228 The Polar Colonization Plan. [ April, 
inhabitants of Godhaven, in Greenland. Game was found in 
fair quantities by the Polaris party on the Greenland coast, and 
by those from the Alert and Discovery on the mainland to the 
west, especially in the vicinity of the last-named vessel, where 
fifty-four musk-oxen were killed during the season, with quanti- 
ties of other and smaller game. A seam of good coal was also 
found by the Discovery’s party, which would render the question 
of fuel a light one, and thus remove one of the greatest difficul- 
ties hitherto found by Arctic voyagers. 
The principal depot or post should be located upon Lady 
Franklin Bay, between latitude 81° and 82°, and there is no ques- 
tion that this can be reached with a steam vessel, as Captain 
Hall went as high as Cape Union, between latitude 82° and 83°, 
with the Polaris, and Captain Nares still higher with the 
Alert. It is probable that the last-named point may be reached 
with the vessel, in which case coal and provisions could be depos- 
ited there to form a secondary base of operations for the explor- 
ing party. If this latter can be done, the road to the Pole will 
be shortened by about ninety miles in distance and three weeks 
or more in time, two very important items. It should be clearly 
understood that the only use to be made of the vessel, which it 
is hoped will be obtained from the Navy Department, is in the 
transportation of the men and supplies to the location of the 
colony. When this is done the vessel will return to the United 
States and await further instructions. An annual visit might be 
made to the colony, to carry fresh food and supplies, to keep its 
members informed of events occurring in the outside world, and 
bear them news and letters from anxious relatives; to bring back 
news of progress made and of a private character to friends; 
also, if necessary, to bring back invalided members of the expe- 
dition, and carry out fresh colonists to take their places. The 
permanent colony should consist of fifty chosen men, mustered 
into the service of the United States, three commissioned officers, 
and two surgeons; all to be selected with a view to their especial 
fitness for work, the young, able-bodied, resolute men, who can be 
depended upon to carry out instructions to the extreme limit of 
human endurance. An astronomer and two or more naturalists, 
to be selected by the National Academy of Sciences, and to work 
under instructions from that body, but subject to such general 
supervision and direction from the head of the expedition pi 
customary at all posts in charge of an officer of the United = 
States, should accompany the expedition. One or more mem- 
