_A few brief suggestions, relative to the description, tonnage, and
number of vessels, necessary to be equipped for a voyage of discovery
to the interior regions of the earth; the number of men necessary
to be employed on board, articles necessary for the outfit, and the
probable expense attending the same; also, as to the route most proper
to be pursued to accomplish the object of the expedition._
Captain Symmes, in his first circular, published at St. Louis, on
the 10th day of April, 1818, asks an outfit of one hundred brave
companions, well equipped, to set out from Siberia in autumn, with
rein-deer and sleighs, to pass over the ice of the frozen sea. On being
furnished with an outfit of this description, he engages to explore the
concave regions, and discover a warm, or at least a temperate country,
of fertile soil, well stocked with animals and vegetables, if not men,
on reaching about sixty-nine miles beyond latitude eighty-two degrees.
The route, intended to be pursued by Captain Symmes, appears to be that
of the rein-deer, and the time of setting out, the same season of the
year, in which (according to Professor Adams) the rein-deer migrate
from that coast north. In this route it would be necessary to cross
the verge, or region of most intense cold, with the greatest possible
expedition, so as to reach an inner temperate climate, in the shortest
time. The concave regions could be partially explored during the
winter; and the party return in the spring, and at the same time of the
rein-deer, to the mouth of the river Lena.
The Russians have been making considerable exertions to explore the
northern regions. Baron Wrangle made an attempt of this kind, in
the year 1821. And a second attempt was made in the year 1822, by
travelling with sledges, drawn by dogs.[47] But, probably owing to the
party not having faith in the winding meridians about the verge of the
polar opening, or being unacquainted with their direction according
to the theory of concentric spheres, they were bewildered, and kept
travelling in the neighbourhood of the verge, the region of greatest
cold, instead of proceeding in a direct course towards the pole, until
they were finally obliged to return without accomplishing the object of
the expedition.
At the present time (August, 1824) an expedition is fitting out in
Russia at great expense, under the auspices of that distinguished
patron of science, Count Romanzoff, for the purpose of making
discoveries in the northern regions, with the intention of exploring
over land, or on the ice, as far as it may be found practicable.
The celebrated Admiral Kruzenstern, is to exercise a general
superintendance over the expedition, while the immediate command is to
be conferred on some distinguished Russian officer.
The continent of North America, would, in my opinion, be a more
suitable place, for an exploring party to set out from, than the
coast of Siberia. A company of men, well armed, could travel over
land, and draw their provisions and baggage on hand sledges, on the
snow or ice, as Hearne did during his journey, with light canoes for
the purpose of crossing rivers and lakes, should such be found to
obstruct their progress. In this manner, the party would soon cross
the verge, or "barren grounds," as Hearne calls it, and arrive in that
country of abundant game, of which the Indians informed him. Hearne,
according to his journal, reached nearly the seventy-second degree
of north latitude, and his general course is laid down as being
north-westwardly, from Fort Churchill to the mouth of Copper-Mine
river, which he says disembogues itself into the Northern sea, flowing
in a northerly direction. Me-lo-no-bee, the Indian chief, who served as
Hearne's guide from Hudson's Bay, pointed out the mouth of Copper-Mine
river, as being in a north-eastwardly direction from Fort Churchill,
and flowing in an eastwardly course. Subsequent discoveries have, I
believe, determined Me-lo-no-bee to be correct in this particular,
as that river has been ascertained to empty into the waters of the
Atlantic north of Repulse Bay, several hundred miles distant from
where Hearne lays it down on his map. It is so laid down in the map
accompanying Ross' voyage of discovery. How Hearne could be so much
mistaken in the course he travelled, as to lay it down at nearly a
right angle from its true course, is rather unaccountable: he must have
been deceived by the winding meridians of the verge, which turned him
to the right; when to have passed directly into the concave, he ought,
on arriving at a certain point, to have proceeded west of north, then
west, and finally south-west, which would probably have conducted
him to that country, which the Indian represented as being far to
the west, or south-west, and so warm that there was never any frost.
In this direction, an exploring party ought most probably to travel,
first north until they come to the verge; where (if they are on the
continent of America) the meridians begin to wind to the right, then
gradually, as they advanced, incline to the west, then true west, then
south of west, and finally, when entirely beyond the apparent verge,
to the south-west, if not due south. In crossing the verge, the cold
would no doubt be considerable: but cold in those regions, as measured
by the thermometer, appears to us much greater than the feelings of
those exposed to that temperature indicate. Hence it was, no doubt,
that Parry's crew could hunt in winter, when the medium was below zero.
And the Russians set out on their expedition over the ice in 1821, when
the cold was thirty-two degrees Reaumur; and this too accounts for
Hearne's sleeping in the snow, without fire, by only digging a hole,
and lying therein, with his sledge turned up to windward. It does not
appear that he complained of excessive cold; though he travelled nearly
all winter. He had also several Indian women in company. The regions
through which he passed, as well as that in which Ross and Parry
were, are alleged to be the coldest of the earth; and that those men
experienced as great a degree of cold as would be in passing the verge
into the concave regions.
But I am of opinion that the most practicable, the most expeditious,
and the best mode of exploring the interior regions would be by sea,
and by way of the south polar opening, crossing the verge at the low
side, in the Indian ocean, where it is presumed the sea is always open,
and nearly free from ice. But, as we are residents of the northern
hemisphere, the nearness of the north polar opening to us, and the
more immediate advantages which would result to us from an intercourse
with the countries within the concave to the north, would seem to
point out that as the most proper direction to be pursued; though the
difficulties to be encountered in passing the verge of the north polar
opening, would doubtless be much greater than those of the south, the
cold much severer, and the ice more compact and difficult to pass.
However, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the object, I think,
might be safely accomplished by sailing, either east of Spitzbergen,
or between Spitzbergen and Greenland; where, writers, in whom
confidence may be placed, inform us, that the sea is open all winter.
The greatest difficulty to be apprehended, would be the accumulation of
drifting ice in the summer season; but in the winter, that difficulty,
perhaps, would not be presented as in the fall or commencement of
winter, the ice would attach itself to one shore or the other, and
become permanent.
The Russians who wintered on Spitzbergen, say that the sea was open
during the whole winter, quite across the north end of the island.
Several sailors who were once left on an island near Spitsbergen, lived
there several years; though destitute of almost every necessary of
life, they were not only able to support the cold of the winters, but
even to supply themselves with provisions, and light, in those dreary
regions. They finally returned in health and safety to their native
country and friends. This island is probably as cold as any spot that
is known to our sphere.
A vessel, almost at any time in summer, could sail to, and remain at
Spitzbergen, (having the necessary conveniences on board to make the
crew comfortable) for two or three years. They could lie all winter
at the north part of the island, and after being there long enough to
become acquainted with the nature and changes in the sea to the north
of them, they could take some favorable opportunity, and reach the
pole, (if the earth be a globe) or the interior concave regions. The
distance from the north of Spitzbergen to the pole is only six hundred
geographical miles.
Another favorable direction for making the discovery is, by Bhering's
straits on the north-west coast of America: And an additional advantage
which is presented by this direction, is, that if the vessels should be
obstructed by, or frozen in the ice, the party could proceed by land
on the shore of America, (which is supposed to communicate with the
concave regions,) a party remaining with the vessels till the others
returned.
In case an expedition of discovery should be fitted out for the purpose
of making the attempt, by either route, the safety of the party would
require that two vessels should be equipped with rather more than an
ordinary number of men, and with a double number of boats at least;
some so light and portable as to be easily carried by men over ice, or
necks of land, should it become necessary.
Vessels propelled by steam would be preferable to any other, as they
could more easily avoid the floating ice in passing the verge; as, also
ascend rapid rivers in the interior, should such be discovered, and it
be found necessary to ascend them. The vessels should be equipped with
masts, sails, and every part of rigging necessary for sailing; with a
ballast of coal, which should not be used, or any other fuel for steam
purposes, until they come within the neighbourhood of the ice, through
which, by pursuing a proper course, it is believed, they would in a
few days pass, and arrive at a more temperate climate, and a country
where they would be abundantly supplied with both wood and provisions.
Perhaps it would be advisable to take on board a small boat, with a
proportionate steam-engine, for the purpose of running up shallow
rivers, or along coasts, to make more minute observations.
But the most important matter of all to be observed, and that on which
the success of the expedition must depend, would be a proper observance
of the principles of the theory, and a due attention to the winding
meridians, and curvatures of the parallels of latitude, when the verge
shall be crossed; and which will require the party to be continually
varying their course as they proceed forward in accordance with the
place at which the attempt shall be made.
The expense of an expedition of this kind, would not be very great; at
least not considerable when compared with the magnitude of the object
to be accomplished, though I have not made, nor do I consider myself
adequate to make minute estimates on the subject. But I should conclude
that a sum of one or two hundred thousand dollars would be amply
sufficient to defray all expenses attending such an expedition. Should
an attempt be made by way of the south polar opening, with vessels
fitted out as for a whaling voyage, the expense would probably not
be the one fifth part of that sum. And were an expedition undertaken
over land, from some post high north on the continent of America, the
expense must be still less.
FOOTNOTE:
[47] _From a London paper, under the head of_
"RUSSIAN DISCOVERIES.――In the year 1820, a journey of discovery, by
land, was ordered by the government, to explore the extreme north
and north-east of Asia.――Lieutenants Wrangle and Anjou, of the navy,
were chosen for this expedition. After having made the necessary
preparations, they departed from Neukolyma, in the north-eastern
part of Siberia, on the 19th of Feb. 1821, in sledges drawn by dogs,
when the cold was thirty-two degrees Reaumur, in order to ascertain
the position of Schehaladshoi-Noss, which captain Burney conjectured
might be an isthmus, joining Asia with the continent of America. The
travellers succeeded in determining the whole coast astronomically,
going themselves entirely round the coast, and proceeding a day's
journey farther to the west; thus convincing themselves that Asia and
America are not united there by an isthmus. On the 13th of March, the
expedition returned to Neukolyma. On the 22d of March, Mr. Wrangle
undertook another journey, likewise on sledges drawn by dogs, with ten
companions, in the direction to the North Pole, in order to look for
the great continent which is supposed to exist there. The principal
obstacle they met with, was thin ice, which being broken to pieces
by continued storms, was piled up in mountains, and rendered farther
progress impossible. At a bear hunt, which the company undertook, they
observed a sudden bursting of the ice, accompanied with a dreadful
noise resembling thunder. On their journey back, which the travellers
were obliged to make without accomplishing their object, they surveyed
the bear islands, and after an absence of thirty-eight days, arrived
safely at Neukolyma on the 28th April, where they are to remain for the
year 1822, and then to continue their researches."