744 PLAN FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE ARCTIC. 



Where this open water was found, Captain Nares, in 1875 and 1876, 

 found solid, impenetrable ice, through which no vessel could force its way, 

 and over which it was equally impossible for sled parties to work. 



These facts appear to show that, within the Arctic circle the seasons 

 vary as markedly as in more temperate southern latitudes, and that the 

 icy barriers to the Pole are sometimes broken up by favoring winds and 

 temperature. To get further north, or to reach the Pole, prompt advan- 

 tage must be taken of such favoring circumstances, and to do this with the 

 greatest certainty and with the least expenditure of time, money, and 

 human life, it is essential that the exploring party be on the ground at the 

 very time the ice gives way and opens the gateway to the long-sought 

 prize, fully prepared to improve every opportunity that oifers. 



The permanent colony should be furnished with provisions and other 

 necessary supplies for three years, and should consist of at least fifty se- 

 lected men, mustered into the service of the United States, three commis- 

 sioned officers, and two surgeons, all to be selected with a view to their 

 especial fitness for the work — young, able-bodied, resolute men, who can be 

 depended upon to carry out instructions to the extreme limit of human 

 endurance. An astronomer and two or more naturalists, to be selected by 

 the National Academy of Sciences, and to work under instructions from 

 that body, but subject to such general supervision and directions from the 

 head of the expedition as is customary at all posts in charge of an officer 

 of the United States, should accompany the expedition. One or more 

 members of the regular force should be competent to make meteorological 

 observations, and to communicate by telegraph and signals whenever such 

 communications become necessary. An annual visit should be made to 

 the colony to carry fresh food and supplies ; to keep the members informed 

 of events occurring in the outside world, and bear them news and letters 

 from anxious relatives ; to bring back news of progress made and of a 

 private character to friends; also, if necessary, to bring back invalided 

 members of the expedition, and carry out fresh colonists to take their 

 places. In this way the morale of the colony would be maintained and the 

 physique of its members kept constantly at the maximum, and the knowl- 

 edge that this annual visit would be made, would do much to alleviate the 

 discomforts of the long Arctic night, and the feeling of isolation so graphi- 

 cally described by Arctic explorers. 



Captain Hall spent eight years among the Esquimaux, and each year 

 found himself better fitted to withstand the severity of the Arctic circle, and 

 the colony would, it is believed, in like manner become acclimated, and 

 eventually succeed in accomplishing the long-sought end. 



With a few strong, substantial buildings, such as can be easily carried 

 on shipboard, the members of the colony could be made as comfortable and 

 as safe from atmospheric dangers as are the men of the Signal Service, 

 stationed on the summits of Pike's Peak and Mount Washington, or the 

 employes of the Hudson's Bay Company, stationed at Fort York, or else- 

 where, where a temperature of — 60° is not uncommon. 



