igo THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



authority for any extended absence from the station. In 

 connection with this order, Sergeant Lynn was reduced to 

 the ranks for having made a " disrespectful remark." 



From 14th to 19th November there was a great 

 magnetic storm, which was general throughout the world. 

 During this time the auroral displays were magnificent, 

 and on the 17th the magnetic needle ranged in variation 

 considerably over 19°. 



The second winter passed, and left the party in much 

 better health and spirits than had been anticipated. 

 There had been an abundance of fresh meat, and no scurvy 

 made its appearance. 



The spring work of 1883 was to be a renewal of 

 explorations in North Greenland. Lockwood left Conger 

 for his preliminary journey on 10th March, with five men 

 and dog-teams. During an absence of seven days he 

 accumulated about 1300 lb. of field-supplies near Cape 

 Sumner. 



He started on his final journey northwards on 27th 

 March. He was instructed to return to Polaris Boat 

 Camp not later than 31st May. The party left thoroughly 

 equipped, and had the former year's experience in their 

 favour. The journey to Black Horn Cliffs from Conger 

 was made in six days, against twenty -two days in 1882. 

 Here, however, open water was met, and the party had to 

 return. They reached Conger on the 12th of April. 



In discussing this journey, Greely expresses his belief in 

 an open Polar Sea which could only be entered by a ship 

 in extremely favourable years by the Spitzbergen route. 

 The huge fioebergs of the north are given off' by glacial 

 lands in the vicinity of the North Pole, according to 

 Greely 's view. The discoveries of Nansen prove the non- 

 existence of an open Polar Sea, and Peary claims to have 

 discovered that the source of the fioebergs is in the 

 glaciers of the extreme north of Greenland. 



