NATURE 



THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1873 



THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION OF 1874 



THE prospect of the Government being convinced of 

 the propriety of despatching an Arctic Expedition, 

 really seems to be brightening. We expressed some appre- 

 hension, when the Royal Geographical Society addressed 

 the late Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject last 

 year, that sufficient pains were not taken to have all 

 branches of Science represented in the Deputation, and 

 that, consequently, the importance of the results of Arctic 

 Research had not been completely explained. There 

 is no cause for any such doubt on the present occasion. 

 The matter has been most carefully and maturely con- 

 sidered by a joint committee appointed by the Councils 

 of the Royal and the Royal Geographical Societies, and 

 consisting of representatives of various departments of 

 Science as well as of the most eminent Arctic authorities. 



A memorandum has been drawn up, and submitted to 

 the Council of the Royal Society, in which the scientific 

 results to be obtained from the examination of the un- 

 known area round the North Pole are set forth ; the 

 dififerent sections having been prepared by men who are 

 in the first rank as authorities in their particular depart- 

 ments of study — nameIy,geography, hydrography, geodesy, 

 physics, meteorology, geology, botany, zoology, and anthro- 

 pology. The memorandum also includes a carefully 

 prepared statement, drav.'n up by distinguished Arctic 

 authorities of the practical aspects of the question, the 

 composition of such an expedition, the precautions that 

 should be taken, and the best route. 



The Royal Society is a body which, from its high posi- 

 tion and from its strong sense of responsibility, never 

 takes action without very careful and mature previous 

 consideration. When this body once adopts a course on 

 any question, the public can always feel satisfied that it 

 has first received the closest attention, in all its bearings 

 from men of the highest attainments. The memorandum 

 of the Committee has been before the Council, and we 

 are able to announce that the value of the scientific re- 

 sults to be derived from Arctic exploration has been 

 recognised, and that the Royal Society is prepared to 

 represent to the Government the desirability of under- 

 taking the discovery of the unknown region. 



With the object of inducing the Government to under- 

 take a North Polar Expedition, the Council of the Royal 

 Society has appointed a deputation to represent their 

 views, consisting of Dr. Hooker, the President-elect, 

 Prof. Hu.xley, Prof. AUman, Mr. Prestwich, Mr. Busk, 

 Mr. Sclater, and General Strachey. 



The British Association has also appointed a Com- 

 mittee with the same object. 



The Ro\al Geographical Society will be represented 

 by its President, Sir Bartle Frere, Sir Henry Rawlinson, 

 the veteran Arctic explorer. Sir George Back, and Admi- 

 rals CoUinson, Ommanney, and Sherard Osborn. 



The Dundee Chamber of Commerce is also deeply 

 impressed with the practical importance of discovery in 

 the unknown area, and has drawn up a memorial to be 

 presented to the Prime Minister, through the member. 

 Sir John Ogilvy. Dundee is not only the principal 

 Vol. IX. — No. 212 



whaling port of Great Britain, but is also the centre of a 

 great and thriving industry, namely, the manufacture of 

 jute, the growth of which employs millions of ryots in 

 Bengal. Now, in the process of preparing the jute fibre, 

 the use of animal oil is essential, so that the business of 

 chasing whales and narwhals in the Arctic seas is of the 

 utmost importance to the cultivators of the Gangetic 

 delta. One industry supports the other, and India, as well 

 as Great Britain, has an interest in Arctic discovery. 

 The Chamber of Commerce, considering the vast in- 

 terests at stake, holds it to be most important that the 

 unknown polar region should be explored, in order that a 

 more complete knowledge may be acquired of the haunts 

 migrations, numbers, and habits of the various oil- 

 yielding animals. The Chamber also feels the advan- 

 tages derived from Arctic expeditions by the best among 

 the experienced mates and harpooners who obtain em- 

 ployment, and indirectly by the whole seafaring popu- 

 lation of the west coast of Scotland. Nor are the bold 

 seamen and enterprising manufacturers of the northern 

 ports, any more than the naval officers and men of science, 

 indifferent to the old renown of their country, and to the 

 immense advantages which are derived from voyages of 

 discovery. 



The events of the last year have strengthened the 

 arguments in favour of an Arctic Expedition. We believe 

 that the despatch of a naval officer to Baffin's Bay last 

 spring was due to the forethought of Admiral Sherard 

 Osborn. The choice was undoubtedly a fortunate one, 

 for Captain Markham entered heart and soul into the 

 spirit of the service on which he was employed. He 

 studied the new system of ice navigation, and of handling 

 powerful steamers in the ice with minute attention. He 

 had the rescued crew of the Polaris on board for several 

 months, and learned from Dr. Bessels and l\Ir. Chester 

 all the particulars of their extraordinarily successful 

 voyage. Nothing escaped him, and on his return he 

 submitted a full and most valuable report. Thus the fiict 

 that a ship can pass up Smith Sound to 82° 16' N. with- 

 out check of any description, unknown before, is now 

 established, as well as the constant movement and drift 

 of the ice in the strait leading to the unknown region. 

 The revolution in ice navigation, caused by the use of 

 powerful steamers, is also more fully understood and 

 appreciated through the report of Captain Markham. 



The deputation which is about to seek an interview 

 with Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Goschen, is thus strength- 

 ened with fresh arguments and with a more exact and 

 complete statement of the objects of Arctic research. It 

 will represent interests which cannot be neglected, and 

 bodies whose individual opinions must needs carry great 

 weight. There will be the Royal Society, the recognised 

 adviser of the Government on all matters relating to 

 Science ; the Royal Geographical Society, the British 

 Association, and the Dundee Chamber of Commerce 

 representing the interests of a great industry and of the 

 sea-faring population of Scotland. The navy will also 

 be fully represented, and the leading Arctic authorities 

 will be present, acting in perfect unanimity as regards the 

 route to be taken and the work to be done. 



We believe that such a deputation must have consider- 

 able influence on the decision of the Government, and 

 that there is every prospect of sanction being given to 



