PLAN FOB THE EXPLORATION OF THE ARCTIC. 74? 



which closed on the 3rd of March last. The subject was found, however, to 

 be one of national and universal interest, and received the hearty commen* 

 dation and support of former Arctic explorers, of geographers, and of mea 

 eminent in the several walks of science, among whom t may name the dis- 

 tinguished President of this Society and the Hon. I. I. Hayes, both of whom 

 have from the first given me their warmest encouragement and the benefit 

 of their wide experience. Professor Joseph Henry, of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitute, Professor Eiias Loomis, of Tale College, President Potter, of Union 

 College, Admiral Porter, of the Navy, the then Secretary of the Navy, and 

 most of the officers and crew of the Polaris, with many others, have given 

 the weight of their names and influence in support of the enterprise in this 

 country, while abroad I have abundant evidence of interest froto members 

 of former expeditions, notable among whom are Dr. John Bea and Captain 

 Kennedy, of English fame, and Lieutenant Payer, of the Austro-Uungarian 

 Expedition. 



As practical evidence of the interest felt in the subject in this country, a 

 number of public spirited and generous citizens, among whom, it is a pleas- 

 ure to state, those of this city occupy the foreiiiost place, having faith in the 

 success of the colonization plan as a means of Arctic exploration, and be- 

 lieving in iLs ultimate approval by Congress, contributed from their private 

 means a sufficient sum for the purchase and outfit of a small vessel to be sent 

 to the Arctic seas for the purpose of collecting such supplies during the en- 

 suing Winter as might be useful for the main expedition of 1878, if thai 

 expedition should be authorized. It was at first intended to limit the mis- 

 sion of this vessel to the collection of material only, but the opportunity for 

 scientific investigation was so inviting, and the added cost incurred thereby 

 so very trifling in comparison with the results to be attained, that space 

 was made on board for two observers and their necessary appai'ialUs. One 

 of these observers was selected on the recommendation of Pi'Of^iSsor Blias 

 Loomis, of Yale College, and instructed to pay especial attention to meteor- 

 ological phenomena, while the other was selected as naturalist of the expedi- 

 tion by Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, from whom 

 he received special instructions. 



This vessel, the Florence, sailed from New London August 3d, with a crew 

 of thirteen men, all told, commanded by Capt. Tyson, of "Polaris" fame, and 

 reached the head of Cum berland Gulf on September 13th, where she has gone 

 into winter quarters. Captain Tyson's instructions are to collect such sup- 

 plies as his experience shows to be necessary for the use of the future colony, 

 and to join the vessel carrying the members of the colony at Disco in August 

 next, and in the event of its non-arrival, to return to the United States, 



There is reason to hope, from the knowledge and attainments of the two 

 scientific gentlemen accompanying the Florence, that the little vessel will, 

 on her return, add no small quota to our knowledge of Algetic cosmogony 

 and phenomena. But however that may be, her loss or safety must remain 

 a closed book to us for many months to come. What perils she may meet, 



