THE SECRET OF THE NORTH POLE. 127 



natural dock, within which the vessel may remain in 

 comparative safety until a change of wind sets her 

 free. Instances have been known in which a ship has 

 had so narrow an escape in this way, and has been 

 subjected to such an enormous pressure, that when the 

 channel has opened out again, the impress of the ship's 

 side has been seen distinctly marked upon the massive 

 blocks of ice which have pressed against her. 



Notwithstanding the dangers and difficulties of the 

 attempt, and the circumstance that no material gains 

 can reward the explorer, it seems not unlikely that 

 before many months are passed the North Pole will 

 have been reached. Last year two bold attempts were 

 made one by the Swedes, as already mentioned, the 

 other by German men of science. In each case the 

 result was so far successful as to give good promise for 

 future attempts. This year both these nations will 

 renew their attack upon the interesting problem. The 

 German expedition will consist of two vessels, the 

 " Germania " and the " Greenland." The former is a 

 screw-steamer, of 126 tons, and well adapted to en- 

 counter the buffets of the ice-masses which are borne 

 upon the arctic seas. The other is a sailing-yacht of 

 80 tons, and is intended to act as a transport-ship, by 

 means of which communication may be kept up with 

 Europe. The " Germania " will probably winter in 

 high northern latitudes ; and we should not be much 

 surprised if before her return she should have been 



