746 PLAN FOB THE EXPLORATION OF THE ARCTIC. 



form of instrument has been devised for the expedition, bj' which the use of 

 battery is dispensed with entirely, and it is possible that the recently-dis- 

 covered telephone may be applied to advantage. It should certainlj'^ form 

 a part of the outfit. Much attention has been given to the possible use of 

 balloons as a means of observation and perhaps of exploration. I am now 

 in correspondence with distinguished aeronauts in this countr}^ and in France 

 W,pon the subject, and a series of experiments has been instituted to deter- 

 mine the practicability of obtaining a suitable material fo.r the covering of 

 the balloons that will resist low temperature. Here, as elsewhere, the coalmine 

 plays an important part, as by its aid the necessary supply of gas can be 

 I'cadily and quickl}^ procured. 



A few sets of signal equipments, such as are used in ihe armj^ Signal Ser- 

 vice, would also form an important part of the outfit, and all of the men 

 lehould be instructed in their use, and in the Signal code. Thus provided 

 with means of communication, parties could move forward with confidence, 

 4>s they would be able, when necessary, to call upon their comrades, who 

 remained behind, lor advice or assistance. The existence of coal at the 

 ^'•Discovery's" winter quarters determines the question of colonization and 

 \\k'i location of the colony as a means of Polar exploration ; and the Nares 

 expedition wwuild have been a success if it had done nothing more than this. 

 !Che failure of his admirably equipped expedition to reach the Pole is, in a 

 g;reat measure, attributable to the abnormally cold season and the exceptional 

 character of th,e winds, which had resulted in the formation of ice ridges 

 running across the line of march, thus making progress difficult, slow and 

 diangerous. It is. reasonable to suppose, from past meteorological records, 

 ■fehat these unusual conditions will not exist during the present season, and 

 indeed may not occur again for several years. Instead of discouraging fur- 

 ther effort, the result of Nares' expedition, from the causes, named, should 

 Sitimulate fresh endeavors, and hold out a fair j)rospect of success. In any 

 event, the little colony on Lady Franklin Bay during their three years" 

 residence, besides having the opportunity of selecting an open season and 

 Iteecom.ing th.ot'o.u,ghly hardt^ned and acclimated, would have their work nar- 

 rowed down to a common focus — the path -way due north. The work of the 

 !fl!ares e3s:peditii0.ra, clears the w^ay for the final solution of the Arctic problem. 



To carry ouit the plan thus briefly sketched, it is desirable to secure the 

 lase of a governm,ent vessel, and, inasmuch as its object is one of national in- 

 terest, such other Giovernment aid as might be necessary and proper; and 

 Stc^cordingly, a bill to "authorize and equip an Expedition to the Arctic Seas"' 

 ■was introduced in the House of Eepresentatives January 8th, 1877, by Mr.. 

 Hunter, of Indiana, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, from 

 which it was favorably reported, by Mr. Willis, of tfiat committee, February 

 '^nd, 1877. In the Senate the same bill was introduced by Mt. Dawes, and 

 referred to the Committee on ]Sra\ al Affairs, February 9th, 1877. The pres- 

 sure of other and more important business then occupying the attention of 

 Congress and of the nation, prevented fur-^her action during the session, 



