CHAPTER VII 



THE BRITISH EXPEDITION OF 1875-76 



The Government of Queen Victoria having determined 

 that an expedition of Arctic exploration should be under- 

 taken, the ships Alert and Discover)) were specially fitted 

 out for this service, and the command given to Captain 

 George S. Nares. The ship Valorous was also to ac- 

 company the expedition to Disco with stores and then 

 return. The primary object was to attain the highest 

 northern latitude, and, if possible, to reach the North 

 Pole. The expedition was fitted out regardless of expense. 

 According to the Admiralty instructions, the second ship 

 was not to be carried northward of the 82nd parallel, so 

 that the crew of the advance ship might fall back on it 

 in case of emergency. 



The two ships left Portsmouth on 29th May 1875, and 

 arrived at the island of Disco without special incident. 

 Here the services of Frederick the Eskimo were obtained, 

 and at Proven, Hans Hendrick was also engaged. This 

 was the same Hans who had previously accompanied three 

 American expeditions. 



A depot of 3600 rations was landed on the most south- 

 eastern of the Carey Islands, and also a boat. On the 

 27th July the two ships passed between Northumberland 

 and Hakluvt Islands. 



On the south-west brow of Littleton Island a cairn 



was erected, in which was placed a notice containing a 



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