338 



APPENDIX I 



line. These facts, together with the water sky observed 

 to the north of Cape Morris Jesup in 1900, strongly 

 indicated the existence of deep water between Green- 

 land and the North Pole. 



Though few in number, the soundings taken in 1909 

 between Cape Columbia and the Pole are of great 

 interest to geographers. 



The accompanying diagram shows the results 

 obtained. 



A # 



4? 



c_ 



s 



\ IL-4 



\y 



8 



'8 



>-vi 



These soundings prove the existence of a continental 

 shelf covered by about 100 fathoms of water and whose 

 edge, north of Cape Columbia, lies about 46 sea miles 

 from the shore. In latitude 84° 29' the depth was 

 found to be 825 fathoms, while in latitude 85° 23' it 

 was found to be only 310 fathoms. This diminution 

 in depth is a fact of considerable interest in reference 

 to the possible existence of land to the westward. 



The three soundings taken between the point of 

 comparatively shallow water and the Pole failed to 

 reach bottom. The one made within five sea miles of 

 the Pole proved the depth there to be at least 1500 

 fathoms. This is not at variance with the northern- 



