Year: 1871

The New Arctic Expedition Severely Criti-


ctzed.


writer in the Baltimore Gazette makes the
following not altogether complimentary re-
marks upon the new Arctic expedition


1t does seem curious and somewhat of a dis
grace to the United States, that an Arctic expe-
dition to which the eyes of the entire civilized
world are turned, and which will cost our Gov
ernment over $100, 600, should leave our shores
so badly organized, and wanting in many neces-
sary details, as does the Poaris, under Mr.. Hall.
Possessing none of the requisite nautical know
ledge, never having served in command of men,
totally unused to the peculiar service in which
he Is now engaged, farther than having an inti-
mate acquaintance with sedge travelling and
Esquimaux life, cannot but entertain reason
able fear for that complete success to the expe-
dition which the outlay of money and the
exigences of the case demand. The act of
Congress appropriating the funds for the
Polar exploration specifically states that
the scientific work of the expedition shall be
prescribed by the National Academy of Sciences.
Now, this body of eminent men are not only
dissatisfied with the present organization of the
enterprise but, l understand, have distinctly
and positively refused as a body to have any
thing to do with the research, and have pro-
tested against the expedition leaving the United
States as now organized. The entire arrange~
ment of men and material has been in the hands
of Mr.. Hall, and how he has carried out his
scheme up to the present augurs anything but
well for the ultimate success of the expedition
and the advancement of our geographical know
ledge and science generally. L understand that
no gentleman has been obtained in this
country to accept the responsible duty
of chief scientific officer. A German naturalist
DR.. Bessels, who was second In command in
the first German Arctic Expedition, has been
secured as surgeon naturalist; but no physicist
or astronomer, possessing the requisite knowl-
edge or experience, can be found willing to
join Hall in that capacity. Three or four such
have been in treaty with him. but, whether
from 'incompatibility of views" or for other
reasons, they have all backed out. Neither
can 1 agree with Hall when he announces
Jones Sound as the best avenue of entrance to
that unknown region in which is centred the
pole. Almost all the English Arctic ex-
plorers who have each made this matter an
intimate and personal stduy, agree in the
recognition of Smith Sound and Kane Chan
mel as the most probable opening for sue
cessful effort to penetrate to the pole.
| Jones Sound is comparatively unknown, but
| it is well known that the windward side of all
Arctic land is that presenting the greatest diff
| Guilty for travelling as well as ice navigation.
The general tendency of ice drift and wind being
| from the northwest that side of Ellesmere Land
| is traught with danger and hazard to both ship
and sledge. The amount of geographical dis
| covery of new coast line could compensate for a
| failure to pass into the unknown region lying to
| the north of Kane's and Hazes farthest 1t is q
| primary axiom in Arctic work to hold on to a
| coast line with your ship, and no land is known
SO far north or accessible as that bordering upon
Smith Sound. 1 know Hall is very determined
| IN all his views, and painfully dogmatlc In his
| opinions, but in a matter where these views
solely founded upon theory and reading-con-
fict with those of practical and we'll
tried men, in the interests of science, and for
the sake of success, would urge upon him the
reconsideration of his route and change of this
part of the programme. Fortunately for us and
for him, the character of the ice and the con-
formation of the foes may compel him to un-
dertake different line of travel. regret to
see that the responsible position of second


officer is occupied by Morton. Whilst have


every respect for him as faithful adherent


of DR., Kane, as the man who made the


famous discovery of ''open water" on that ex-


pedition, and as good stel0ard, l do not recog-


nize in any of these the proper fitness for the


position which he now occupies. Sailors soon


find out the qualifications of their superiors, and


in this selection. as well as others, see the ele


ments of discomfort and failure. The time ot


departure, too, has been delayed SO long that


much dread useless first winter, even if the


ship be not so unfortunate as to rival the DE-


Haven or McClintock drift"