Some official papers on the proposed Arctic expedition have been been issued. The Admiralty Arctic committee state that the route by Smith Sound appears by far the preferable one to adopt, for the following reasons :—lts southern entrance, in the latitude of 78 deg, has been found free from iceby the several vessels which have visited it si: ci 1852. Of late years the sound has been penetrated for a considerable distance by American exploring expeditions, notably by Hall, who reached and wintered beyond the 81st parallel without much difficulty, and tin: vessels comprising these expeditions were far inferior in power and equipment to those which will compose the present, Smith Sound is known to have a continuous coast
lino on either side up to the parallel of about 82deg, the highest point yet reached, with comparatively well determined points, where record of the progress of Ihe expedition could be deposited and depots of provisions placed if necessary. There are likewise the Danish settlements on the west side of Greenland to fall back upon by boats, should the expedition be hard pushed, and the steam whalers frequent a high latitude in Baffin’s Bay every summer. This route, moreover, offers] the best, indeed the only promise of a continuous coast line stretching far northwards, and upon this fact the prospects of reaching the Pole by travelling parties mainly depends. It is the only route so far as our knowledge extends, where the operations of an expedition can be confined within such limits that succour would be reasonably certain of reaching it. Finally, animal life has been found to exist to a considerable extent in the highest latitude yet reached up Smith Sound —an advantage which cannot be over estimated as regards the health and comfort of the crews: and, as a matter of fact, Esquimaux are found up to the entrance of Smith Sound, who appear to have a knowledge of regions to the northward; and it is possible that some of their race may be found to exist in a higher latitude than has yet been attained. Before the institution of smoking compartments on our railways, a canny man got into a carriage, and, pulling out his pipe, addressed a douce like body who sat opposite, “D’ye objec te smokin’?” “Yis, aa dee,” was the emphatic reply of the matron. Putting on a most insinuating air, the inquirer again addressed his vis-a-vis, “But wad ye objec te mee smokin’” The emphasis on the personal pronoun was an irresistible appeal, and the canny man was happy with his pipe. The Times is earning the gratitude of the community by its raid upon financial speculators, and the more loudly they complain the better will the public be pleased. To compare the influences of the World with that of the Times would be absurd; but we may take credit to ourselves for having thrown a little light upon the devices of these gentry. Just as the two Israelites who went down to Jericho dwelt with the harlot Rahab in the interests of society, so we have made it our business to dwell in the tents of the city Philistines, and we flatter ourselves that we have now acquired so complete a knowledge of the manoeuvres that we are able to anticipate all their tricks. —( World.)
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GLOBE18750614.2.17
Bibliographic details
Globe, Volume IV, Issue 313, 14 June 1875, Page 4
Word Count
552Untitled Globe, Volume IV, Issue 313, 14 June 1875, Page 4
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