

CHAPTER XI 



SVERDRUP'S EXPEDITION (1898-1902) 



A few days after the return of the Fram, Sverdrup was 

 asked by Nansen whether he wished to go on another 

 expedition to the north. He then explained that Consul 

 Axel Heiberg and the firm of brewers, Messrs. Ringnes 

 Brothers, were willing to equip a new Polar expedition 

 with Sverdrup as the leader. The offer was quickly 

 accepted. 



The route agreed upon was up Smith Sound and 

 through Robeson Channel, and as far along the north 

 coast of Greenland as possible before wintering. Sledge- 

 journeys were then to be made to the northernmost point 

 of Greenland, and as far down the east coast as could be 

 attained. 



The Norwegian Government not only gave the loan 

 of the Fram, but granted about dCHOO for necessary 

 alterations. 



It was intended to provision the Fram for two or three 

 years, but in the end there was enough for five. 



The only member of the first expedition to accompany 

 Sverdrup was Hendriksen. The full party numbered six- 

 teen, and included a botanist, a zoologist, and a geologist. 



The Fram left Christiania on 24th June 1898, and 

 on the 27th it left Christiansand, a course being; set 

 for the south of Greenland, which was sighted on the 

 17th July. 

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