not Missionaries.
Before Mikkelsen and Leffngwell
came together the Dane already had
gone thru his first experience as a
northern explorer. He was with Am
drup in the Greenland east coast inves-
LEGATIONS of 1900 and 1902. In each
instance he made an excellent record
He bears captain s certificate in the
Danish merchant service, which. is a
proof that he is good seaman, for the
descendants Of the Vikings exact a
high standard from those whom they
pronounce fit to preside over the desti-
MES of their ships. Mr.. Ditlevsen was
also member Of the Greenland expe-
ditions
They are enthusiasts, but not vision
aries, for they know exactly the situa-
ton that confronts them, and have
practical plans to cope with whatever
conditions may arise.
So sanguine is Mr.. Leffngwell Of the
success of the trip that he has put all of
his, money into it, even borrowing an
interest from his father a portion of
the Leffngwen estate. Mikkelsen and
Leffngwell are equal partners. The
Dane is not a man of means, but his
reputation enabled him to get the as
sistance of wealthy persons in England,
who subscribed his share. ...
In the words of Mr.. Mikkelsen, the
object of the expedition is to find out
the existence or the non-existence OF
land to the north of Alaska and the
west of Banks Land.
AS far back as 1853 belief that there
was such land has been promulgated by
such eminent experts as Sir Clement
Markham and Admiral Osborn. But
none of the few expeditions which have
gone close to this region has been able
to throw any light on the subject
Mikkelsen believes that north of Alasks
and Wrangel's Isle, there may even b,
a chain Of islands, that being in TIT
heart of the seal region may prove o.
greatest commercial Importance.
Hef1lOuS SledSe Journey.
To solve the question, four men will
attempt the hardships Of a sledge jour
ney across the polar ocean from Cap
Prince Alfred, which is the northwes
corner Of Banks Land. They Wi
travel in northwesterly direction, an
if the ice is favorable may even at
tempt to reach a. more westerly position
perhaps Wrangel's Isle, before strikin
down for the coast of the continent.
In order to tell whether or not the
have crossed the continental shelf, the
will carry sounding apparatus, whic
will permit Of soundings as deep as 20
fathoms.
AT the beginning of the journey tn
party will be divided. Captain Mil
kelsen will either purchase small sloo
in, San Francisco, or, failing that, Wi
take passage aboard a whaler, fc
Siberia, where he will purchase tw
ponies and about thirty-fve dogs.
the meantime, the other three member
of the party will 60 north by the gres
American rivers. In August the jun
tion of the parties will be made at II
mouth of the Mackenzie river.
From there the four men will g
north on a whaler to Bathurst, or, if tt
weather permits, to Banks island.
Cape Keller is fixed upon as wintt
headquarters, and a house will /
erected there by one man and tN
Eskimos, engaged at Bathurst. Lea,
ing one member of the party to tai
charge of the house at Cape Kelle
three others will push along the Goa
in a boat specially built for the spu
pose, and place a depot Of sledgir
material and provisions at Cape Prin
Alfred. y. - s. v.
In February, 1907, the daring explo
ers will say goodby to the known ms
of the world, and set out for the lone
ness of the ice that lies to the north.
Some Will Never Return.
Provisions will be carried for i;
DAYS, and in that time it is hoped
have covered all the territory that
necessary to satisfy the quest.
Some members of the expedition a
certain not to return, for Mikkelst
plans to kill the dogs for food, as Il
weight on the sledges is lessened |
consumption of the provisions, and t
j number of dogs needed to pull Il
weight is decreased. Enroute t.
~, +rouersed will ha expected &