INTRODUCTION 41 



methods that a polar expedition ought to pursue. 

 The eminent Arctic traveller, Admiral Sir Leopold 

 M'Clintock, opened the discussion with the remark: 

 " I think I may say this is the most adventurous 

 programme ever brought under the notice of the 

 Royal Geographical Society." He allowed that the 

 facts spoke in favor of the correctness of my theories, 

 but was in a high degree doubtful whether my plan 

 could be realized. He was especially of opinion that 

 the danger of being crushed in the ice was too great. 

 A ship could, no doubt, be built that would be strong 

 enough to resist the ice pressure in summer ; but should 

 it be exposed to this pressure in the winter months, 

 when the ice resembled a mountain frozen fast to the 

 ship's side, he thought that the possibility of being forced 

 up on the surface of the ice was very remote. He firmly 

 believed, as did the majority of the others, that there 

 was no probability of ever seeing the Frain again when 

 once she had given herself over to the pitiless polar ice, 

 and concluded by saying, " I wish the doctor full and 

 speedy success. But it will be a great relief to his 

 many friends in England when he returns, and more 

 particularly to those who have had experience of the 

 dangers at all times inseparable from ice navigation, 

 even in regions not quite so far north." 



Admiral Sir George Nares said : 



"The adopted Arctic axioms for successfully navi- 

 gating an icy region are that it is absolutely necessary 



