THE NEXT ARCTIC EXPLORER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 182, 27 January 1893, Page 3

THE NEXT ARCTIC EXPLORER.

Dr. N arisen, the enterprising Norwegian, will shortly be making a start for the Polarregions on his Arctic expedition. Dr. Nansen’s vessel the “ Pram,” which means “ forward,” was launched on October 26th last. She has been specially built for his purpose, very strong and her sides slope from the bulwarks to the keel so that when pressed by the ice on all sides she will rise above it instead of remaining to be crushed. The vessel has a carrying capacity of 320 tons and is 101 ft. long on her keel and 128 ft. over all. The crew will consist of 12 strong and well-picked men, and the vessel will be provisioned for five or six years. The vessel has an engine which gives her a speed of six knots with a consumption of 2J tons of coal in 24 hours. By starting from the Kara Sea the bold explorer expects to be assisted by the current which carried the drift from the Jeanette towards Greenland. In case of any mishap to his ship Dr. Nansen has provided himself with two big boats 29 ft. long and 9 ft. broad with flat bottoms. They have a deck and are so big that the whole crew could live even in one of them, and continue the journey. Sir George Nares, the latest Arctic hero, in speaking before the Royal Geographical Society, did not seem to approve of Dr. Nansen’s plans, but the latter is fully convinced that he is on the right tack.