1877.] The Polar Colonization Plan. 227 
was the opinion of the crew of that ill-fated vessel that if she had 
been but the fraction of an hour earlier in reaching the channel 
they could have steamed unobstructed over a veritable ‘ open sea ” 
to the Pole itself. We know that they did not succeed, but were 
forced to winter almost within sight of this sea, and subse- 
quently, disheartened by the loss of their gallant commander, 
abandoned the enterprise. 
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 
sledge parties to work. 
These facts appear to show that within the Arctic circle the 
seasons vary as markedly as in more temperate southern lati- 
tudes, and that the icy barriers to the. Pole are sometimes broken 
up by favoring winds and temperature. To reach the Pole 
prompt advantage must be taken of such favoring circumstances, 
and to do this with the greatest certainty and with the least ex- 
penditure of time, money, and human life, it is essential that the 
exploring party be on the ground at the very time the ice breaks 
up and opens the gate-way to the long-sought prize. This can 
be done only by colonizing a few hardy, resolute, and experienced 
men at some point near the borders of the Polar Sea, and the 
most favorable one for the purpose appears to be that where the 
Discovery wintered last year. : 
Such a party should consist of at least fifty men, and should be 
provided with provisions and other necessary supplies for three 
years, at the end of which period they should be visited, and if 
still unsuccessful in accomplishing the object, revictualled and 
again left to their work. 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 party of 
which I speak would in like manner become acclimated, and 
eventually succeed in accomplishing the long-desired end. With 
-a strong, substantial building, such as could easily be carried on 
shipboard, the party could be made as comfortable and as safe 
from atmospheric dangers as are the men of the signal service sta- 
tioned on the summits of Pike’s Peak and Mount Washington, 
or the employés of the Hudson’s Bay Company stationed at Fort 
ork, where a temperature of —60° is not uncommon. A good 
Supply of medicine, a skillful surgeon, and such fresh provision 
as could be found by hunting parties would enable them to keep 
off Scurvy and to maintain as good a sanitary condition as the 
