44 2 Arctic and Antarctic Exploration [partii 
the coast of Graham Land. He sailed for the south in 
a little vessel called the Frangais in 1903 and passed a 
winter at Wandel Island, afterwards cruising for some 
distance along the coast of Graham Land. Returning 
to France he resolved to construct and equip a small 
steamer specially for Antarctic work. She was built at 
vSt Malo in 1908 and named the Pourquoi Pas (450 h.-p., 
length 131 ft., beam 30 ft.), and Charcot sailed in her 
from Havre August 15th, 1908. From Punta Arenas he 
sailed south, and examined the coasts of Adelaide Island 
of Biscoe, landing on one of a group of small islets on the 
15th January, 1909. The winter was passed at Petermann 
Island. In the summer of 1909 — 1910 he followed the edge 
of the pack as far as 125 0 W., sighting Bellingshausen's 
Peter Island on January 16th, 1910. He had previously 
sighted the Alexander I Land of Bellingshausen on board 
the Frangais at a distance of 60 miles, on January nth- 
13th, 1905. After again sighting it, he shaped a course into 
the South Pacific, when south of 70 0 , calling a distant 
appearance of land Charcot Land after his father. He 
returned to Rouen June 5th, 1910. 
These two voyages comprise a useful piece of polar 
work. Dr Charcot has won the admiration of all who 
know him, and all true Britons feel a regard for the 
gallant Frenchman when they remember his camaraderie 
and affection for Captain Scott. 
FlLCHNER 
In 191 1 Filchner, an officer in the Prussian army, 
came forward to raise funds for an Antarctic expedition, 
announcing that there was much talk of theories, but 
that he was going to cut the Gordian knot by going to 
see. Having raised the necessary funds, Filchner's plan 
was to explore the Weddell Quadrant to its apex. He 
bought a Norwegian whaler built at Arendal and named 
the Njord, and took with him a scientific staff, Dr Koenig 
of Vienna being the naturalist, and Dr Heinrich Seelheim 
the geographer. The master of the ship was Captain 
Jorgensen. The expedition left Hamburg in May, 1911, 
with all the equipment for long inland journeys, including 
three motors. 
Filchner went the right way to work. There was no 
