The Idaho recorder., 1921-09-23

The Bowdoin carries wireless telegraph out
At. She has also a complete apparatus for her
scientific work. Two motion picture cameras anu
four miles Of film, with which Doctor MACMILLAN
plans to record the events Of the trip as well as
the animal and bird life. form an important part
OF the expeditions equipment. The explorer also
expects to be able to the cameras. which are
furnished with special high-speed lenses. In max
Ing photographs OF the aurora borealls. and he
will attempt. through photographs taken at dif
ferent points, to measure the height of the north
ern lights.
And here's something clever. There's motion
picture machine and several reels Of ilm for the
benefit Of the natives. These reels include films
which Macmillan made q previous trip to the
North. So when the Eskimo see themselves pro-
jected against the side Of iceberg. they will be
more likely to believe what the Aims show them
of the white mans country. And maybe they will
not consider Macmillan magician!
The explorers carry 20 rifles and shotguns and
10000 rounds OF ammunition. These, OF course,
are for the securing Of specimen animals and for
the killing Of game. These firearms may also
save their lives since II they have to desert the
Rowdon and make their way to civilization on
foot they will have to live of the country. This
can be done. as Stefanson Amundsen and others
have proved to the world. Sir John Franklins
two crews pershed to man on such retreat to
the North after an attempt to conquer the North.
west passage. The men were brave but appar-
entity inadaptabe. They perished in the midst
OF plenty.
or course the Macmillan party have expec-
tations OF footing II home across the Ice. They
hope to navigate the Bowdoin clear around Bafin
Land.
zone hundred years ago Parry left England on
the Fury and the Iiecla to negotiate Northwest
massage" said Macmillan. "He went into Hudson
bay south OF Southampton island and followed the
mainland OF Canada northward till he reached
Fury and Haca straits. Here he stayed two
years and found he baked by Ice and
strong rapid southwark current. AS fast as he
sailed up he was driven back and he became dis
couraged and quit. Never since has ship at
tempted this trip. That's why had the little
schooner Bowdoin built. Experience has shown
that the small hardy craft with small crew
works better than a large vessel and extern
siye expedition. Tho Bowdoins 45-horsepower
oil engine should give us a cruising radius Of near
ly 40O0 miles just with the fuel In our tanks. to
say nothing OF whale OIL We also can depend
ON our sails. l reason why we can't get
home all right"
Incidentally rs may be imagined. wiscasset
had the time Of Its whole existence In the de-
parture Of the Bowdoln The event brought an
influx of visitors such the town has never seen
before. The entire local population. together
with summer residents from surrounding resorts.
aud relatives and friends OF the crew, thronged
the wharves along the water front
Mingled with their cheers the screech of
whistles harbor craft. the below OF the fire
siren and the peal Of church bells. The harbor
dotted with launches. dories and other pleas
craft,
TO this spontaneous demonstration on the part
OF the populace was added the official valedictory
OF the state. pronounced by Gov. Percival p. Bax-
ter. a personal friend Of the explorer Just before
the schooner left the dock.
Under her full speed of eight and half knots
an hour. the schooner for the benefit OF the spec
tators. made complete circle around the harbor
before heading down Sheepscot bay The crowd
remained on the docks and watched her until she
passed Davis island and finally disappeared around
westport point