A POLAR COLONY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5035, 14 May 1877, Page 3

A POLAR COLONY.

(From The Times.)

A Bill was recently brought before the United States’ Congress, and has been referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, the object of which is to obtain a grant of 50,000d015. for a decidedly novel and daring scheme, viz., the planting of a colony within 400 miles of the North Pole, for the purpose of accomplishing at leisure the feat from which Sir Geoige Nitres and his brave companions have returned baffled. The scheme has received the support of the United States Geographical Society, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academy of Science, the members of former Arctic Expeditious, and many eminent men of science in the United States. Aims it is not improbable that Congress will grant the sum asked for—modest enough, certainly, as compared with the cost of our own expedition. The author of the scheme is Captain H. W. Howgate, of the United States Signal Service, a thoroughly practical and experienced man of science, and no mere armchair dreamer. Captain Howgate’s plan, then, for reaching the Pole is to settle a few hardy, resolute, and experienced men at some point near the borders of the Polar Sea, the most favorable one for the purpose being that where the Discovery wintered last year. Such a colony, according to Captain Howgate’s scheme (the details of which have just reached us), should consist of at least 50 men, and should be provided with provisions and other necessary supplies for three years ; if still unsuccessful in accomplishing the object, the colony should be revictualled and again left to their work. With a strong substantial buildingsnch as could be easily carried on shipboard, the party could be made as comfortable and as safe from atmospheric dangers as are the men of the United St »tes Signal Service stationed on the summits of Pike’s Peak and Mount Washington, or the employes of the Hudson’s Hay Company at Fork York, where a temper; 1 tore of min ns OOdeg, is not uncommon. A good supply of medicine, a skilful surgeon, and -uch fresh provisions as could be found by having parties would enable them to keep off fir ;-vy, and to maintain as good a sanitary condition as the inhabitants of Godhavn in Greenland. Game in fair quantities, Captain Howgatc thinks, would be found, judging from the experience of the Alert ami the Discovery, and the scam of good coal near the Discovery’s quarters would render the question of fuel a light one, Thu principal depot or port would be located upon Lady Fraulclyn -Bay, between latitude 81deg. and £2deg., which Captain Howgate thinks, with some reason, could be easily reached. If 2->o«sible, an advance depot should be placed lit the Alert’s quarters, thus shortening the road to the Polo by ninety miles. The only use of a vessel would bo to take out men and supplies and then return. An annual visit might be made with fresh provisions and news of the outer world ; but Captain Howgate does not consider this necessary, for if the colony were left to Itself till the end of the three years, it would be found that the work had been completed. Captain Howgate wisely insists that the colony should be under stiict military discipline, and that it should contain men competent to make observations in various departments of science. Esquimaux and dogs should also be 'added. The outfit of the expedition should also include about 200 miles of copper wire and the necessary portable batteries to connect the colony at Lady Franklin Bay with the subsidiary depot at Cape Union, and thence northward- as far as possible. Of course the great object of planting such a temporary colony would be to unable the colonists at once to take advantage of a favorable opportunity for pushing on to the Polo by means of boats and sledges. Captain Howgate thinks that jq any ordinary season open water will be found at Markham's farthest point

which will enable boats to get as far north as 85deg., where he expects, iu accordance with Captain Hall’s theory, laud will be found. As to the matter of temperature, Captain Howgate shows that the site of the proposed colony would not be much colder than many inhabited places in the north of Europe, Asia, and America ; though here he seems to overlook the fact that it is the long continuance of the intense cold, coupled with the absence of the sun, which tells on Arctic explorers. Already many men, in every way qualified for the work, have volunteered their services, and not a few Representatives have been instructed by their constituents to vote for the Bill. We confess that Captain Howgate’s scheme seems more likely to be successful in attaiuiug the Pole—we say nothing of the value of the object than any scheme hitherto proposed, certainly than another unwieldy and expensive expedition in ships and sledges. The sum asked is not large, and if the United States Congress is willing to grant it, we are sure all the world will watch the experiment with the greatest interest. Meantime what the scheme requires is thorough criticism frem competent and unprejudiced critics.