Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-24
REWARDS OF EXPLORERS.
What the British Government Has
Paid Some Daring Adventures.

What the British Government Has
Paid Some Daring Adventures.
One result Of the return of Lieu
tenant Shackleton to England from
his brilliantly successful expedition
to the Land Of Perpetual Ice, will be
that many youths will be fired by the
aspirations of the boy who wanted
to be a Franklin or Nansen. Asked
by his father what he would like to
be, he replied, "An arctic explorer!"
There are worse callings, for cash
and honors descend thickly on him
who penetrates to the heart Of the
frozen regions and lives to reach
home again. An early prize fell to
Sir Edward Parry. For many years
the British government offered a re-
ward Of 100000 for the discovery Of
the Northwest Passage. This was
subsequently modified to $4,000 for
passing 10 degrees, 120 degrees or
130 degrees w. longitude, and was
duly paid to Sir Edward.
Another pioneer, Captain, after
ward Sir Robert, Mcclure, received a
like honorarium. His ship, the In
vestigator, was the first to traverse
the Polar sea from Bering strait to
Bering island; and in recognition Of
this achievement he was voted $685.
900, and the same amount was distri-
buted among his crew.
A similar prize fell in part to DR..
Rae. After the disappearance Of
Franklin and his crew the govern
ment offered a reward of 100000 to
any party of any country that should
render efficient assistance to them.
There were in consequence many
search expeditions. One Of these
was commanded by DR.. Rae, who,
although he failed in his object,
brought home a number Of articles
which had belonged to Franklin and
his party, and which he had pur-
chased from Esquimaus, including
Sir Johns star or order. These relics
were deposited in Greenwich hospi-
tai, and DR.. Rae and his companions
received $4,000.
Years later, says "Tit-Bits," there
was a somewhat similar episode in
arctic exploration. The United States
government offered $4,000 for the
discovery of Greely and his COM
rades, who started for the Polar seas
in the summer Of 1881. An expedi-
ton was then sent out under the COM
mand of Captain Schley, who ulti-
mately found lGrHely and six COM
panions, reaching them just as they
were within an ace Of death from
starvation. The rest of the explorers,
who at the outset numbered twenty
six, were then beyond human aid, all
of them, with one exception, having
starved to death.
Money did not flow very freely
when the Alert and the Discovery re-
turned to Portsmouth, but the MEM
bers of the expedition received an
enthusiastic welcome, and all-com-
mander, officers and crew alike
were treated with a series Of public
festivities and honors. AS a reward
for his services Captain Mares was
knighted.
DR.. Nansen and his companions
were very fortunate. The intrepid
leader in particular was loaded with
honors, while he and his party re-
ceived grants from the Norwegian
government. In addition, Nansen
made a large sum by his monumen-
tai work, "Farthest North" Com
peted for by publihers all over the
world, it was translated into many
languages, and was the greatest sue
cess of it's kind on record.
1t indicated, in fact, an important
source Of revenue which might be
tapped by successful explorers, and
leaders Of subsequent expeditions
have all drawn largely upon it. Some
have made handsome sums from the
books embodying the results OF their
Journeys in Polar regions. Nowadays
indeed, copy" is taken into account
by most leaders Of expeditions, ana
is-not avowedly but none the less
unquestionably-on of the oo1ects