The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-03-14
AMUNDSEN TELLS
OF POLAR DASH
EXPLORER CABLES STORY OF
FRAN EXPEDITION in SEARCH
OF SOUTHERN AXIS.
ATTAINED DEC. All 1911
Convincing Narrative Describes New
Lands He Found, the Scientific
Aspects Of the Discovery and
Obstacles Surmounted.
copyright, 1912. by The New York
Times Company. All rights
reaprvad \

a 4
copyright. 1912. by The New York
Times Company. All rights
reserved
Hobart, Tasmania, March 9-On
the 10th of February, 1911. we COM
menced to work our way toward the
south, from that day to the 18th of
April establishing three depots,
which in all contained quantity of
provisions of about 5000 kilos. One
thousand six hundred kilos, including
1,100 kiIos Of seal meat, were cached
in 80 degrees. TOO kilos in 81 degrees
and 500 kilos in SO degrees south lati-
tude.
As no landmarks were to be seen,
these depots were marked with flags,
seven kilometers on each side in the
easterly and westerly directions.
Excellent Weather.
The ground and the state of the
barrier were of the best, and special
iy well adapted to driving with dogs
On February Is, we had thus travelled
about 100 l1ilometers. The weight of
the sledges was 300 kilos, and the
number Of dogs was six for each
sledge. The surface of the barrier
was smooth and fine with no, sastrugi.
The crevices were very local and
we're found dangerous in only two
places. For the rest-long smooth
undulations.
The weather was excellent calm
or light breeze. The lowest tenn
perature on these depot trips was
minus As celsius or centigrade (49
degrees below zero, Fahrenheit). On
the 4th OF March. on our return from
the first trip beginning on the 18th
Of February. we found out that the
Fran had already left us. With pride
and delight we heard that her smart
captain had succeeded in sailing her
south and there hosting the colors Of
his country glorious moment for
him and his comrades-the furthest
north and the furthest south-good
old Fran.
The highest south latitude attained
was Is degrees Al minutes.
Winter on the Ice Barrier.
Before the arrival of winter we had
5000 kilos of seal meat in the depots,
enough for ourselves and 10 dogs.
Eight dog houses, combination of
tents and snow huts were built. Hav-
ing cared for the dogs the turn came
to use our solid little hut. 1t was
almost entirely covered with snow
by the middle of April. First we had
to get light and air. The Lux lamp,
which had power of 200 standard
candles. gave us a brilliant light and
kept the temperature up to 20 de
grees celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)
throughout the winter, and our ex.
cellent ventilation system gave us all
the air we wanted.
In direct communication with the
hut and dug-out on the barrier were
workshops. packing rooms. cellars fol-
provisions. coal, wood and oil, q
plain bath. a steam bath and observ
atories. Thus we had everything
within doors II the weather should be
too cold and stormy. The sun left us
on the 22nd Of April and did not re
turn until four months later. The
winter was spent in changing oul
whole outfit, which on the depot trips
was found to be too clumsy and soli6
for the smooth surface of the barrier
Besides this, as much scientific worl
as possible was done and some as
tonishing meteorological observations
were taken
Open Water All Winter.
There was very little snow, and
there was open water close b,
throughout the winter. For thu
same reason higher temperature hat
been expected, but it remained yer!
low.
In FIVE months there were observ
ed temperatures between minus 81
and 60 degrees celsius (58 and rs de
grees below zero Fahrenheit), tn,
lowest temperature on the 18th o
August being minus So degrees minus
It was then calm. On the LIST of Au
gust the temperature was minus s.
degrees. celsius. and there were 81:
meters of wind. The mean tempera
ture for the year was minus rs de
grees celsius GAS below zero. Fab
renheit).
I had expected hurricane after hun
ricane, bat I observed only two mod
crate storms and many excellent al
roras-australis In all directions. Tn
sanitary conditions were OF the bes
all the winter and when the sun r.
turned ON the Gath of August he me
the men sound in mind and bod
ready to set about the task that ha
to be solved.
Already, the day before, we ha
brought oar sledges to the startin
place, for eur march toward tn
south, Only in the beginning OF Sci
tember did the temperature rise t
sach an extent that there was an