Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-29
CAPT. MACMILLAN
Tells ROTARIANS
OF ARCTIC TRIPS

Recounttng in . thrilling manner
the adventures. hardshfps and accom-
plishments Of those hardy explorers
wro have ventured into the Arctic in
an snort to solve the riddle of the
frozen North. and telling his hearers
intimately OF ths-1ast 10 months voy-
age OF the staunch schooner Bowdoin.
captain Donald B. Macmillan held the
closest attention Of the members OF
the Rotary Club and their guests In a
brief talk at the regular meeting of
the club held at the Augusta House
Friday evening.
After his Introduction BY President
Arthur ". Souie. Captain Macmillan
addressed the gathering at Fellow
Rotartans." He spoke Of the three
main detectives OF the last trip Of the
Bowdoin-to study atmospheric cleo
tricity and terrestrial magnetism. to
study the Northern Lights" and TO
place memorial bronze tablet In the
camp Of the dictated Greeley expedi-
ton on Cape Sabine.
Captain Macmillan is a splendid
speaker and In the few short minutes
allotted him Interestingly related
something of the fulfillment of the
Bowdoins mission. He spoke Of the
great force which lies within this earth
and which was known to the Chinese
scientists of over 1000 years ago. He
described the usefulness of the gyro-
scopic compass in the Far North and
near the Pole. and told Of the queer
phenomenon Of the magnetic compass
when at the north magnetic pole. which
Is 1900 miles south OF the North Pole
At that point the compass needle spins
and going north OF the magnetic pole
the needle reverses and points to the
south.
The speaker intrigued his hearers
with his stories OF the Northern
Lights and told them of sailing
through and beyond this most wonder
ful phenomenon OF all nature The
Northern Lights are In the middle part
OF Hudson Bay. So north latitude.
He reviewed the heroic effort of the
expedition under General Greeley
when 25 men were left to conduct Sci
entific Investigations nine degrees from
the pole. of the failure OF the relief
ship to reach them. and of the terrible
winter they passed in their little
camp at Cape Sabine, while one by one
they succumbed to starvation. antii
when rescuers finally located them
there were but six Of the valiant band
surviving.
Tho famous Bowdoin alumnus paid
splendid tribute to the most wonderful
discovery of this countryside radio
and told his audience Of the vast diff
ference which radio communication
made In scientific research in the Far
North. He said that the ma Tor part
or the communication with the Bow
doin during the last expedition was
made possible by the enthusiasm and
interest Of the members of the ANA
teur Radio Relay League OF America
boys IL and IA years OF age who sent
messages to the ice-blocited schooner
5000 miles and more away. The Bow
dom received 100000 words and sent
out 10000 words by radio.
Captain Macmillan said that he
hoped to make short trip to Labra-
dor the coming June. with the intent
or locating a suitable site for the es-
Enlistment Of laboratory to carry
on the scientific Investigations into the
mysteries OF the Arctic He also an
nounced his hope of another long trim
to be undertaken two years hence.
There was a particularly large at
tendance of the members of the club
nj the meeting last evening. and in
honor OF the presence Of the distin-
guishcd explorer the club entertained
nearly n score OF guests and visiting
Rotarians. At the conclusion Of the
remarks by Captain Macmillan he was
accorded rousing demonstration.