Year: 1876

PROPOSITION or CAPTAIN H. ". HowoATB, OF


THE SIGNAL SERVICE, FOR SEARCH ExPE-


DITIoN VIA SMITHS soUND-CoLoNIzING IN


THE ARCTIC REGIONS.


The expedition Of Captain Hall in the Polaris 1871
and of Captain Mares in the Alert and Discovery in
1875 have shown that by the use OF steam It is a
comparatively easy matter TO reach the entrance
Robcson's Channel in latitude 81 deg north, and that
the serious diiicuitlcs in reaching the
Pole lie beyond that point Parties from the two
pcdtions have made five surveys 140 mi'es north OF
this leaving only about 400 miles OF unexplored
between that and tho goal Of modern geographershe
Pole.


When Captain Hall reached the upper extremity OF
Robcsons Channel the lookout of the Poaris reported
open water sight and just beyond the pack
which surrounded the vessel and prevented further
progress This open water was nftcrward
from the cape as the northern opening OF New
mans Bay and IL was the opinion OF OF that
ifatcd vessel that If she had been but the fraction OF
an hour earlier in reaching the channel they could
have steamed unobstructcd over vertablc 'opcn
sea- TO the Pole itself We know thar they did not
succeed forced to winter almost within sight
OF this sea- subsequently, daheartcncd by the loss
OF their gallant commander abandoned the enterprise


Where this open water found Captain Mares in
1875 and 1876 found solld impenelrable ice through
which vessel could force its way and over which 1t
was equally impossible for sledge parties 10 work


These facts show that within the Arctic circle the
seasons vary markedly as in more tenn
pcrate southern latitudes, and that the icy bar
ricrs 10 the Pole are sometimes broken up by
favoring winds and temperature. To reach the Pole
prompt advantage must be taken Of such iavoring CIR
cumstances ana 10 do TINS with the greatest certainty
and with the least expenditure OF time, money and
human HE, II Is essential that the exploring party be
the ground at the very time the ice gives way and
opens the gateway to the long sought prize.


EXPLORING COLONY.


This can only be done by coonizipg few hardy
resoute and experienced men point near the
borders OF Polar Sea, and the favorable
Tor the purpose appears TO be that where the Discovery
wintered last year Such party should consist OF a
least twenty men, ard should DO provided with pro-
aud other necessary supplies for three years.
tho end OF which period they should be VISITED and II
still unsuccessful in accomplishing the object,
victuaed and again left 10 their work.


Captain Hall spent eight years among tho Esqu
withstand the severity of the Arctic CIRCLE and the
party OF which speak would, IN like manner, become
acclimated and eventually succeed IN accomplishing
building, such could easily be carried on ship
board tho party could be made as comfortable
the men OF the Signal Service, stationed
on the SUBMITS OF Pixies Peak and Mount Washing
ton, or inc employees. Of the Hudson's Bay Company
stationed at Fort York, where mpcraiufe of minus
sixty degrees is not uncommon. 4 good supply Of
medicine, skiltul surgeon and snch fresh provision
could be found by hunting parties would enable
them to keep Off scurvy and to maintain good a
sanitary condition tho inhabitants OF Godnavcn in
Greenland.


SUBSISTENCE


Game was found in fair quantities by the PoIaris
party the Greenland coast aud those from the
Alert and Discovery on the main land TO the west,
especially The vicinity OF the last named vessel
where fity-four musk Killed during
the season. with quantities OF other and
smaller game. OF good coal
also found by the Discovery's party, which,
would render the question OF fuel light one and
remove OF the greatest difficulties hitherto found
by Arctic voyagers


Let an expedition be organized In tho spring
oflS77 aud firmly believe that by 1880 the geography
OF the Polar circle would be definitely settled and that
Mt thouf loss nj IN