INTR OD UCTIOlV 29 



the north side of the minimum belt must, however, blow 

 mainly in a direction from east to west, and will conse- 

 quently produce a w^esterly current, passing across the 

 Pole towards the Greenland Sea, exactly as we have seen 

 to be the case. 



"It thus appears that, from whatever side we consider 

 this question, even apart from the specially cogent evi- 

 dences above cited, we cannot escape the conclusion that 

 a current passes across or very near to the Pole into the 

 sea between Greenland and Spitzbergen. 



" This being so, it seems to me that the plain thing 

 for us to do is to make our way into the current on that 

 side of the Pole where it flows northward, and by its 

 help to penetrate into those regions which all who have 

 hitherto worked agaiiist it have sought in vain to 

 reach. 



" My plan is, briefly, as follows : I propose to have a 

 ship built as small and as strong as possible — just big 

 enough to contain supplies of coals and provisions for 

 twelve men for five years. A ship of about 170 tons 

 (gross) will probably suffice. Its engine should be pow- 

 erful enough to give a speed of 6 knots ; but in addition 

 it must also be fully rigged for sailing. 



" The main point in this vessel is that it be built on 

 such principles as to enable it to withstand the pressure 

 of the ice. The sides must slope sufficiently to prevent 

 the ice, when it presses together, from getting firm hold 

 of the hull, as was the case with the Jcannette and other 



