Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09
ovEE THE C1RcUHTPotAE ICE.
esEz5S51E e!e99 75 EEzE ~


GIFTS PRESERVED
noon Of the Goth the ice under our heads
frightened. 1t became possible to breathe
without being choked with floating crys-
tails, and as the ice about the facial furs
was broken little blue was detected in
the west.
The dogs were freed Of snow entangle-
ments and fed, and a shelter was made in
which to melt snow and make tea. A dou-
BILE ration was eaten and then the sieds
began to move again.
Soon the sun burst through the sepa
rating clouds and raised its icy spires in a
tower of glitter. The wind then ceased
entirely and a scene of crystal glory was
laid over the storm-swept fields. With full
stomachs. fair weather and a nuch-need-
ed rest we moved with inspirations anew.
Indeed. we felt refreshed as one does az
ter a cold bath.
The pack had been much disturbed and
considerable time and distance was lost
in seeking a workable line of travel.
Camping at midnight, we had only made
nine miles for a days effort
Awakening in time for observations on
the morning of the Both, the weather was
found beautifully clear. The fog, which
had persistently screened the west. had
vanished. and land was discovered at
some distance extending parallel to the
northwest. The observations placed us
at latitude 81 deg. 80 min. longitude ~
deg. SO min.
Land Clouds Seen.
In the occasional clearing spells for sew
eral days we had seen sharply defined
land clouds drifting over low band Of
pearly fog. and we had expected to see
land when this veil lifted. We had. how.
ever. not anticipated to see SO long line
of coast. The land as we saw 1T gave the
impression of being two islands, but our
observations were insufficient to warrant
such an assertion. They may be islands.
they may be part of a larger land extend
ing far to the west. What was seen Of
the most southerly coast extends from 81
deg. 20 min. to So deg. 81 min., close to
the 102d meridian.
This land has an irregular mountainous
sky line. is perhaps 100 feet high and re-
sembles in its upper reaches the high lands
of Hiebery Island. The lower shore line
was at no time visible. This land is prob
ably part of Croker Land.
From 81 deg. % min.. extending to 50
deg. IL min, close to the 1O2d meridian.
the coast is quite straight. It's upper sur
face is fiat and mostly ice capped. rising
in steep cliffs to about twelve hundred
feet. The lower surface was SO indistinct-
ly seen that we were unable to detect
glacial streams or ice walls. Both lands
were hOpelessly buried under accumulated
SHOWS
We were eager to set foot on the newly
discovered coast. for we believed then,
as proved by later experience. that these
were the earthly northernmost rocks, but
the pressing need for rapid advance as
the aim of our main mission did not per
init Of detours. Resolutions were REIN
forced and energy was harbored to press
onward for the pole in an air line.
Fair Marches Made.
Every observation however. indicated
an easterly drift, and westerly course
must be continuously forced to counter
balance the movement. A curtain was
drawn over the land in the afternoon OF
March II. and We saw no more of it.
Day after day we now pushed along I'm
desperate northward efforts. Strong winds
and fractured. Irregular ice increased the
difficulties; progress was slow.
In one way or other we managed to
gain fair march between storms dur
ing each twenty-fOur hours. In an coca
sional spell Of stiffness mrases spre ad
screens of fantasy out for cur entertain
ment Curious cliffs. cdd-shaped noun
tains and inverted ice walls were s.
played in attractive colors. Discoveries
were made often, but with clearer hort-
ION the deception was detected.
On April 3 the barometer remained
steady and the thermometer sank. The
weather became settled and cleac The
pack became a more permanent glitter OF
color and joy. At noon there was now a
dazzling light, while the sun at midnight
sank for but a few moments, leaving the
frosted blue bathed in monday splendor.
In these days we made lonS marches.
The ice steadily improved. Fields became
larger and thicker the pressure mes less
frequent and less troublesome. Nothing
changed materially: the horizon moved.
our footing was seemingly solid crust Or
earth, but 1t shifted eastward; all was
in motion.
with u.s. Often we were too tired to build
snow houses, and in sheer exhaustion we
biyouac ked in the lee of hummocks. Here
the oyerworked body called for sleep, out
the mind refused to close the eye.
In a Lifeless World.
There was a weird attraction In tho
anomaly of our surroundings which
aroused the spirits. We had passed be-
yond the range Of all life. For many days
we had not seen q suggestion of animated
nature There were no longer footprints
to Indicate other life. no breath spouts
escaped from the frosted bosom OF the
sea.
world We had come to this mental
blank in slow but progressive stages: AS
we sailed from the barren areas or the
fisher folk along the outposts or civiiza-
ton the complex luxury of the metropo-
lis was lost and the brain called for food.
Beyond In the half-savage wilderness or
Danish Greenland, there was the dawn
of a new life of primitive delight. Still
farther along In the Ultima Thule OF the
abcrieines the sun rose over the days
of prehistoric Joys. Advancing beyond the
haunts of man. we reached the MONDAY
splendor Of thought in times before man
creation. ,.,.
of all creatures-ever Onward-into the
sterile wastes, the sun set. Beyond was
night and hopelessness. With eager eyes
we searched the dusky plains of frost,
hut there was no speck of life to grace
the purple run Of death.
In this midpolar basin the ice does not
readily escape and disentangle. 1t Is
probably in motion at all times of the
YEAR and in the readjustment of the fields
Following motion and expansion there are
omen spaces Of water. and these during
most months are quickly sheeted with
new ice. @
Measuring the Ice.
In these troubled areas we were given
frequent opportunities to measure ice
thickness, and from these we have come
to the conclusion that the ice during one
year does not freeze to depth of more
than ten feet. But much of the ice of the
central pack reaches a depth of from
twenty to twenty-five feet, and OCCASION
ally we crossed fields fifty feet thick.
These invariably showed the signs Of
many years of surface upbuilding.
1t is very difficult to surmiss ~