568 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



difficulty in Arctic navigation. This was accomplished by simply 

 placing a small circular plate of iron near the compass. Neither 

 of the other three expeditions made any discoveries, nor did any 

 of them meet, but each party met with great difficulties and 

 experienced intense suffering. 



In May, 1829, Capt. Ross set sail in the steamer victory, with 

 the purpose of reaching the North Pole, if possible, but chiefly 

 to make scientific investigations at all eligible points. This was 

 the first voyage to the north ever undertaken in a steamer, and it 

 served to prove the advantages of this mode of navigation over 

 sails. Ross explored 300 miles of new coast, and by leaving his 

 vessel and taking to the sledges, he reached lat. 70 5' 17", and 

 long. 96 40' 45" w., at which spot he fixed the position of the 

 true magnetic pole. Scurvy appeared among the crew in such a 

 virulent form that he hud to abandon his ship, and wander about 

 for nearly two years in a hopeless state, many of the men dying, 

 and all suffering from cold and hunger. They were finally picked 

 up by a vessel which returned them to the Orkney Islands. 



In February, 1833, Capt. Bock was sent out in search of Ross, 

 but shortly afterward, learning of his friend's safety, continued 

 on toward the north for nearly two years, but his voyage was 

 without results except the discovery of Victoria Land. On May 

 27, 1847, Dr. Rae, sent out by the Hudson Buy Company, 

 completed the entire survey of the north coast of America, with 

 the exception of Fury and Hecla Straits. 



SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. 



THIS brings us to the explorations of the celebrated Sir John 

 Franklin, whose eminent services and tragic death in the Polar 

 regions merit more than a passing notice. This distinguished 

 explorer was born at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England, April 16, 

 1786. He was the youngest son of a respectable yeoman, who 

 was compelled to sell his estate and engage in trade. John was 

 intended for the clerical profession, but had such a consuming 

 desire to follow the sea that, after a short voyage to Lisbon, his 

 father procured his admission to the navy as midshipman, at the 

 age of 14 years. He accompanied his cousin, Capt. Flinders, on 



