ARCTIC SANATORIUM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 75, 23 December 1918, Page 5

ARCTIC SANATORIUM

SPITSBERGEN AS A HEALTH BESOKT. .The recent announcement that nn expedition under tho auspices of the British Government had been permanently established in Spitzbergen for the purpose of developing the iron, and coal deposits in that territory has prompted much curiosity to whether the climatic conditions would permit of mining operations being carried on (luring the winter months. The answer is (says the "Morning Post") that not only is work possible in winter as well as in summer, but that the climate is one of tho healthiest in the world, and that one of the projects contemplated is the establishment, of a sanatorium for consumptives. The official representatives of the Northern Exploration Company ■who organised the expedition referred to, and have just returned from Spitzbergen, state that when they left the islands in tho middle ! of September arrangements had been completed for working the mines (ill the year round. The explanation as to why this can be done is that although Spitzbergen is within the Arctic circle and the cormal winter temperature is many degrees below- zero, the fact that the western shores of the Archipelago are washed by tho Gulf .Stream, and that the climate is dry and bracing makes outdoor conditions more tolerable there in wjnter than even in Northern Norway, which is four hundred miles farther south. An official statement issued by the company dwells on the all-important effect of the Gulf Stream on the climate of West Spitzbergen, where the British properties are, and mentions that just before the war a scheme for the erection of a first class sanatorium for victims of tuberculosis was in progress. It goes on to say: "Tho 6ummer temperature is pleasing, and averages about 53 degrees F., and climntic conditions approximate to those' of the Alpine health resorts. The winter temperature varies from zero to 50 degrees i\ below zero, but the air is very dry and the winter temperature is therefore not 'felt half so keenly as a few degree's of frost are felt in our damp English climate. The snowfall is not groat. Indeed, it is credibly stated that it is much less than tho snowfall in the north of Norway. Work is continued throughout tho year.

Mr. F. W. Salisbury Jones, the managing director of the company, who took part in -the expedition, states that although he was in Spitzbergen only two or three weeks ago he did not find it necesary to wear nn overcoat there. Some of the party; however, found the wearing of leather waistcoats useful as a protection against the keen winds.

It is believed that shipping communication might be mado possible all the year round. According to Dr. Rudmore Brown, of Sheffield University, who visited Spitsbergen in 19W, the warm Atlantic drift keeps tho west coast so free of ice (hat ships can approach within two or three miles evon in winter. A very powerful ice-breakers could keep a channel open up the fjords to the mines. Aβ for the' winter darkness, that can be dispelled by electa-ic light. Most of the men employed in the mining operations are Norwegians or Swedes, some of whom Xive spent a year of more in the Norweginn or S'vcdish mines 1 in Spitzbergen. They usi-.nlly "sign on" for a year, and as they are boarded and lodged free and have no op. portunity of spending money in the islands, they usually have a substantial sum to their credit in the shape of accumulated wages at the expiration of-their year's contract. r