582 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



THE GREELY EXPEDITION 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



PURPOSES OF THE GREELY EXPEDITION. 



THE frequent disasters that have overtaken expeditions sent to 

 the Arctic regions, involving loss of life by cold and starvation, 

 and intense suffering always, even when no fatalities occurred, 

 have not in the least diminished interest in Arctic exploration, 

 hut on the other hand, seem only to incite renewed endeavor. 

 Governments, reflecting popular desire, continue their efforts to 

 gain honors by fresh discoveries in the almost inaccessible region, 

 and each year serves to prove that civilization will not be content 

 until the secrets and mysteries of the frozen North are yielded 

 up to resolute explorers. The loss of the Jeannette only stimu- 

 lated scientific curiosity, and a hundred daring travelers an- 

 nounced their desire to continue the search for the North Pole. 

 New theories were immediately advanced to take the place of 

 those that had been exploded. 



The Signal Service Department, under Gen. Hazen, took great 

 interest in Arctic research, and when some scientist proposed the 

 establishment of international polar stations by which it was be- 

 lieved the Pole might be reached by gradual approaches, Gen. 

 Hazen at once gave the scheme his unqualified sanction. The 

 question was industriously agitated, until at length Congress, in 

 1880, voted an ample appropriation for equipping an expedition 

 which was to proceed to certain specified points, as will hereafter 

 appear, and establish permanent stations. 



Lieutenant and Brevet-Major Adolphus W. Greely, assistant 

 to the chief signal officer, was an enthusiast on arctic discovery, 



