B18 I. I. Hayes on the Practicability 
reference to the chart it will be seen that Smith’s Strait runs 
diagonally to the general direction of the current coming down 
through Kennedy Channel, and in consequence, the Greenland 
shore will have the ice continually forced upon it by the pee 
of the moving water; the same cause meanwhile freeing t 
site coast. That this side will afford greater facilities for reaching 
a high north latitude will be evident, and travelling parties would 
be protected against the chief difficulties which beset Dr. Kane 
~ crossing the ridges of hummocked ice in the centre of the 
trait. 
It is on this western coast that the small steamer to which I 
have referred might be made serviceable, and in this opinion I 
am supported by the judgment of my friend, Mr. Wilson, late the 
sailing master of the “‘ Advance.” During a mild season the disso- 
lution of the land margin of the ice fields is considerable, and a ves- 
- sel of shallow draught propelled by steam, might possibly be ab! 
to work through Kennedy Channel into the Polar Sea. But this 
would be too doubtful a reliance for sole dependence. The main 
hope of success should be in the boats. Early in the spring, the 
shores of Grinnell Land should be—as already stated—l 
with depots of provisions, as far north as latitude 82°, where & 
final cache should be established for the use of the polar boat 
these stores to be carried forward by the do; ne of 
-erew shoul r 
one hundred and fifty miles they would probably, as I have said, 
meet the open water by the middle of May or the first of June. 
The chief difficulties which have hitherto beset Arctic travel 
lers can be mainly overcome. The rough ice which baffled Dr. 
_ Kane’s parties, as above observed, can be in a great _m 
avoided ag the crossing of Smith’s Strait; and Kennedy 
Channel having a due north trend, and presenting no salient 
apes like the remarkable projection of western Greenland, wi 
e no doubt, be : mostly smooth. Sucha track presents 
ities for travel. One man will readily walk sixteen (16) 
day, dragging from one hundred (100) to one h 
