The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-03-14

up 10 ~ degrees celsius 100 degrees
Fahrenheit) throughout the winter,
and our excellent ventilation system
gave us all the air we wanted.
In direct communication with the
work shops, packing rooms, cellars for
provisions. coal, wood and oil, a plain
bath. a steam bath and observatories
Thus we had everything within doors
il the weather should be too cold and
stormy
The sun left us on the 22d of April
and did not return until four months
later.
The winter was spent in changing
our whole outfit. which on the depot
trips was found to be too clumsy and
solid for the smooth surface of the
Barrier Besides this, as much scien-
tific work as possible was done, and
some astonishing meteorological obser-
vations were taken.
Open Water All Winter.
There was very little snow. and
there was open water close by through
out the winter. For the same reason
higher temperature had been expected,
but it remained very low.
In Ave months there were observed
temperatures between minus so and
60 degrees celsius (5S and &c degrees
below zero FahrenheiD, the lowest
temperature on the 18th of August
being minus SO degrees celsius. It
was then calm. On the list of August
the temperature was minus IS degrees
celsius, and there were six meters of
wind. The mean temperature for the
year was minus &c degrees celsius
(14.S below zero Fahrenheit)
had expected hurricane after hurri-
cane, but observed only two moderate
storms and many excellent auroras-
australian-in all directions.
The sanitary conditions were Of the
best all the winter and when the sun
returned on the oath Of August it met
the men sound in mind and body ready
to set about the task that had to be
solved
Already, the day before. we had
brought our sledges to the starting
place for our search toward the south
Only in the beginning Of September
did the temperature rise to such an
extent that there was any question of
setting out then.
The First Start for the Pole.
On the Sth of September, eight men,
with seven sledges. ninety dogs, and
provisions for four months, started.
The ground was perfect. The temper.
ature was not bad. The next day it
appeared that We had started too early,
as the temperature of the following
days fell and kept steadily between
minus so and so celsius (5S degrees
and 76 degrees below zero Fahren.
heit). Personally We did not suffer at
all from the cold. Our good furs pro.
tected US. But with our dogs it was
a different matter. 1t could easily be
seen that they shrunk from day to
day, and we understood pretty soon
that they could not stand the long run
to our depot at 80 degrees south.
We agreed on returning and to wait
for the arrival of spring. The pro-
visions we're cached and of We wen,
for the hut. With the exception of the
loss of a few dogs and a couple OF
frozen heels everything was all right
Only In the middle of October spring
came f. earnest. Seals and birds ap
peared. The temperature was steady
between 20 and 80 celsius t6S de-
grees and Sc degrees Fahrenheit)
The original plan that all of us
should go toward the south had been
changed. Five men had to do this
work, while the other three we're to
start for the east and visit King Ed
ward VII. Land.
This last mentioned trip was not
included in our program, but, owing to
the fac that the English had not
reached it, at least this summer. as
was their intention, we agreed that
the best thing to do was also to make
this trip.
On October 90 the southern party
started-flve men. four sledges. fifty.
two dogs, and provisions for four
Notwithstanding in excellent order.
The Journey to the Pole.
We had made up our minds to take
the first part of the trip as easily as
possible, in order to give ourselves
and the dogs a rational training, and
on the 23d we made our depot in so
degrees south. We went right ahead.
In spite OF the dense fog, an error
OF two to three kilometers happened
once in awhile, but we were caught
by the flag marks, and found these on
our way without difficulty.
Having rested and fed the dogs on
all the seal meat they were able TO