The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-06-05
STEFANSSON READY
FOR ARCTIC TRIP

Although two other expeditions with
similar objects in view, the Amundsen
expedition under the Danish flag, and
the Mcmillan expedition under the
American flag, are preparing to start
for the North to find the unknown
continent" there will be no race be-
tween the three expeditions, only
friendly rivalry. AS the three expe-
ditions are taking different routes,
many hundreds of miles apart, they will
in no way interfere with one another
and may not even come in contact
with each other.
The steam whaler Karluk, which,
fully equipped and prepared for its
polar voyage. will sail from Esquimault
in a few days, will be under the COM
mand of Capt. Robert Bartlett, an ex-
perienced polar traveller, who was cap
tain of Admiral Peary's ship on his
last successful voyage. The Karluk
will sail for Nome, Alaska, where Com
mander Stefansson will join the ex-
petition. His wife will, of course, not
accompany the expedition but will re-
turn to her home to await the return
of her husband to whom she was mar.
ried only year ago.
From Nome the Karluk will sail for
Point Barrow, the most northerly point
on the continent, where the expedition
will await the arrival of the other ship,
now being equipped for taking part in
the voyage. 1t is expected that the
two ships will meet at Point Barrow
about August 1. The subsequent plans
, depend entirely upon meteorological
, conditions. If an easterly wind should
prevail, the expedition will be able to
, sail around the point without delay
But, If the wind should be from the
west. it is likely that the ice would be
packed so tight that the two ships
would have to wait until January Of
next year before able to start on theil
exploring tour.
If the wind and weather conditions
should be favorable, the expedition will
reach Herschel Island in two days
journey from Point Barrow. There the
. expedition will be divided. One party
under the commeand of DR.. R. M. An
derscn, will remain on the island, es
taolish base of supplies and devote
itself to it's task, the study of thu
blond Esquimos, and the geological ex
plCration OF the island. The party will
have at its service the sna"er of tb'
9 two ships Of the expedition, whil'
Commander Stefanson in the KarlGl
: will push norlhward in search of tn
= unknown continent. 1t will follow
Il along the 141st meridian, which d
:, vides Alaska from Canada. II there !
d really such a continent, 1t is expe' te
l that it will be reached within day
"a sail. This, of course, depends almos
y entirely upon the weathe~ condition
i II Commander Stefansso1 should fin
: the continent. he will establish 0as
< of supplies before starting for the II
ID terror ON an exploring tour. The e.
l petition is we'll provisional for seveIt
: 1 years, but expects to help out the ia
&c der by shooting musk oxen, caribou
q AMI other animals which are believe
e. to be plentiful in those regions. Eve
II everything gees well, 1t is not expec
a ed that the expedition will return
OF civilization before the end of three
ia four years. The smaller vessel WI
a make an annual trip to Alaska TO kes
ny up communication between the e
plorers and their friends.