732 APPENDIX 



graphically, although with only approximate correctness, the compara- 

 tive accessibility of various points within the arctic regions. The most 

 northerly points known to have been attained by ships under sail or 

 steam have been plotted on this map, and lines have been drawn 

 connecting these points. It is possible that in certain places a ship 

 could sail a little farther north; but no ship has as yet done so, and in 

 general we may consider this the area "inaccessible to ships." 



Beyond the farthest points yet attained by ships the exploration of 

 the polar regions has been carried on mainly by men or dogs drawing 

 sledges loaded with supplies upon which both men and dogs depended 

 for subsistence. In some cases the length of the journey has been some- 

 what extended by the killing of the dogs originally used as draft animals 

 and the conversion of their flesh to use as food either for the remaining 

 dogs or for the men. 



j> 



THE POLE OF COMPARATIVE INACCESSIBILITY 



It will be generally conceded that the best journey so far made by 

 this method was that of Admiral Peary from Cape Columbia to the 

 Pole. This is a linear distance of about 410 geographical miles. To 

 show graphically some of the points that by this method have an inac- 

 cessibility comparable to that of the Pole itself, a distance of 410 miles 

 has been allowed for along the meridians on which Nansen, De Long, 

 CoUinson, and others attained their farthest north by ship, either 

 under steam or sail. These positions are marked on the map by dots 

 enclosed in small circles. Prom the dots have been drawn arcs of 

 circles of 410-mile radius. The intersecting arcs delimit the inner 

 border of a zone of "comparative accessibility" considered from the 

 point of view of a system of exploration similar to Peary's. The area 

 enclosed by the intersecting arcs — stippled on the map — is the area of 

 "comparative inaccessibility." Any point within it is less accessible 

 than the North Pole. The average rate of Peary's travel was about 12 

 miles a day, so that in five days a distance of sixty miles was covered. 

 Isochronic lines representing this distance have been drawn within the 

 area of comparative inaccessibility. The center — determined by the 

 intersection of arcs with centers at the ships' positions of Peary, Berry, 

 and Nansen — is the "Pole of Inaccessibility." It is the point within the 

 Arctic regions most difficult of access for any explorer who first goes as 

 far as he can by ship and then pushes forward by the use of men and 

 dogs hauling sledges. 



When the time of exploration by airplanes or dirigibles shall come, 

 this map will still express roujhly the comparative inaccessibility of 

 various points within the polar regions, for the presumption is that such 

 flights would be made from bases established by ships under steam. Of 

 course, it will eventually become possible to fly direct from any such city 



