Year: 1875

out straining. Their bows should be s,
iconstructed as to go up partially on the ic,
finstead of striking it with straight deeI


stem. -. "a.
| This is the plan adopted in the construc
/ tion of ice boats, and the same principle


holds go ID for the arctic regions, especial


ly at the time when vessel encounters


Hoe" which such a construction cOulC
pass through by breaking the ice down
but on. which straight stem would have
no effect.


am of opinion that no expedition will
be successful unless the strietest naval dis.
cipline is maintained; and. therefore, in
future explorations naval officer should
command, with officers and seamen taken
from the navy.


| l do not mean to reflect on the energy
and intelligence of any other class, but il
is onl. necessary to remember the trouble
on board the Polaris for want of strict dis
ciplne to justify me in this opinion.
Arctic exploration is much easier now
tilan 1t was twenty years ago; we know
more OF the difficulties to be encountered
and the means by which they may be over
come. Provlslons are now prepared of
such good qualities that the explorers need
never taste salted food during the whole
journey. Hence that terrible scourge, the
scnrvy, need not be apprehended.


The proper way for attaining the North
pole is for the expeditions from the differ
ent countries to go in company. The more
there are the better chance there would be
of succeeding.


They would assist each other, and there
would be spirit of emulation excited to
beat each other in the race for the long
sought pole. The idea is not original with
me, and L hardly think anything new can
be thought OF in regard to polar expedi
tons. 1t Is, however, a common sense view.
which will strike any one familiar with the
subject. l. s,t.--1 --- -
As have before remarked, the dangers
OF arctic navigation are less than is popu-
larly supposed, and it is astonishing how
few casualties have occurred whenw con-
slider the large number of expeditions that
have been fitted out. 1t is certain that
the amount of suffering from cold is not
near as great as one would suppose from
the low state of the thermometer, as is
shown by the Narrative of the Polaris expe-
dition.


With few exceptions, men who have
once gone on an arctic expedition are will
ing to venture again. and every leader
stands ready to tender his services when
ever the North.pole epidemic breaks out.


This problem of the discovery of the
North pole is one as to which our people
will never be satisfied until they have
solved it either through public or private en-
terprise and say let the expeditions GO,
and let the government assist any enter
prise properly started; but let government
aid be refused to any expedition not fitted
out under its own superintendent
The expeditions should always have
national character, and those who 90 in
command should be held to a'strict ac-
countabllity for the proper management of
affairs and for the lives and comfort of
their subordinates.


L do not think proper accountability
can exist unless such expeditions are un-
der the control of the government, COM
manded by persons of its selection, who
are carefully instructed with regard to the
objects to be attained. and amenable for
negligence or malfeasance in Office.


The worst that can happen to the lead
ers of a private enterprise for the most
Hagrant mismanagement and abuse of
power is condemnation by public opinion,
which gives little satisfaction after the
failure of an enterprise in which the pub
lie is SO much interested. Respectfully,
your obedient servent,


DAVID D. PORTER.
Admiral