374 WELLMAN POLAR EXPEDITION 



decided to cooperate, in some measure, with this expedition, and 

 a committee, consisting of President Alexander Graham Bell, 

 Gen. A. W. Greely, U. S. A., Prof. G. K. Gilbert, Dr C. Hart Mer- 

 riam, Commodore George W. Melville, U. S. N., and Prof. Simon 

 Newcomb, was appointed to advise Mr Wellman concerning the 

 scientific work to be undertaken. This committee drafted a 

 statement indorsing the aims and purposes of the expedition, 

 and suggested the addition to the exploring party of three scien- 

 tific observers, a suggestion that was promptly acted upon. 



The Board has also undertaken to make a financial contribu- 

 tion to the expedition, with the understanding that in the event 

 of the amount so contributed being refunded it shall be applied 

 to a permanent fund for research. Subscriptions to the amount 

 of one thousand dollars have been received from members of the 

 Board of Managers and of the Society in general, and have been 

 applied to the purposes of the expedition. Further contribu- 

 tions, from one dollar upward, may be sent to the Treasurer, 

 Mr Henry Gannett, U. S. Geological Survey. 



Mr Wellman and his party sailed from Tromso on Sunday, 

 June 26, in the S. S. Frithyof. Four days later, when in the 

 White Sea, Mr Wellman wrote President Bell a letter, of which 

 the following is an abstract : 



' ' We expect to be at Archangel, where eighty dogs are waiting for 

 us, on Saturday. The Frithyof is a good steamer, very strong and well 

 equipped. In only one particular is she a disappointment — she does not 

 steam as many knots an hoar as had been represented to us. Still she is 

 fast enough for the work. The reports from the ice are that it is a very 

 unfavorable year, but my experience is that such reports do not count for 

 much. A day or two of different wind may change conditions radically. 

 In less than ten days we expect to be at the ice to see for ourselves. 



"The only financial affair now worrying me is that we have not the 

 funds for a steamer to come after us next year. In all probability it will 

 not be necessary to hire a steamer specially, as there will be other ships 

 going to Franz Josef Land. This matter is left in the hands of Consul 

 Andrew Aagaard, of Tromso, Norway, a most estimable gentleman. I 

 have asked him to communicate with my friends in America in good 

 season ; and while I have not the slightest idea it will be necessary to hire 

 a ship, if it should be I hope my friends will stand by us. Even if a 

 ship is needed, it will not be very costly, as it may start later in the year 

 than we are going. 



"Our party consists of nine — four Americans and five Norwegians. 

 Prof. Gore does not go to Franz Josef Land with us. Instead he goes to 

 Spitzbergen. He was afraid he might be too long delayed in getting back 

 from the former region. I am pleased with all the men, and we shall do 

 our best to give you good news from us next year." 



