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-.«!"■■

'^.-

^ THE

POSSIBILITY

«p

APPROACHING THE NORTH POLE

ASSERTED.

t BY

?«•

THE HOX. B^'MRRIJ^GTOX.

A NEW EDITION.

WITH

AN APPENDIX,

CONTAINING

PAPERS ON THE SAME SUBJECT,

C0L03^Eh BEAUFOr, F.B,S.

ILLUSTRATED WITH A MAP OF THE NORTH POLE, ACCORDING
TO THE LATEST DISCOVERIES.

jj^eto-'JIatli:

PUBLISHED BY JAMES EASTBVRN ic CO.
AT THE LITERARY ROOMS, BROADWAY, CORNER OF FINE-STREET..

V^t,

ABRAHAM PAUL, PRINTIR.

1818.

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XHE interesting nature of the sml^et to which the
fpUowiog Paperis relate, would, at any time, justify
their republication; hut fit the present moqnent they
derive an additional value trcmi the eKpeditioii which
19 mow preparing to ei^plore the Arctic I^egions.
Whether the ei^tended boundaries of geographical
8cieoce» tided by the local inforniation which it is
aaid hai9 been c(»nmunicated by those who are em-
ployed in the Crreenland Fisheries, will secure the
success of this enterprise, it is impossible to antici-
pate; but; as Englishmen, we must naturally wish;
tbai diseoveries, which were first attempted by the
lidventurous spirit and maritime skill of our country-
nieQ, should be finally achieved by the same means.

As early as the year 1527, the idea of a passage •to
Ihe jB^st Indies by the North Pole was suggested by
a Bristol Merchant to Henry VIII; but no voyage
seen^i to have been undertaken for the purpose of

PRGFAClS.

navigating the Circumpolar Seas till the commence-
ment of the following century, when, in 1607, an ex-
pedition was fitted out, at the expense of certain Mer-
chants of London. To this attempt several others
succeeded at different periods, and all of them were
projected and carried into execution hy private indi-
viduals. The adventurers did not indeed accomplish
the object they exclusively sought, that of reaching
India by a nearer route than doubling the Cape of
Good Hope ; but though they failed in that respect,
the fortitude, perseverance, and skill which they mani-
fested, exhibited the most irrefragable proofs of the
early existence of that superiority in naval afiairs,
which has progressively elevated this country to her
present eminence among the nations of Europe. - > > ' ^
'' At length, after the lapse of above a century and a
half, this interesting question became an object of
royal patronage, and the expedition which was com-
manded by Captain Phipps, afterward Lord Mul-
grave, in 1773, was fitted out at the charge of Go-
vernment. It will add to the value of the following
pages when it is known, that the author of them was
*he first proposer of this memorable voyage ; and that
in*consequence of his representations, as to the prac-
ticability of circumnavigating the Pole, the Royal So-
ciety made their application to Lord Sandwich, then
at the head of the Admiralty, which led to the

appomti
p'»gion8.

Thouj
traf e the
twenty d
the opin
of proce
remained
therefore
with the
rials he i
of writte
afterwart
be denie
is at leaE
value wl
so acute

The
mitted
ing, as
subject
of that
reachini
winter,
drawn
ous quel

PRRfACE.

ommence-

07, an ex-

rtain Mer-

ral others

them were

rivate indi-

Eiccomplish

)f reaching

le Cape of

lat respect,

I they mani-

oofs of the

ival affairs,

ntry to her

rope.

»ntury and a
n object of
;h was corn-
Lord Mul-
irge of Go-
\e following
>f them was
;e ; and that
to the prac-
le Royal So-
dwich, then
led to the

appomtment of the expedition for exploring those

Though Captain Phipps found it impossible to pene-
trate the wall of ice, which extended for more than
twenty degrees between the latitudes of 80** and 81^
the opinions of Mr. Barrington upon the possibility
of proceeding farther, under different circumstances,
remained unshaken. With indefatigable assiduity
therefore he began to collect every fact connected
with the subject ; and as he accumulated liis mate-
rials he read them to the Royal Society. This mass
of written, traditionary, and conjectural evidence, he
afterward published, in the year 1775; and it cannot
be denied that its republication at the present moment
is at least appropriate, independently of the Intrinsic
value which must always attach to the researches of
so acute and ardent an inquirer. it^> -ra^^ ~^».n

The Publishers, however, are happy in being per-
mitted to add to the value of these Tracts, by subjoin-
ing, as an Appendix, some Papers upon the same
subject by Colonel Beaufoy, F. R. S. The attention
of that gentleman was turned to the practicability of
reaching the North Pole, from Spitzbergen, during
winter, by travelling over the ice and snow in sledges
drawn by rein deer. He therefore transmitted vari-
ous queries, to which he received answers from Rus-

rRKVACV.

■iani who bad wintered in those remote islands. The
information thus elicited is exceedingly curious, and
much of it may be most advantageously employed by
those who are about to brave the dangers and incle-
mencies of that dreary climate. .1

In order to render the present volume as complete
AS possible, an entirely new Map of the North Pole
is prefixed, drawn from the best authorities, and with
the Pole in the centre, so as to exhibit the utmost de-
gree of latitude which has hitherto been approached.
Under all these circumstances, it is hoped (he Woric
will find a fitvourable reception. Its claims, indeed,
are of no dubious nature ; for it b the production of
persons eminent for their scientific attainments. Sub-
sequent discoveries can alone impair its value. Till
^e ardour of well-directed enterprise shall disclose
what yet remains unexplored, the exposition i>f our
actual knowledge, and the speculative deductions of
enlightened theory, cannot be unacceptable to the
lovers of geographical research.

•J >

March 1, 181«.

UT'W

THEfc
near api
as likewj
and Pac
first publ
I now
they con
reaching
be fount
geograp
indeed,
anewerc
sage (e^
in seas
packing
Resolut
voyage,
Passage

uidfl. The
uriouB, «nd
nployed bj
and incle-

as complete
North Pole
es, and with
i utmost de-
ipproached.
d the Work
mi, indeed)
eduction of
lents. Sul>-
value. Till
hall disclose
ution of oar
eductions of
table to the

h • i ■'■' J.

PREFACE

THE FOLJLR TRACTS.

• ■>■■ ..

t • n'

BTTHB

HONOURABLE DAIMES BAREIMOTON.

;« :.ii>

'5f.

ii ^-t' 9 i-i"i I A,,

XHE following Tracts, relative to the possibility of
near approaches to the Pole of our own hemisphere,
as likewise of a communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans in any Northern direction, were
first published in 1775 and 1776*

I now think it right again to print them, because
they contain many well attested facts with regard to
reaching high NorUiem Latitudes, which are not to
be found elsewhere, and have a tendency to promote
geographical discoveries. I am very ready to admit,
indeed, that the purposes of commerce can never be
answered by the great uncertainty of a constant pas-
sage (even when such communication is discovered)
in seas which are so frequently obstructed by the ice
packing in vast fields. I find likewise, that since the
Resolution and Endeavour returned from their last
voyage, many conceive a North East or North West
Passage to be impracticable, because our ships, in

f.'Vi-Mrt*/;'''

TUl

PREFACE TO TH£

'^ /«»V

two successive years, were not able to penetrate be-
yond 71% by impediments of ice. Besides, however,
that the ice packing in particular situations varies
often in different years, both these attempts were
made in the month of August, which I flatter myself to
have proved, is the very season of the year when the
ice, breaking up on the coast, is floating in every
direction, and consequently often packs in masses
of an immense extent.

These vast fields of ice, indeed, often are dispersed;
but who hath, or indeed should have, the fortitude of
waiting for this accident, whilst he is already in a high
Northern Latitude, and the winter is fast approach-
ing? If the ice, however, should thus pack in April
or May, (which I conceive it would not, as little must
be left to float from the preceding summer,) yet as the
warm weather is then increasing from day to day, the
navigator would wait with some degree of patience
till his ship may be released from this temporary ob-
struction. The situation of the discoverer, under
these circumstances, may be compared to a traveller
passing over a large tract of sea sand, when the tide
is flowing or ebbing. In the first instance he spurs
his horse, because the sea may be expected at his
heels ; in the latter he proceeds with great compo-
sure, as every instant he loses in point of time the sea
is farther removed. " • >- '

Others again have despaired of a Northwest Pas-
sage, from Captain Pickersgill not having succeed-
ed in his attempt for this purpose during the year
1776.*

' * In the Lion armed brig.

POLAR TRACTS.

#-■

lenetrate be-
es, however,
itions varies
tempts were
tter myself to
ear when the
ing in every
Ls in masses

re dispersed;
e fortitude of
>ady in a high
ist approach-
pack in April
as little must
;r,) yet as the
y to day, the
3 of patience
emporary ob-
(verer, under
to a traveller
vhen the tide
nee he spurs
:pected at his
great compo-
f time the sea

orthwest Pas-
ring succeed-
ring the year

This voyage was intended for two purposes (at
least as I have been informed ;) the first to protect
some of our whale fishers on the coast of West Green-
land from the Americans then in rebellion ; and the
second (if the time after this service permitted) to
join Captain Cook, should he have been so fortunate
as to have accomplished his passage fi:om the Pacific
Ocean, when he would probably have returned to
England by Davis's Straits.

This plan seems to have been very well laid, bui
that persevering navigator was delayed at the Cape
by Captain Clark's ship not arriving till a considera-
ble time time after his own reaching that place of renr
dezvous, and in the farther progress of his voyage by
adverse winds, which drove him to the Friehdly Isl-
ands instead of Otaheite, so that he did not make his
attempt of a passage till 1777.

Captain Pickersgill did not leave Scilly till the 10th
of June, 1776, and consequently, whatever obstruc-
tions he met with from floating or packing ice, might
be reasonably expected when he reached the coast of
West Greenland. It appears, however, by what I
shall copy from the conclusion of his Journal on the
31st of August, that he did not find these to be consi-
derable, and that after the trial his hopes of a pas-
sage were very sanguine.

^' I shall conclude with a few observation? on this
part of the world, (sc. Greenland) and so terribly re-
presented by people, who, in order to raise their own
merit, make dangers and difficulties of common occur-
rences, merely because the places arie unknown, and
there is little or no prol^ability of their being ever

^ • 2-

•*^

t ^^

.*:*

># *

at''* ' "^ '^f. FREPACETOTHE

•

contradicted. I do not mean this as a personal reflec-
tion ; but having discoursed with many of the masters
f:! of Greenland vessels, as well as their employers, and
' heard such dreadful stories of those countries, I can-

not help remarking it as tending to mislead those who,
from a laudable principle, would be benefactors to
their country, but are deterred from it by these mis-
representations. I shall communicate observations on
the ice, the atmosphere, the land of Forbisher, and
the probability of a JVorthwest Passage, in a short time*^*

This, however, hath unfortunately been prevented
by Captain Pickersgill's death; but the Astronomer
^ Royal, who communicated Captain PickersgilPs Jour-
nal to the Royal Society, hath informed me by letter,
*«That he had often heard this navigator express
himself as well assured of a Northwest Passage;
adding, that he received accounts of it from the
. inhabitants on the side of Davis^s Straits, and that it
■' was directly Northwest, very difierent from Baffin^s
^ track.

W * "' ^^P^^!" Pickersgill likewise thought, that the best
m ' method to find the passage was to get out early, before the
ice broke away in the upper part of Davis* s Straits."
' It thus appears, that the last attempts of a North-
west Passage ended with the officer's employed
thereon being thoroughly persuaded, that it was not
only practicable, but highly probable. ^

As the late geographical discoveries have ^ven
such general satisfaction, I have little doubt but that
they will be farther prosecuted when a peace takes

* Phil. Trans, for 1

74^pa||ii.

p. 10i53.

'41

.■r-.;^,.

onal reflec-
|f the masten
plojers, and
ntries, I can-

those who,

nefactors to

by these mis-

servations on

lorbisher, and

short time.^*

sen prevented

) Astronomer

ersgilPs Jour-

me by letter,

rator express

est Passage;

r it from the

ts, and that it

from Baffin^s

lit, that the best
arlifi before the
Straits:^
ts of aNorth-
r's employed
bat it was not

!s have given
oubt but that
Bi peace takes

Oft3. ' -^w.' .

^10

POLAR TKACT8.

■0

place, and shall therefore here venture to throw out
my poor thoughts with regard to the yet remaining
desiderata for the more perfect knowledge of the
planet which we inhabit. When we are informed by
proper trials, that the attempt in any particular direc*
tion cannot succeed, we shall then be as much at rest
as with regard to Lunar oceans or continents, if such
there be.

I have mentioned in the following Tracts, that the
Parliamentary rewards given for approaching within
one degree of the North Pole are not likely to pro-
duce the effects intended, because the Greenland
whale ships are all ensured ; if they were therefore to
go beyond the common fishing latitudes, it would be
such a departure from the voyage ensured, that they
would not be able to recover, if accidents happened
in such a deviation, j

I am informed, however, that there are some vessels
employed in time of peace by government, to prevent
smuggling on the Northern Coast of Scotland. These
ships might be instructed, when a promising wind
blows from the Southward, to proceed as far North
as the ice will permit. The crew of such a ship would
be encouraged by expectations of the Parl^ainentary
reward ; and though one attempt might fail^ another
might succeed. The expense to the public v/ould be
trifling, whilst the smugglers would not know how
soon the ship might return to its station.

Our Commodore upon the Newfoundland station
might also send a vessel at a small expense, to explore
all the Northern part of Hudson's Bay, with which w«
are so imperfectly acquainted at present.

* >

%".

'?Wi

* .*.

,.^

J V V

■•

I.*

'*%

■i.-;

Xll

if* .*

fREFACE TO THE

Such attempts during peace might take place al-
most every summer; and I should suppose that this
scientific and opulent nation would never hesitate
% * (whilst there is the least dawning of hopes) to send
proper vessels occasionally to make farther trials
both of a Northwest Passage by Baffin's Bay, and a
Northeast beyond Nova Zembla. ' ;>-.. ■!-«*,

* The coasi. of Corea, the Northern part of Japan,

and the Lequieux Islands, should also be explored ;
the cheapest, and perhaps the best, method of doing
this, would be to employ a vessel in the India Com-
pany's service, which might be victualled at Canton.
4 Thus much with regard to discoveries, or better

^owledge of the more unfrequented parts of the
"Northern Hemisphere.

The desiderata in that of the South seem to be the
» following: —

To make the complete circumnavigation of New
Holland, so as at least to be better acquainted with
some parts of the coast of this immense island , a ves-
sel for this purpose might be victualled at the Cape
of Good Hope, or Canton : nor is the voyage a dis-
tant one, when compared with those of Captain Cook.
New Guinea also should be better explored, .•'^p.. >v

We scarcely know more of the islands of Tristan
da Cunha than their Longitude and Latitude; but
their interior parts should be examined. Not vastly
distant is Sandwich Land, which many on board Cap-
tain Cook supposed to be a vast continent. It may
be objected, indeed, that if it is so, it will turn out to
be a continent of ice and snow ; 1 am not here, how-
ever, recommending discoveries for the purpose of

>*. ■?:.

L ''j9r

^■'^

1 JH

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" -ii-?'^^5i^ii>*** - .'

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POLAR TRACTS. Xui

' ' ■; .■ - . ■"■;• ' V

commerce, but for the improvement of geogra-
phy.

I should conceive, that a voyage either from the
Cape or Brazil would easily give opportunity of efiec-
tuating both these purposes.

Perhaps, whilst discoveries by sea are thus dwelt
upon, encouragement should be given to travellers by
land, forprocuring better information with regard to the
central parts of Asia, Africa, and America. In short,
let us endeavour to know as much as we may of our
globe ; nor should this be considered as a vain and
trifling curiosity, though no benefits to commerce may
result from these inquiries.

m to be the

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INSTANCES OF NAVIOATOBS

WHO BATt KBACUD

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'ji

HIGH NORTHERN LATITUDES.

Read at a Meeting of the Royal Society,
MAY 19, 1774.

-^♦'

*<'^ if.

■ \ -4

As I was the unworthy proposer of the Voyage to-
wards the North Pole, which the Council of the Royal
Society recommended to the Board of Admiralty, I
think it my duty to lay before the Society such intel-
ligence as I have happened to procure with regard to
navigators having reached high Northern Latitudes ;*
because some of these accounts seem to promise, that
we may proceed farther towards the Pole than the
very able Officers, whp were sent on this destination
last year, were permitted to penetrate, notwithstand-
ing their repeated efibrts to pass beyond eighty de-
grees and a half.

* It is well known tbat (here are many such accoaots in print,
but to these I need not refer the Society.

- » ■ >

■ I *

'■%

f
4

It' f

\'l

M-m

m. ' '

ON APPROACHINCJ

I shall begin, however, by making an observation
; or two with regard to the Greenland Fishery, which
will in a great measure account for our not being able
to procure many instances of nearer approaches to
^. the Pole than the Northern parts of Spitzbergen.
'"■ Fifty years ago, such apprehensions were enter-

tained of navigating even in the loose, or what is
called sailing ice^ that the crews commonly continued
. on shore,* from whence they only pursued the whales
' in boats.

The demand, however, for oil increasing, whilst
the number offish rather decreased, they were obliged
1** * ' to proceed to sea in quest of them^ and now, by expe-

rience and adroitness, seldom suffer from the obstruc-
tions of ice/|*

The masters of ships, who are employed in this
trade, have no other object but catching whales,
which, as long as they can procure in more Southern
Latitudes, they certainly will not go in search of at
a greater distance from the port to which they are to
;^ return : they, therefore, seldom proceed much beyond
eighty degrees North Latitude, unless driven by a
strong Southerly wind or other accident.

Whenever this happens, also, it is only by very
• diligent inquiries that any information can be procur-
ed ; for the masters, not being commonly men of sci-

' * There were houses still standing on Spitzbergen, where the
Dutch used to boil their train oil. — Marten's Voyage, p. 24. See
•« \ also Callander, vol. iii. p. 723. -,; t'^

t These particulars I received from Captain Robinson, whom I
shall have hereafter occasion to mention. > '.

■y-%^.

t'H

,&':

"i"**ii*«^.

observation
tiery, which
it being able
proaches to
sbergen.
were enter-
, or what is
ily continued
d ^he whales

asing, whilst
were obliged
low, by expe-
1 the obstruc-

ioyed in this
hing whales,
ore Southern
search of at
:h they are to
much beyond
driven by a
t.

only by very
an be procur-
ly men of sci-

irgen, where the
age, p. 24. See

.obiDSon, whom I

> . ■ '■ t-- -1^ • • ■;*

THE NORTH POLE.

ence, or troubling their heads about the improvement
of geographical knowledge, never mention these cir-
cumstances on their return, because they conceive
that no one is more interested about these matters
than they are themselves. Many of the Greenland
masters are likewise directed to return after the early
fishery is over, provided they have tolerable success ;
so that they have no opportunity of making disco-
veries to the Northward.

To these reasons it may be added, that no ships
were perhaps ever sent before last summer with ex-
press instructions to reach the Pole, if possible, as
most other attempts have been to discover a North-
east or Northwest Passage, which were soon defeat-
ed by falling in with land, or other accident.

Having thus endeavoured to show that the instan-
ces of ships reaching high Northern latitudes must
necessarily be rare, 1 shall now proceed to lay before
the Society such as I have been able to hear of since
the voyage towards the North Pole was undertaken
during last summer.

When this was determined upon, and mentioned in
the newspapers, it became matter of conversation
amongst the crews of the guard-ships ; and Andrew
Leekie, an intelligent seaman on board the Albion
(then stationed at Plymouth,) informed some of the
officers that he had been &s far North as 84?".

When he was asked farther on this head, he said
that he was on board the Reading, Captain Thomas
Robinson, in 1766, and that, whilst he was shaving
the Captain, Mr. Robinson told him, that he had
probably never been so far to the Northward before.

4>r

!■' 5v

M-^n

^Uk^'

«.'

UN APPROACHING

■«r-

as they had now reached the above-mentioned degree
of latitude.

Having happened to hear this account of Lcekie*s,
on ray return to London this winter, I found out Cap-
tain Robinson, who remembered his having had this
conversation with Leekie ; but said, that ho was mis-
taken in supposing that they had reached 04^" North
latitude, as they were only in 82i*.

Captain Robinson then explained himself, that he
had at this time computed his latitude by the run
back to Hakluyt's Headland in twenty-four hours j
from which, and other circumstances mentioned in
iny presence before two sea-officers, they told me
afterward, that they had little or no doubt of the
accuracy of his reckoning. Mr. Robinson likewise
remembers that the sea was then open, so that he hath
no doubt of being able to reach 83% but how much
farther he will not pretend to say, t

This same Captain, in the ship St. George, was, on
the |5th of June, 1773, ip North latitude 81' 16', by
a very accurate observation with an approved Had-<
ley*s quadrant, in which he also made the proper
allowance for the refraction in high Northern lati-*
tudes ; at which time seeing some whales spouting to
the Northward, he pursued them for five hours, so
that he must have reached 811, when the sea was
open to the Westward and East Northeast as far
as he could distinguish from the mast-head. His
longitude was then 3" East firom the meridian of
iLondon.

Captain Robinson is a very intelligent seaman, and
hath navigated the Greenland Sea§ these twentyyeayg,

* He
Dock,
Greenlan
tilde 81*
that evid

t See]
A. D. 1(
sumtnerJ

They]
Februar
light of I
Ibid.

' M

■>;*ttsi»^l

'tHS, NORTH Pott,

If, that he
by the run
four hours;
entioned in
ey told me «
»ubt of the
on likewise
that he hath
t how much

)rge, was, on
3 81M6', by
proved Had-'
5 the proper
orthern lati-
:s spouting to
ive hours, so

the sea was
theast as far
»t-head. His

meridian of

•V^ W ' ■
seaman, and

I twentyyearg^

except during the interval that he was employed by
the Hudson^s Bay Company*

I could add some other, perhaps interesting, parti'>
culars, which I have I'eceived from Captain Robin*
son, with regard to Spitzbergen and the Polar Seas ;
I will only mention, however, that he thinks he could
spend a winter not uncomfortably in the most North-
em parts we are acquainted with,t as there are threci
or four small settlements of Russians in this country,
for the sake of the skins of quadrupeds, which are
then more valuable than if the animal is taken in
summer. " !. ■:* ^

■'■ The next instance I shall mention of a navigator,
who hath proceeded far Northward, is that of Captain
Cheyne, who gave answers to certain queries dranhi
up by Mr. Dalrymple, F.R.S. in relation to the Polar
Seas, and which were communicated kst year to the
Society.

Captain Cheyne states, in this paper, diathehath
been as far as North latitude 82** ; but does not spe-
cify whether by observation or his reckoning, though

* He lived during this winter in Queen-street, near Greenland
Dock, Rotherhithe ; he hath sailed, probably, by this time on the
Greenland Fishery. With regard to his having been in>North lati-
tude 81° 30', in June, 1773, he can prove it by his Journal, if
that evidence should be required.

t See the Narrative of eight sailors, who wintered in Greenland
A. D. 1630, and who all returned in health to England the ensuing
summer. — Churchill's Voyage, vol. iv. p. 811.

They did not see the sun from the 14th of October till the Sd of
February. By the last day of January, however, they had day-
light of eight hours. They wintered in North latitude 77 — 4o.'~-

•>*•'

..-»,.*-*iita*'£^:

M:,.^r

ijijfS--^'s..-

•N ArPnOACHlNO

irom many other anawers to the iiiterrogatoriei pro-
posed, it should seem that he speaks of the latitude
by observation. Unfortunately Captain Cheyne ia at
present on the coast of Africa, so that farther infor-
mation on this head cannot be now procured from
him.

Whilst the ships destined for the North Pole were
preparing, a most ingenious and able Sea-Officer,
Lieutenant John Cartwright, told me, that twelve
years ago he had been informed of a very remark-
able voyage made by Captain Mac-Callam as far
nearly as 84° North latitude.

This account Mr. Cartwright had received from a
brother Officer, Mr. James Watt, now a Master and
Commander in the Royal Navy, who waa on board
Captain Mac-Callam's ship. . t ..^^, ,

I thought it my duty to acquaint the Admiralty with
this intelligence, who would have sent for Mr. Watt,
lt>ut he yyaa then employed on the coast of America.

On his return from thence, within the last month,
Mr. Cartwright introduced a conversation with regard
to Captain Mac-Callam's voyage, when Mr. Watt re-
peated all the circumstances which he had mentioned
to him twelve years ago ; after which Mr. Cartwright,
thinking that I should be glad to hear the particulars
from Mr. Watt himself, was so good as to bring him
to my chambers, when I received from him the fol-
lowing information.

In the year 1751 Mr. Watt, then not quite seventeen
years of age, went on board the Campbeltown of
Campbeltown, Captain Mac-Callam, which ship was
at that time employed in the Greenland Fishery.

It seei
suppose
vessels ^
Capta
able an<]
the Norl
the 8eas(
trating fs
fore the 1
ceeded v
sea was
had not i
and the i
short. Ml
sant navij
It need
83i'was(
jectofthi
^ therefore
I cd the la(
Hadley's
^ departure
"^Headlanc
When
3 em latitu
■I was not s
ed from
ing that
blamed b
tainly by
^against tf]

•— tJr;:.:;-.^***^-

TKS irORTH POLE.

ones pro-
\e latitude
eyne ia at
•ther infor-
:ured from

Pole were
)ea-Officer,
hat twelve
fry remark-
ilam as far

Ived from a
Master and
dA on board

miralty with
^r Mr. Watt,
America,
last month,
with regard
At. Watt re-
d mentioned
Cartwright,
; particulars
to bring him
him the fol-

te seventeen
pbeltown of
ich ship was
i'ishery.

It seems, that, during the time the whales are
supposed to copulate, the crews of the Greenland
vessels commonly amuse themselves on shore.

Captain Mac-Callam, however, (who was a very
able and scientific seaman,) thought that a voyage to
the North Pole would be more interesting ; and that,
the season being a fine one, he had a chance of pene-
% trating far to the Northward, as well as returning be-
fore the later fishery took place. He accordingly pro-
ceeded without the least obstruction to 83i% when the
sea was not only open to the Northward, but they
had not seen a speck of ice for the last three degrees,
and the weather at the same *ime was temperate ; in
short, Mr. Watt hath never experienced a more plea-
sant navigation.

It need be scarcely observed, that the latitude of
83^** was determined by observation, as the great ob-
ject of the voyage was to reach the Pole ; the Captain,
therefore, the Mate, and young Mr. Watt, determin-
ed the latitude from time to time, both by Da;vis and
'Hadley's quadrants: to this I may add, that their
) departure and return were from and to Hakluyt'g
' Headland.

When they were advancing into these high North-
f em latitudes, the Mate complained that the compass
I was not steady, on which Captain Mac-Callam desist-
;|cd from his attempt, though with reluctance; know-
ling that if any accident happened, he should be
'blamed by his owners, who would be reminded cer-
tainly by the Mate of the protests he had made
:|against the ship's proceeding farther Northward, v

'i&l,.-

:^"

*^'-

ON APPROACHING

Several of the crew, however, were for prosecuting
their discoveries, and Mr. Watt particularly remem-
bers the chagrin which was expressed by a very
intelligent seaman, whose name was John Kelly;
Captain Mac-Callam, also, after his return from that
voyage, hath frequently said, in the presence of Mr.
Watt and others, that, if the Mate had not been faint-
hearted, the ship possibly might have reached the
Pole.

Both Captain Mac-Callam and the Mate are now
dead, and it is rather doubtful whether the ship^s
Journal can be procured. -'f***^ ^^^ ^*^'

It remains therefore to be considered what may be
objected to the credibility of this very interesting

account. . _.. , .i^T'>i»T>;i^.??u-rv .

I have stated, that Mr. Watt was not, at the time
this voyage took place, quite seventeen years of age :
but I have also stated, that he observed himself (as
well as the Master and Mate) from time to time. Is
it therefore more extraordinary he should remember
with accuracy, that, two and twenty years ago, he
had been in North latitude 831% than that, at the same
distance of time, he might recollect that he had been
at a friend's house, which was situate eighty-threr
miles and a half from London ? Or rather, indeed, is
not his memory, with regard to this high latitude,
much more to bt depended upon, as the circumstance
is so much more interesting, especially as Mr. Watt
was even then of a scientific turn ?

To this I may add, that it being his first voyage,
and so remarkable an one, Mr. Watt now declares

upon.

IfM
this obj
lam's fr
of the
have re
conceiF
have be
But i
took pla
fore, at
can be r
It is ti
tempt ir
the folio
traversii
^ the rec<
precedii
farther
This,
already

-««.

■■■"•^'t-.

■0-

THIS NORTH POLE.

prosecuting
arly remem-
by a very
ohn Kelly;
irn from that
sence of Mr.
ot been faint-
reached the

late iire now
er the ship's

what may be
ry interesting

>t, at the time
years of age;
ed himself (as
ne to time. Is
mid remember
years a^o, he
hat, at the same
lat he had been
te eighty-three
ither, indeed, is
9 high latitude,
le circumstance
lly as Mr. Watt

his first voyage,
,tt now declares

<•'?

that he remembers more particulars relative to it,
than perhaps in any other since that time : other sea-
officers have likewise told me, that the circumstances
of their first voyages are most fresh in their memory,
the reason for which is too obvious to be dwelt
upon.

If Mr. Watt's recollection however is distrusted,
this objection extends equally to Captain Mac-Cal-
lam's frequent declarations, that, if the apprehensions
of the Mate had not prevented, he might possibly
have reached the North Pole : and how could he have
conceived this, unless he had imagined himself to
have been in a very high Northern latitude ? : -^

But it may be possibly said, that this voyage
took place above twenty years since, and that there-
fore, at such a distance of time, no one's memory
can be relied upon.

It is true indeed, that Mac-Callam made this at-
tempt in 1751 ; but Mr. Watt continued his services
the following year in a Greenland ship, and therefore,
traversing nearly the same seas, must have renewed
the recollection of what he had experienced in the
preceding voyage, though he did not then proceed
farther than North latitude 80^

This, however, brings it only to 1752; but I have
already stated, that within these twelve years he
mentioned all the particulars above related to his
brother-ofiicer. Lieutenant Cartwright.

Mr. Watt also frequently conversed with Captain
Mac-Callam about this voyage after both of them had
quitted the Greenland ships ; Mr. Watt rising regu-
larly to be a Master and Commander in His Majesty's

-f

^fr

ON AI^KOACHING

i '■

< ■

service^ and Captain Mac-Callam becoming Purser
of the Tweed Man of War.

It so happened, that in the year of the expedition
against Bellisle, Mr. Watt, Captain Mac-Callam, and
Mr. Walker (comitaonljr called Commodore Walker,
from his having commanded the koyal Family pri-
Tateers in the late war,) met together at Portsmouth,
when they talked over the circumstances of this
^^ ;. Greenland voyage, which Mr. Walker was interested
in, by having been the principal owner of the Camp-
beltown.

Mr. Watt and Captain Mac-Callam met also eleven
years ago in London, when they as usual conversed
about the having reached so high a Northern lati-
tude.

1 now come to my last proof, which I received from
the late Dr. Campbell, the able continuator and revi-
ser of Harris's Collection of Voyages.

In that very valuable compilation, Commodore
Roggewein's circumnavigation makes a most material
addition, some of the most interesting particulars of
which were communicated by Dr. Dallie, who was a
native of Holland,* and lived in Racquet Court, Fleet
Street, about the year 1745, where he practised
physic.

Dr. Campbell went to thank Dallie for the having
furnished him with Roggewein's Voyage, when Dallie
said, that he had been farther both to the Southward
and to the Northward than perhaps any other person
who ever existed. --^ '' r ^ : ^ ^^

* He was a grandson of Dallie, who was author of a book, much

•stecmcd by the Divines, entitled "/5c Urn Pat

rum.

\:^-^\^i}"'

Puwer

pedition
am, and
Walker,
nily pri-
tsmouth,
of this
terested
eCamp-

o eleven
mversed
em lati-

red from
^d revi-

imodore
material
lulars of
10 was a
pt, Fleet
ractised

having
n Dallie
ithward

person

ok, much

^■~ ^M

. 1^

TB MOKm POLE.

~ fie then explained himself as to the haying Iksen
in high Southern latitudes, bj sailing in Roggewein^s
fleet;* and as to his having been &r to the North-
ward, he gave the following account:—

Between fif^ and sixty years ago it was usual to
send a Dutch ship of war to superintend the Green-
land fishery, though it is not known whether this
continues to be a regulation at present

Dr. Dallie (then young) was on board the Dutch
vessel employed on this service ;t and, during the
interval between the two fisheries, the Captain deter-
mined, like Mr. Mac-Callam, to try whether he could
not reach the Pole; and accordingly penetrated (to the
best of Dr. Campbell's recollection) as far as North
latitude 88°, when the weather was warm, the sea
perfectly free from ice, and rolling like the Bay of
Biscay. DaUie now pressed the Captain to proceed ;
but he answered, that he had already gone too far
by having neglected his station, for which he should
be blamed in Holland : on which account, also, he
would suffer no Journal to be made, but returned a9
speedily as he could to Spitzbergen.

There are undoubtedly two objections, which may
be made to this account of Dr. Dallie's, which are,
that it depends not only upon his own memory, but
that of Dr. Campbell, as no Journal can be produced,
for the reason which I have before stated.

* Roggewein reached South latitude 62° 3(f. — See Harris.

1 Dr. Campbell does not recollect in what capacity he served :
but, as he afterward practised physic, he might probably hav«
been the; surfeon.

'*' «

' ,?^>

^•

"i^i

l»

_^,_ HIII.IIIIHI I I -,

■•■' ji«»fiMr-T'*»"wk*t.ttjttt;. -

V - ffV. ■

ON APrROACHINO

[^l:

The conversation, however, between Dr. Campbell
and Dallie, arose from the accidental mention of
Roggewein^s voyage to the Southward; and can it
be supposed that Dallie invented this circumstantial
narrative on the spot, without having actually been in
f> a high Northern latitude ?

If this be admitted to have been improbable, was
he not likely to have remembered with accuracy
what he was so much interested about, as to have
pressed the Dutch Captain to have proceeded to the
Pole?

* But it may be said, also, that we have not this
account from Dallie himself, but at second-hand from
Dr. Campbell, at the distance of thirty years from
the conversation.

1 To this it may be answered, that Dr. Campbell's
memory was most remarkably tenacious, as is well
known to all those who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance ; and, as he hath written so ably for the
promotion of geographical discoveries in all parts oi
the globe, such an account could not but make a
strong impression upon him, especially as he received
it just after the first edition of his compilation of
voyages.

No one easily forgets what is highly interesting to
him ; and, though I do not pretend to have so good a
memory as Dr. Campbell, I have scarcely a doubt,
but that, if I should live thirty years longer, and
retain my faculties, I shall recollect with precision
^ every latitude which I have already stated in this
Paper. "'

■'■%i**,r' ;'_

*'>fm*m-jmm

ampbell
ntion of
can it
istantial
been in

>le, was

ccuracy

to have

d to the

not this
Lndfrom
JTs from

npbell*s
is well
of his
' for the
parts of
make a
eceived
ition of

»ting to
good a
doubt,
ir, and
ecision .*
in this

THE NORTH POLE.

*■•

What credit, however, is to be given to all thisse
narratives is entirely submitted to the Society, as I
have stated them most fully, with every circumstance
which may invalidate, as well as support them ; and,
if I have endeavoured to corroborate them by the
observations which I have made, it is only because !
believe them.

It should seem upon the whole of the inquiries on
this point, that it is very uncertain when ships may
proceed far to the Northward of Spitzbergen ; and
that it depends, not only upon the season, but other
accidents, when the Polar Seas may be so free from
ice as to permit attempts to make discoveries.*

Possibly, therefore, if a King's officer was sent
from year to year on board one of the Greenland
ships, the lucky opportunity might be seized, and the
Navy Board might pay for the use of the vessel, if it
was taken from the whale fishery, in order to pro-
ceed as far as may be towards the North Pole.

* Captain Robinson hath infonned me, that at the latter end of
last April a Whitby Ship was in North latitude 80**, without having
been materially obstructed by the ice. Captain Marshall was also
oS Hakluyt's Headland so early as the 25th April, without ohserr-
ing much ice.

, > • K

* '''-*' . .■ **»

.*;- .*:' .IV-;'^- />'.(•..■' fU, I-

:^'

S-

?Ps

.J.VJi, -...',

"%.

S* *.;

■^

*«

-JS!

'iH

-■; ■'■ *'

-r*.

■^ ■

-,.*,

^ M<%^

■■t '"w- ^i^

m*.t' :^-''

'; ■>

^( ^'<

"-#■

■Mf

-^'-^

i^J

i*f'

•s

ADDITIONAL PROOFS, ISjc.

■>;-,''<-'^'i«i7

■'■^•■•■■.■.■*wti

•-■ii

■ .■■■fk

?(?:• -^^ ^^iii

■livv'-"^^'

' '• 4

^v-%

■ :^^

Read at a Meetii^ of Ae Royd Society.
DEC. Sf. 1774.

AjB I happened to have collected many additional
facts since my paper, containing Instances of Naviga-
tors who had reached high Northern latitudes, was
read hefore the Society in May last, I shall take the
liberty to state them according to chronolo^cal
order; t<^ether with some general reasons why it
may be presumed, that the Polar Seas are, at least
sometimes, navigable.

I think it my duty to do this, not only because I
was the unworthy proposer of the Pdlar voyage in
1773, which was recommended by the Council of the
Royal Society to the Board of Admiralty ; but be-
cause it would not redound much to the credit of the
Sofiiiity, if they planned a voyage to reach the North
Pole, if possible, when a perpetual barrier of ice
prevented any discoveries in the Spitzbei^en seas to
the Northward jf 80^% which is not a degree beyond
the most common station of the Greenland fishers, -^"■

I must here, however, repeat, that no one is more
entirely satisfied than myself of the great abilities,
perseverance, and intrepidity, with which the offi-

■^-.

. /

^■i*

t
^% if*

■ -ti-"^:

#»

UN APPROACHING

%-^ ,„

cers, who were sent on this destinatioHf attempted to
prosecute their discoveries ; but I conceive, from the
arguments and facts which will follow, that thej
were stopped by a most unfortunate barrier of ice
(of great extent indeed) but which was only tem-
porary and not perpetual.

If such a wall of ice hath been constantly fixed in
this latitude, and must continue to be so, there is an
end to all discoveries to be made to the northward
of Spitzbergen; but if it is only occasional, the
attempt may be resumed in some fortunate year.'^

The point therefore being of so much importance
to geography^ I hope the Society will pardon me, if I
more fully enter into the subject than I did in my
former Paper,

The English have long taken the lead in geogra-
phical discoveries. One of our ships of war is lately
returned, after having penetrated into the Antarctic
Circle ; and is it not rather a reflection upon a scien-
tific nation, that more is not known with regard to
the circumpolar regions of our own hemisphere, than
can be collected from maps made in the time of
Charles I. especially when the run from tte mouth of
the Thames to the North Pole is not a longer one
than from Falmouth to the Cape de Yerd Islands .^

Thoi^h I have the honour to be a Fellow of a
Society instituted for the promotion of Natural

* Upon the first return of the king's ships from the Polar Voyage,
this notion of a perpetual barrier of ice at North latitude 801" ^^^^
prevailed so much, that some very distinguished philosophers of
fliis country had shown thoughts of proceeding to the Pole over the
ice, in such a wind boat as the Dutch have sometimes made use of.

Ai"

Jf'

.4"

■'^■v

•H -ti "If

ipted to
rom the
at thej
of ice
\y tem-

Sxed in
re is an
thward
al, the
far.*
ortance
me, if I
in my

^•r

geogpa-
s lately
ntaretic
I scien-
;ard to
'e, than
time of
outh of
er one
ids?
w of a ,
Fatural

Voyage,
Ol'had
•hers of
•ver the
use of.

J!^''

*-,'■

■'■&

THE NORTH POLE.

tfl

Knowledge, the prejudices of an Englishmem are so
strong with me, that I cannot but wish the discoveries
to be made in the Polar Seas may be achieved by
my countrymen ; but, if we are determined to aban-
don the enterpris :, science is to be honoured from
whatever quarter it may come, and it hath therefore
given me gr«at satisfaction to hear, that Mons. de
Bougainville is soon to be sent on discoveries to the
Northward.*

In the outset of my former Paper, I said I should
not trouble the Society with any instances of naviga-
tors having reached high Northern Latitudes, which
had appeared in print. During the course of this
summer, however, I have happened to find three
such accounts, which were never before alluded to,
and which are extracted from books that are not
commonly looked into, or at least often consulted
upon points of geography.

When the Royal Society was first instituted, it was
usual to send queries to any traveller who happened
to reside in England, after having been in parts of
the world which are not commonly frequented.t

In the year 1662-3, Mr. Oldenburgh, the Secretary
of the Society, was ordered to register a Paper,
entitled, " Several Inquiries concerning Greenland,
answered by Mr. Grey, who had visited those parts."

* I have since been informed, that this intended voyage wai
dropped, by the French Minister for the marine department being
changed. .-i" "■•, '-■■'''• ''iifi-n^rvii '■■'v ■•• ^

t Richard Hakluyt rode two hundred milea to hear the Narrative'
of Mr. Thomas Butt's Voyage, temp. Henry VIII. from England to
Newfoundland.— Hakluyt, partiii, p. 131.

.^-#*

•r
t

""!»«

«,?

■^ J..

*.;■■

iNir

»»

■«i

•.*P'\^V7'WTOWSW|BpU'**'*hV,jlljA(Mi

■ «f

ON APPROACHIirO

I 4

. s

The 19th of these queries, is the following :—
** How near any one hath been known to approach
the Pole?"

^ Answer. "I once met, upon the Coast of Green-
land, a Hollander, that swore he had been but half
a degree from the Pole, showing me his Journal,
which was also attested hj his mate; m^iere they had
seen no ice or land, but all water/**
After which Mr. Oldenburgh adds, as from himself,

•♦Thi8isincredible."t

It may not be improper, therefore, after mentioning
this first instance of a navigator's having approached
so near to the Pole, to discuss upon what reasons
Mr. Oldenburgh might found his very peremptory
incredulity. -^

* Mr. Boyle mentions a similar account, which he received from
an old Greenland Master, on the 6th of April, 1676. — See Boylels
Works, vol. ii. p. 397 to 399, folio. The whole of this Narrative
is very circumstantial, and deserves to be stated at length. The
title is " Experiments and Observations made in December and
January, 1662." ,„

t See Dr. Birch's History of the Royal Society, vol. I. p. 202.
These queries are nineteen in number, to which the answers are
very circumstantial. I had an opportunity of reading them over to
three very inteUigent masters of Greenland ships, who confirmed
every particular. One circumstance I think it right to take notice
of, though it does not immediately relate to the point in discussion,
which is, that there are coals in Spitzbei^en, by which seven of
Mr. Grey's crew were enabled to bear the seventy of the winter,
having been left behind by an accident. One of the Greenland
Masters, to whom I read Mr. Grey's answers, confirmed this par-
ticular ; saying, that he had burnt himself SpitEben;cn r,oa!«, and
that they were very good.

■

p "
^

■^ -letfT

■■*"^-* ?-.

../■

«»**««

THl! NORTH POLE.

approach

ofGreen-

1 but half

Journal,

they had

n himself,

lentioning
>proachtid
it reasons
eremptory

eceived from
-See Boyle*8
bis Narrative
ength. The
ecember and

1. I. p. 202.
answers are
them over to
ho confirmed
o take notice
in discussion,
ich seven of
f the winter,
te Greenland
tned this par-
tn coals, an<l

tTas it because the fact is impossible upon the
rery stating it ?

This puts me in mind of the disbelief nvhich is
generally shown to a passage in Pliny, even after th^
actual f^ct hath shown not only the possibility, but
easy practicability of what is alluded to. Pliny in^^
forms Uo/ that Eudoxus, flying the vengeance of king
Lathyrus, sailed from AraUa, and reached the Straits
of Gibraltar : yet no one scarcely will believe this
account of Edoxus^s navigation, notwithstanding this
course is so often followed.

Was it because no Englishman had then been so
far to the Northward? .• - . i^^ ' * '

It is very easy, however, to account why such
attempts should rather be made by the Dutch than
the English in the infancy of the Greenland Fishery.

The southern parts of this country were discovered
by Sir Hugh Willougbby, A. D. 1553 ; after which no
English ships were sent on that coast for nearly fifty
years. In the beginning of the last century, however,
a competition arose between the English and Dutch
with regard to the Whale Fishery, and the English
drove the Dutch from most of the harbours, under
the right of first discoverers,t in which they were^

• Lib. ii. chap. Ixvii.

t It is also assigned, in the Supplement to Wood and Marten's'
Voyages, p. 179, 8vo. 1694, as a reason why the English never
proceeded farther than 78° on the East Coast of Spitzbergen, because
the Dutch were commonly superior on that side of the Island.

Robert Bacon, of Crowmers in Norfolk, was the first discoverer
also of Iceland. — See the Itinerary of William of Worcester, p. 31 1.
8vo. Cambridge, 1778.

^•'

'*. ^

,n^

-^>*

.■'t^

■*l^;

!^'

'ft

i-^

.«•■

*. -.

■••S^.V--.. *A^-

»^t

'{•I UN APPHUACIIINA C ,

Hupported by royal instructions ; so that the Dutch
were obliged to ueek for new stations, whereas the
English were commonly in possession of the Green-
land Ports, which they considered as their own.*
.^ Did Mr. Oldenburgh disbelieve the Dutchman's
relation, because ice is frequently met with to the
Southward of North latitude 80^^

Ice is commonly seen upon the great bank of New-
foundland, and the harbour of Louisburgh is oflen
covered with it, which is only in North latitude 46"* ;
yet Davis and Baffin have penetrated, under nearly
the same meridians, beyond 70".

I will now suppose the tables changed between the
two hemispheres of our globe, and that a Southern
discoverer, meeting with ice upon the banks of New-
foundland, returns to his own hemisphere fully im-
pressed with the impossibility of proceeding much to
the Northward of North latitude 46° ; would not his
countrymen be deceived by the inferences which
were drawn from what had been observed in the seas
of the Northern hemisphere ?

j Bouvet, in 1738, sailed to 53" Southern latitude,
and in a meridian 5° to the West of the Cape of Good
Hope, in which situation he fell in with floating ice ;
after which he did not proceed any farther. Our
two sliips of war, lately sent upon discoveries to the
Southward, however, have been some minutes within

'*^-,^;;

* See Purchas, passiin. Wliilst these disputes continued, the
Dutch often sent ships of war to protect their Greenland traders,
which accounts for Dr. Dallie's saiUng in such a vessel to 86°^ as I
have stated in my former Paper. >-.!,

.rp

■t-

■ ^■« «n >.tt.a -

•d*'-"S?s6!*~-

'^^•'

I r

e Dutch
reas the
Greeii-
iwn.*
tchman^s
1 to the

of New-
is oflen

tude46';

er nearly

;ween the
Southern
3of New-
! fully im-
r much to
Id not his
es which
a the seas

I latitude,
e of Good
ating ice ;
[ler. Our
ies to the
tes within

ntinued, the
and traders,
to 88°, as 1

THE NORTH POLE.

tHe Antarctic Circle, upon a no very distant meridian
from that in wliich Bouvct sailed. >

Must the fact be disbelieved because all the ice in
the Polar seas comes from the Northward ? But this
is not so, as Mr. Grey informs us,* that the South-
east wind brings the greatest quantity of ice to the
coasts of Spitzbergcn; wliich indeed is highly proba-
ble, as this wind blows from those parts of the ley
sea into which the great rivers of Siberia and Tar-
tary empty themselves.f My own poor conception,
with regard to the floating ice . in the Spitzbergcn
seas, is, that these masses come almost entirely
from the same quarter, as it is so difficult to freeze
any large quantity of salt water. These pieces of
ice, therefore, being once launched into the Icy
Sea, are dispersed by winds, tides, and currents, in
every direction, some of them being perhaps carried
to very high Northern latitudes, from which they are
again wafted to the Southward.

But allowing, for an instant, that all the ice mrty
come from the Northward, must not then an opr '• xea
be left in the higher Northern latitudes, froiii \Miich
these masses of ice are supposed to have floated ?

Was it because the more one advances towards
the Pole, vegetation invariably is diminished ? — But
this is not the fact.

* Dr. Birch's History of the Royal Society.

t The ice is said to be never troublesome in the harbour of New-
port (Rhode-Island, North America ;) because no fresh water rivers
empty themselves by this port ; whereas the harbour of New-York
(though much to the southward) is often obstructed by the ice,
tvhich floats down from Hudson's river.

V.-at

■%

••#'

.Oix

■*f. ■.

i¥»»

Q|l M>P|10ACIIIK9

.J. w

Nova Zembla, situate only in North latitude 76*,
produces not even any sorts of grass ;* eo that the
only quadrupeds which frequent it are foxes and hears,
>^ l)oth of which are carnivorous. In the Northern
> parts of Spitzhergen, on the other hand, they have
reindeer, which are often ei^cessively fat; and Mr,
Grey mentions three or four plants, which flower
there during the suimner.f

Was it because no one had ever conceived it pos-
sible to proceed so far as the Pole ?J

Thome, however, a merchant of Bristol, had made
such a proposal in the reign of Henry V III ; and I
shall now also show, that not only Mr. Oldenburgh*^
contemporaries continued to believe such a voyage
to be feasible, but many great names in science who
lived after him.

Wood sailed on the discovery of a Northeast pas-*
sage to Japan in 1676; and, in the publication of hia
yoyage, he hath stated the grounds upon which he
ponceived such a voyage to be practicable; the
strongest of all which, perhaps, is the relation of
C/aptain Goulden, with regard taa Dutch ship having
reached North latitude 89^ Though this account
{lath often been referred to, I do not recollect to have
seen it stf^ted with all the circumstanced which seem

• '■' -■ '-- ■ -it:-

# Purchas, vol. i. p. 479.

t Dr. Birch's History of the Royal Society, vol. i. etteq^.

I A Map of the Northern Hemisphere, published at Berlin (under
the direction of the Academy of Sciences and Belles Letters,) places
a ship at the Pole, as having arrived tl^ere according to ihfi Dut^ h
f^ccounts.

■* ♦■• if' .A

ft'"'

» ^fv^*;

%*, ^^4

THE NORTH POLS.

"•Wv,

ude 76*,
that the
id hears,
Northern
ley have
and Mr,
flowey

d itposi-

lad made
I; and I
nburgh'i}
I voyage
ince vvho

east pas'^
ionof hi&
ivhich he
ble; the
Nation of
ip having
account
it to have
Ich seen)

irlin (under

ers,) places

^e Dutfph

to establish its veracity beyond contradiction : I shall ;
therefore copy the very words of Wood.*

"Captain Goulden, who had made above thirty
voyages to Greenland, did relate to His Majesty,
that, being at Greenland some twenty years before,
he was in company with two Hollanders to the east-
ward of Edge's Island :t and that the whales not
appearing on the shore, the two Hollanders were
determined to go farther Northward, and in a fort-
night's time returned, and gave it out that they had
sailed into the latitude 89% and that they did not
meet with any ice, but a free and open sea ; and that
there run a very hollow grownX sea, like that of the
Bay of Biscay. Mr. Goulden being not satisfied with
the bare relation, they produced him four Journals
put of the two ships, which testified the same, and
that they all agreed within four minutes.''§

* Moxon's account of a Dutch ship having been two degrees be»
yoiid the Pole was also much relied upon by Wood, which hath
never been printed at large, but in a now very scarce tract of Mox-
pn's, and in the second volume of Harris's Voyages, p. 396. In
confirmation of this very circumstancial and interesting narrative, I
have only to add, that Moxon was hydrographer to Chnrles II. and
hath published several scientific treatises. — See the Catalogue of
the Bodleian Library. iy,:, ►

t Edge's Island was discovered, A. D. 1616, by Captain Thomas
Edge, who had made ten voyages to those seas. — See the Supple-
ment to the Northeast Voyages, 8vo. London, 1694. Whyche'a
Island, so called from a gentleman of that name, was discovered in
the following year. — Ibid. ' r

I Grown Sea, is the expression in the original. " Which is not
practicable in these tempestuous high^^rown seas." — Dr. Hidley, ia
his Journal, p. 45.

§ Wood's Voyage, p. 145. — Wood's Voyage was published by
Smith and Walford, Printers to the Royal Society in 1694, together

L '

i ON APPROACHING

4/ I

:-0

Having thus stated Wood's own words, it should
seem, that they who deny the authenticity of the
relation must contend, that the crews of both these
Dutch ships entered into a deliberate scheme of
imposing upon their brother Whale Fishers, and had
drawn up four fictitious Journals accordingly, because
so many are stated to have been produced out of the
two ships to Captain Goulden, whilst each of them
varied a few minutes in the latitude ; whereas, if they
had determined to deceive Captain Goulden and his
crew, the Journals would probably have tallied ex-
actly. I must beg leave also to make additional
observation on the account as stated by Wood, which
is, that the Dutch ships only went to the Northward,
in search of whales, but did not give it out that they
intended to make for the Pole, which, if they had
done, it might possibly have been an inducement to
carry on the deception by forgeries and misrepre-
sentations. To this it may likewise be added, that
the Dutch are not conmionly jokers.

I have already remarked, that Wood makes this
account one of the principal reasons for his undertak-
ing the Northeast passage to Japan. Wood therefore
(Mr. Oldenburgh's contemporary) was not a disbe-
liever before his voyage, of the possibility of reach-
ing so high a Northern latitude, nor of any of the cir-
cumstances stated in this Narrative.

But Captain Wood is not a single instance of such
credulity, as, the very year before he sailed on his

with Sir John Narborough's, Marten's, and other Navigators . The
book is dedicated to Pepys, Secretary to the Admiralty ; and he i«
complimented therein for having furnished the materiali?.

THE NORTH POLE.

t should

' of the

h these

leme of

and had

because

\i of the

of them

, if thej

I and his

Jlied ex-

dditional

d, which

rthward,

hat they

hey had

ement to

nisrepre-

led, that

akes this
ndertak-
iherefore
a disbe-
►f reach-
f the cir-

of such
id on his

on. The
and he is

voyage, we find in the Philosophical Transactions for
1675* the following passage: — "For it is well known
to all that sail Northward, that most of the Northern
coasts are frozen up many leagues, though in the
open sea it is not so, «o, nor under the Pole itself^ unless
by accident." In which passage, the having reached
the Pole is alluded to as a known fact, and stated as
such to the Royal Society.

Wood indeed, after i.jt being able to proceed
iarther than North latitude 76°, discredits in the lump
all the former instances of having reached high
Northern latitudes, in the following words : —

" So here the opinion of William Barentz was con-
futed, and all the Dutch relations,t which certainly
are all forged and abusive pamphlets, as also the
relations of our countrymen."^

Injustice, however, to the memoirs of both English
and Dutch Navigators, I cannot but take notice of
these very peremptory and ill-founded reflections,
made by Wood: and which seem to be dictated
merely by his disappointment, in not being able to
effect his discovery.

Wood attempted to sail in a Northeast direction
between Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla, but was
obstructed by ice, so that he could not proceed
farther than the West coast of Nova Zembla, in North

* No. 118.

t The Dutch made three voyages for the discovery of the North-
east Passage in three successive years, the thirJ being in 1596,
which last was by the encouragement of a private subscription only.
— See Gerard de Veer, p. 13. folio. Amsterdam, 1609.

J Wood's Voyage, p. 181.

'■ -3» _H,

•5v.

■.f %.

■*^w

ON APPROACHING

J¥*'

latitude 76*. Thinking it, therefore, prudent to
return, he at once treats as fabulous, not only the
ideas of that most persevering seaman, William
Barentz, but likewise all other accounts of ships
having ireached high Northern latitudes. Now that
the ice, which obstructed Wood in North Latitude
76", was not a perpetufil, but only an occasional bar-
rier, appears by the Russians having not only dis-
covered, but lived several years in the island of
Maloy Brun, which lies between Spitzbergen and
Nova Zcmbia, and extends from North latitude
77" 25' ^o TS** 45* The Dutch also sailed round the
Northern Coast of Nova Zembla, and wintered on the
Eastern side in 1596.t if*'

As for Wood's treating all discoveries towards the
Pole, from the Northern parts of Spitzbergen, as
fabulous, he had not the least foundation, from what
he had observed on his own voyage, for this un-
merited aspersion upon their veracity; because, if

* See the English Translation of Professor Le Roy's account of
this Island, p. 85, 8vo., London, 1774, printed for C. Heydinger.
As also the Sieur de Vaugondy'sJSjsai d'une Carte Polaire Arctique,
published in 1774, who represents this Island as extending from
North latitude 77» 20' to 78«» 3(/, its longitude being 60" East from
Fero.

t See the Map of the circumpolar regions, which accompanies
Wood's Voyage. The Northern point of Nova Zembla, in this Map,
is in 77® nearly. There were factions in Holland with regard to
the method of discovering the Northeast Passage. Barentz, insti-
gated by Plancius, the geographer, was for making the trial to the
North of Nova Zembla ; the other two ships, which sailed on that
expedition of discovery, were to attempt passing the Weygatz.—
Recueil dee Voyages au Nord. torn. iv. Linachoteu's Preface.

•v,.-a^,m; ^#.,

Tlf£ NORTH POLE.

ident to
only the
William
of ships
ow that
Latitude
>nal bar-
only dis-
sland of
•gen and
latitude
'ound the
ed on the
*■
rards the
ergen, as
rom what
this un-
;cause, if

account of
Heydinger.
re Antique,
inding from
° East from

ccompanies
in this Map,
i regard to
entz, insti-
trial to the
[led on that
tVeygatz.—
'reface.

Wood's barrier between Spitzbergen and Nova
Zambia, in North latitude 76% had been perpetual,
what hath this to do with the course of a ship sailing
from the Northern parts of Spitzbergen upon a me-
ridian towards the Pole ?

I cannot, however, dismiss Wood's Voyage without,
making some further remarks on his concluding, that
the obstructions which he met with in North lati-
tude 76* were perpetual.

Almost every voyage to seas in which floating ice
is commonly to be found, proves the great diflTerence
between the quantities, as well as size, of these
impediments to navigation, though in the same lati-
tude and time of the year.

Davis, in his two first voyages to discover the
Northwest Passage, could not penetrate beyond
66"; but in his third voyage, in 1587, he reached
72" 12'.*

In the year 1576, Sir Martin Frobisher passed the
Straits (since called from their first discoverer)
without any obstructions from ice; in his two fol-
lowing voyages, however, he found them in the same
month, to use his own expression, " in a manner shut
up with a long mure of ice."t

In the year 1614, Baffin proceeded to 81", and
thought he saw land as far as 82'! to the Northeast
of Spitzbergen, which is accordingly marked in one

* See Hakluyt, and Purchas, vol. i. p. 84. ' • •

t Purchas, ibid.

J See also the Supplement to Wood and Marten's Voyages, in the
tvo. publication of 1694, in which Point Purchas ,i8 stated to be in
North Latitude SS".

^>«

ON ArPROACHlN«

•*•

of Purchas's Maps. During this voyage he met, near
Cherry Island, situate only in 74" North latitude,
two banks of ice; the one forty leagues in length,
the other one hundred and twenty ; which last would
extend to twenty-five degrees of longitude in North
latitude 76% where Wood fixes his barrier.

It need therefore scarcely be observed, that such
a floating wall of ice, one hundred and twenty
leagues long, by being jammed in between land, or
other banks of ice, might afford an appearance
indeed of forming a perpetual barrier, when, perhaps,
w'*hin the next twenty-four hours, the wall of ice
might entirely vanish.

Of the sudden assemblage of such an accumula-
tion of ice, I shall now mention two, rather recent,
instances.

I have been very accurately informed, that the
late Colonel Murray happened to go, in the month of
May, from one of our Southern Colonies to Louis-
burgh, when the harbour was entirely open ; but, on
rising in the morning, it was completely filled with
ice, so that a wagon might have passed over it in
any direction.*

office

■«.. ^

* On the 19th of December, 1769, the Potowmack, in a part
where it was two miles broad, and nearly in North Latitude of only
38°, was frozen entirely over in one night, when the preceding day
had been very mild and temperate. — Burnaby'a Travels through
North America, p. 59.

Camden, in his Annals of Elizabeth, asserts, that Davis reached
83°, where the Straits, called after him, were narrowed to forty
leagues.— See Camden, anno 1585. We have oot since been able
to proceed so far to the Northward. , .

>f*'

THE NORTH POLE.

le met, near
th latitude,
i in length,
i last would
e in North
r.

[, that such
md twenty
en land, or
ippearancc
n, perhaps,
ivall of ice

accumula-
ler recent,

I, that the
e month of
to Louis-
n ; but, on
filled with
over it in

«, in a part
tude of only
receding day
'els through

avis reached
red to forty
:c been able

I have also received the following account from an
officer in the Royal Navy, who was not many years
ago on the Newfoundland station.

In the middle of June the whole Straits of Bellisle
were covered in the same manner with the harbour
of Louisburgh, and for three weeks together a car-
riage might have passed from one shore to the other ;
but during a single night the ice had almost entirely
disappeared. Such is the sudden accumulation of
ice, in latitudes twenty-four and thirty degrees to the
Southward of Wood's situation.

Linschoten asserts, that being in the Straits of
Weygate, the last day of July, he was told by the
Samoieds on that coast, that in ten or twelve days
afterward the ice in the Straits would be all gone,
though they were then quite blocked up with it.
When he repassed these Straits afterward, on the
13th of August, he found not the least vestige of it,
so quickly do these huge masses dissolve after they
once begin to thaw.*

On the other hand, Callander admits, that by
accumulation of floating ice places are now inacces-
sible which were not formerly so, and instances the
Eastern Coast of Greenland, as also Frobisher's
Straits.f Kergulen, in his account of Iceland, like-
wise mentions, that the sea between Iceland and
Greenland was entirely closed during the whole
summer of 1766.

I shall now endeavour to show, that Dr. Halley
was no more incredulous with regard to the pos-
sibility of reaching high Northern latitudes, than

* Callander's Preface, p. 38. t Ibid.

««#;. J

• %

■ * »..

■f

ON APPROACHING

<«!

Captain Wood was before the ill success of his
voyage on discovery.

Mr. Miller, in his Gardener's Dictionary, hath the
following passage, under the article Thermometer : —

" Mr. Patrick has fixed his thermometer to a scale
of 90% which are numbered from the top downward,
and also a moveable index to it. The design of this
is to show, how the heat and cold is changed from
the time it was last looked upon, according to the
difTerent degrees of heat and cold in all latitudes.
As by the trial of two thermometers, which have been
regulated abroad ; the one by Dr. Halley, in his late
Southern oyage ; and the other by Captain Johnson,
in his voyage to Greenland; the first hath a hest
under the equinoctial line, and the other a degree of
cold in 88° of North latitude."

I have taken some pains to find out a more full
account of tljis voyage of Captain Johnson's; but
have only met with the following confirmation of it
perhaps : —

" I have been assured, by^persons of credit^ that an
English Captain, whose name was Monson, instead
of seeking a passage to China between the Northern
countries, had directed his course to the Pole, and
had approached it within two degrees, where there
was an open sea, without any ice."*

As the Captain Monson mentioned in this passage,
reached exactly the same degree of latitude with
Captain Johnson, I should rather think, that this is
the same voyage; especially, as it is well known,

* See M. de Buflfon's Natural History, vol. i, p. 216. 4to,

THE WORTH POLE.

•4.

8 of his
hath the

METER :—

a scale
jwnward,
;n of this
iged from
)g to the
latitudes,
have been
n his late
Johnson,
h a heat
iegree of

nore full
n's ; hut
ion of it

) that an
, instead
Vorthern
ole, and
re there

passage,

ide with

t this is

known,

Ito,

H' «",

that the French writers seldom trouble themselves
about the orthography of foreign names.

If this, however, should not be the case, it must
be admitted to be ua additional instance of a ship's
leaving reached North latitude 88°, as well as Mons.
de Buffbn's giving credit to such relation.*

Having therefore not been able to pick up any
other circumstances in relation to Captain John-
son's voyage, I shall now state what seems to be fairly
deducible from the passage, which I have copied
from Miller's Gardener's Dictionary.

Dr. Halley made his voyage to the Southward in
1700; on the return from which, he probably em-
ployed Patrick, as the most eminent maker of weather
glas8e8,t to ^-c Juate a thermometer according to the
heat he had experienced under the equator. It was
very natural, therefore, when such a point of heat
was to be marked upon the instrument, to make the
scale either for high Southern or Northern latitudes.

It should seem, then, that Dr. Halley had procured
Captain Johnson (who was Master of a Greenland

* To this list of credulous persons (as perhaps they may be con-
sidered by some,) I shall beg leave to add the names of Maclauria
and Dr. Campbell. The former of these was so persuaded of tlie
seas being open quite to the Pole/ that he hath not only advised this
method of prosecuting discoveries, but, as I have been told, was
desirous of going the voyage himself.

t I have been informed, that his shop was in the Old Bailey, and
that he died about fifty years ago. Patrick was a great ringer, and
some of the most celebrated peals were invented by him, more than
fifty years ago. He styled himself, in tiis advertisements, Torri-
cellian Operator. — Sir John Hawkins's History of Music, vol. iv.
p. 154.

■It'

>'.

J!^t

•rr APPROACHINO

ship) to carry a thermometer on his voyage to Spitz-
bergen, and that he fortunately was able to reach so
high a degree of latitude as 88°.

If the thermometer had been calculated only for
imaginary degrees of heat and cold, it would have
been marked for the Equator and the Pole ; whereas
it was only regulatad for 88" of North latitude, which
Captain Johnson therefore had as clearly reached^
as Dr. Halley had the Equator.

At all events, Patrick's Thermometer must have
been made under Dr. Halley's inspection ; and would
he have permitted it to be marked for 88* of North
latitude, according to Captain Johnson's voyage, if
he had disbelieved his narrative ?

My third and last instance, from any printed
authority, but in a book which is not commonly to be
met with, is that of Captain Alexander Cluny, as by
a map engraved under his direction, the very spot is
marked to the Westward of Spitzbergen, and in
somewhat more than 82° of North latitude, where he
saw neither land nor ice.*

Before I proceed, however, to state several other
instances of reaching high northern latitudes, which
have never appeared in print, and which I have col-
lected since my last Paper on this head, I must beg
the indulgence of the Society, whilst I lay before

* Sec the American Traveller, 4to. London 1769; as also, the
Sieur de Vaugondy's Essai d'une Carte Polaire Antique, published
in 1774 ; in which, however, he lays down this spot from Cluny's
Map, in little more than 81°, whereas it is fully in 82"». The lon-
gitude of this spot is 30«> East from Fero.

THE NORTH POLE.

B to Spitz-
o reach so

>d only for
ould have
; whereas
ide, which
' reached,

nust have

md would

of North

voyage, if

Y printed
only to be
ly, as by
^y spot is
and in
where he

them some additional reasons why the Polar Seas
may be conceived to be navigable.*

Speculative geographers have supposed, that there
should be nearly the same quantity of land and sea
in both hemispheres, in order to preserve the equi-
librium of the globe.

It is possible, indeed, that this may be accounted
for by the Antarctic seas being more shallow than
those near the North Pole ; as we do not know this,
however, by the actual soundings, but are informed
by Captain Furneaux, that there is no land even as
far as the Antartic Circle, upon the meridian in which
he sailed, as also that no land was observed during
the course of his circumnavigation in 55** South lati-
tude at a medium, it seems necessary, as the quan-
tity of land so greatly preponderates in the Northera
hemisphere, that from North latitude 80^° to the Pole
itself must be chiefly, if not entirely, 8ea.t

Let us now consider, whether such a sea is proba-
ble, at all times, in a state of congelation.

ral other
8, which
lave col-
Qust beg
y before

8 also, the
published

m Cluny's
The Ion-

* I have received a letter from the Rev. Mr. Tookc, Chaplain to
the Factory at St. Petersburgh, dated December 30, 1774, which
he concludes in the following manner : — " I have a fact or two to
communicate, which seem to indicate, if not to a certainty, yet at
least to a degree of probability, that the sea is open to the Pole the
year throughout ; but my paper will not hold them." From the
accuracy with which several other interesting particulars are stated
in this letter, I have great reason to regret, that I have not an op-
portunity of laying the facts alluded to before the Public, with all
their circumstances, as I suppose that Mr. Tooke's information
came from Archangel Seamen.

t It is not known that Captain Cook also found very little land
during his persevering attempts to the Southward. *''

■f^

'■P^^
■'4-

•t'i

ON APPROACHING

itf

I do not know, whether it hath been settled by
thermometrical observations, that there is any mate-
rial difTereiice between the heat under the Equator,
and that which is experienced within the Tropics ;
most travellers complain indefinitely of its excess in
such latitudes. ^ .

As this point, therefore, seems not to have been
settled by the thermometer, let us have recourse to
what is found to be the freezing point upon mountains,
situate almost under the Equator, and compare it
with the same height on the Peak of Teneriffe, which,
being in North latitude 28', is five degrees to the
Northward of the Tropical limits.

The French Academicians suppose, that the
freezing point, at which all vegetation ceases, and
ice takes place, commences on Cotopaxi, at 1411
toises above the level of the sea ; or, by our measure,
at the height of about a mile and three quarters.*

Mr. Edens, on the other hand, hath given us a very
particular account of what he observed in going to
the top of Tenerifie ;t and so far from seeing snow
or ice (except in a cave) his coat was covered, during
the night, with dew, at the very summit; which,

* Cotopaxi is the highest mountain of the Andes, at least in the
neighbourhood of Quito. The plain of Carabuca, from which it
rises, is 1023 toises above the level of the sea, and the height of
the mountain above this plain is 1268 toises, making together 2291
toises. If 880 toises therefore are deducted from 2291, 141!
toises become the height of the freezing point upon this mountain.
— See Ulloa's Account of South America.

t Philosophical Transactions Abridged, vol. v. p. 147. Sprat's
History of the Royal Society.

. 4

y.>l/t^li^

tied by

y mate-

iquator,

Vopics ;

Lcess in

re been

)urse to

untains,

fipare it
S which,

to the

hat the

ies, and

at 1411

neasure«

ers.*

8 a very

;oing to

ng snow

, during

which,

ast in the

1 which it

height of
ther 2291

■

91, 1411

mountain.

. Sprat*8

THE NORTH POLE.

i-.

according to Dr. Heberden^s computation, is l.'),3d6
feet high, or wants but 148 yards of three miles.*

Now, as it is thus settled, that the Peak of Tene-
rifTe is nearly three miles high, which exceeds by
more than a mile the height of the freezing point on
Cotopaxi, situate under the Equator, it should seem
that there is no particular diflerenc^ between the heat
under the Equator and within the Tropics ; for if it
is urged, that Teneriffe is more surrounded with sea
than Cotopaxi, it must on the other hand be recol-
lected, that this mountain is situate 5** to the North-
ward of the Tropic, at the same time that the sum-
mit exceeds the freezing point on Cotopaxi by more
than a mile ; both which circumstances should ren-
der it colder than the freezing point on Cotopaxi.

The inference to be drawn from this comparison
seems to be, that, as the heat varies so little between
the Equator and the Tropical limits, it may difier as
little between the Arctic Circle and the Pole.

Nothing hath been supposed to show more strongly
the wisdom of a beneficent Creator, than that every
part of this globe should (taking the year throughout)
have an equal proportion of the sun^s light.

It is admitted, that the equatorial parts have rather
too much heat for the comforts of the inhabitants,
and those within the Polar Circles too little ; but, as
we know that the Tropical limits are peopled, it
should seem that the two Polar Circles are equally

* See Hawkesworth's voyages, vol. ii. p. 12. Goats also reach
the very summit, which must be in search of food, as they do not
bear cold well.

■.y:

v^ S:

t ON APPROACHING

**li

destined tor the same purpose; or if not for the
benefit of man, at least for the sustenance of certain
animals.

The largest of these, in the whcde seale of Crea-
tion, is the whale ; which, though a fish, cannot live
long under water, without occasionally raising its
head into another element, for the purpose of respi-
ration :* most other fish also occasionally approach
^1 the surface of the water.

If the ice therefore extends from North latitude
b(H** to the Pole, all the intermediate space is denied
to the Spitzbergen whales, as well perhaps as to
other fish. And is that glorious luminary, the sun,
to shine in vain for half the year upon ten degrees of
latitude round each of the Poles, without contributing
either to animal life or vegetation? for neither can
take place upon this dreary expanse of ice.

If this tract of sea also is thus rendered improper
for the support of whales^, these enormous fish, which
require so much room, will be confined to two or
three degrees of latitude in the neighbourhood of
Spitzbergen; for all the Greenland Masters agree,
^ that the best fishing stations are from 79° to 80**, and
that they do not often catch them to the Southward.

I will now ask, iftheseais congealed fi*om North
latitude 80^** quite to the Pole, when did it thus begin
to freeze, as it is well kiiown, that a large quantity of

"■*'

* " Sometimes the ice is ^xed, when there are but few whales
seen, for underneath the ice they cannot breathe." — ^Martens's Voy-
age to Spitzbergen.

The whales, likewise, are supposed to come from the North , but
how can thin be, if there is an incrusted sea over them ?

^^■

•fc.:*."

\ THE WORTH POLE.

sea water is not easily forced to assume the form of
ice ?* Can it be contended, that ten degrees of the
globe round each Pole were covered with frozen sea
at the original creation ?t And if this is not insisted
upon, can it be supposed, that, when the surface of
the Polar Ocean first ceased to be liquid, it could
have afterward resisted the effects of winds, currents,
and tides ? s

I beg leave also to rely much upon the necessity ^
of the ice^s yielding to the constant reciprocation of

^:.*

':f

.1^

* " There are three kinds of ice in the Northern Seas. The
first is like melted snow, which is become partly hardened, is
more easily broken into pieces, less transparent, is seldom more
than six inches thick, and, when dissolved, is^und to be intermixed
with salt. This first sort of ice is the only one which is ever formed
from sea water.

' " If a certain quantity of water, which contains as much salt as
sea water, is exposed to the greatest degree of cold, it never becomes
firm and pure ice, but resembles tallow or suet, whikt it preserves the
taste of salt, so that the sweet transparent ice can never be formed
in the sea. If the ice of the sea itself, therefore, confined in a
Small vessel without any motion, cannot thus become true ice, much
less can it do so in a deep and agitated ocean." The author hence
infers, that all the floating ice in the Polar Seas comes from the
Tartarian Rivers and Greenland, as I have before contended. — See
a Dissertation of Michel Lomonosof, translated from the Swedish
Transactions of 1752. Collection Acadfmtque, tom. xi. p. 5. et seq.,
4to. Paris, 1772. The Dissertation is entitled, "Z>e VOrigim des
Monts de Olace, dans la Mer du J^ord."

t If there had been a fixed barrier of ice from the time of the
creation, extending from SO^** to the North Pole, the height of such
ice must have been excessive, by the accumulation of frozen snow
from winter to winter. Martens therefore observes, that the ice
mountains in Spitzbergen are constantly increasing by the snow and

rain which falls freezing, and which seldom melts at the top.— P. 43.

.11...

■4

?rf.

liMi

\ m

**;;

'Tl^f:

lii^, %

•if

;f .-■♦

^?;

ON APPROACHING

'■»i. Jk

the latter; because no sea was ever known to be
frozen but the Black Sea, and some small parts of the
Baltic,* neither of which have any tides, at the same
tirae that the waters of both contain much less salt
than those of other seas, from the great influx of
many fresh water rivers. For this last reason, it may
likewise be presumed, that the circumpolar seas are
very salt, because there is probably no such influx
beyond North latitude 80% Spitzbergen itself having
no rivers.

Having thus given some general reeisons, why the
sea should not be supposed to be frozen in the ten
highest degrees of latitude, I shall now proceed to
lay before the Society several instances, which I
have lately collected, and which prove that it is not
so covered with ice considerably to the North of 8(H^.

I shall, however, previously make two obsemi^
ations ; the first of which is, that every instance of
exceeding North latitude SOy", as much proves that
there is no perpetual barrier of ice in that latitude, as
if the navigator hath reached the Pole. The second
is, that as four experienced Greenland Masters
have concurred in informing me, that they can see
what is called the bUi^ of the ic&\ for a degree before

*'\'

* To these perhaps may be added the White Sea.

t This is described to be an arch formt. : upon the clouds by re-
flection from the packed ice. Where the ice is fixed upon the sea,
you see a snow viaie brightness in the skies, as if the sun shined,
for the snow is reflected by the air just as a fire by night is, but at a
distance you see the air blue or blackish. Where there are many
small ice fields, which are as meadows for the seals, you see no
lustre or brightness of the skies. — Martens's Voyage to Spitzbergen.

«jf-jf*

^^■

■ijsrf •*■■

i«-

THE NORTH 1>0LE.

them, they never can be off Hakluyt's Headland,
which is situate in 79' 50', without observing this
eflect of the ice upon the sky, if there was a per-
petual barrier at 8(H% which is not much more than
half a degree from them, when in that situation.
Now Hakluyt's Headland is what they so perpetually
take their departures from, that it hath obtained the
name of The Headland by way of pre-eminence.

This mountain also is so high, that it can be dis-
tinguished at the distance of a degree : in such
instances, therefore, which I shall produce, that do
not settle the latitude by observation, whenever the
reckoning depends upon the approach or departure
from this Headland, the account receives the ad-
ditional check of the mountain's being increased or
diminished gradually to the eye of the observer. '^

My second previous remark shall be, with regard
to all instances of reaching high Northern latitudes,
for which the authority of the Ship's Journal may be
required, that it is almost impossible to procure this
sort of evidence, except the voyages have been
recent ; not only for the reasons I have given in my
former Paper, but because I find, that if the Ship's
Journal is not wanted b^ the owners in a year or two
(which seldom happens) it is afterward considered
as waste paper.

Without the least impeachment also of the know-
ledge in navigation of the Greenland Masters, when
they are in the actual pursuit of fish, they do not
trouble themselves about their longitude or latitude ;
they are not bound by their instructions to sail to any
particular pdlht, and their only object is to catch as

•^

ON APPROACHING

V*.

^nt

V,,

:
''ink i

^';

many whales as possible ; the ahip^s situation there-
fore, at such time, becomes a matter of perfect indif-
ference. It will appear, however, that they not only
keep their reckonings, but observe, when they are
not thus employed in fishing.

Having made these previous remarks, I shall now
proceed to lay before the Society such instances of
navigators having penetrated beyond BOi% as I have
happmied to procure since the reading of my former
Paper on this subject, in May last.

James Hutton (then belonging to the ship London,
Captain Guy) was, thirty years ago, in North latitude
8U% as both the Captain and Mate informed him ;
but did not observe himself. A very intelligent sea-
officer was so good as to take from him this account,
together with the following particulars, which per-
haps may be interesting to Greenland Navigators.

Hutton hath been employed in the Whale Fishery
nearly these forty years, during which he hath been
several times at the Seven Isleinds, and the Waygat
Straits. In some of these voyages the sea hath been
perfectly clear from ice, and at other times it hath
set in so rapidly towards the Waygat,"^ as to oblige
the vessels which happened to be thereabouts to
force all sail possible to escape being inclosed.

This hardy old tar likewise supposes that he hath
been farther up the Waygat than perhaps any person
Dow living; for he was once in a ship which attempted

* The Weighgatt ie so called from the wind which blows through
this Strait, {wethen, to blow) because a strong Southwest wind
Another name for it is Hindelopen^-See Martens's

blows out of it
Voyage, p. 37

.W^

4.-

■m

*•

% ^'

i; . \

/ u

THE NORTH POLE.

4 ^'

f-*'

to pass through it, nor did the Master desist, till they
shoaled the water to three fathoms, when the sea
was so clear, that they could distinguish the bottom
from the deck.

Mr. John Phillips, now Master of the Exeter, but
then Mate of the Loyal Club, in the year 1752,
reached North latitude 81' and several minutes by
observation, which circumstance was confirmed by
another person on board the Exeter last summer, on
her return from the Greenland Fishery. Captain
Phiiffips added, that it was very eommm to fish in such'
latitudes. - y ^^

^: Mr. George Ware, now living at Erith in Kent,
served as chief Mate in the year 1754, on board the
Sea Nymph, Captain James Wilson, when, at the
latter end of June, they sailed, through floating ice
from 74** to 81"; but having then proceeded beyond
the ice they pursued the whales to 82** 15', which
latitude was determined by Mr. Ware's own ob-
servation. <.. ^■

As the sea was now perfectly cliear, as far as he
could distinguish with his best glasses, both Mr.
Ware and Captain Wilson had a strong inclination to
push farther towards the Pole; but the common
sailors hearing of suck their intention, remonstrated,
that if they should be able to proceed so far, the ship
would fall into pieces, as the Pole would draw all the
iron-work out of her.

On this Captain Wilson and Mr. Ware desisted, as
the crew had these very singular apprehensions;
especially as they had no whales in sight to the
Northward, which alone would justify the attempt to

;■#

% ^i^r

py;i.

a\r

^-fi

* i

.r^.<

■'#•

Jw' ', *ji

..Jtv..

~-;^^S^i 0ilMS*^.

■r<^ tiJaiM^hB^-

ON APPROACHING

(

their owners.* It need scarcely be observed, how-
ever, that the notion which prevailed among the
crew shows, that the commoh seamen on board the
Greenland ships conceive, that the sea is open to the
Pole ; they would otherwise have objected on account
of the ice being supposed to increase. It should
seem also, that the practicability of reaching the
Pole is a point which they often discuss among
themselves.

In tfUs same year and month, Mr. John Adams (who
now is master of a flourishing academy at Waltham
Abbey, in Essex) was on board the Unicorn, Captain
Guy, when they anchored in Magdalena Bay,t on
the Western coast of Spitzbergen and North latitude
79" 35'. "l

They continued in this Bay for three or four days, ^
and then stood to the Southward, when the wind?
freshening from that quarter, but the weather foggy,
they proceeded with an easy sail for four days,
expecting to meet with fields of ice, to which they
might make fast ; but they did not encounter so much'
as a piece that floated. On the fifth day the wind
veered to the Westward, the weather cleared up, and
Mr« Adams had a good observation (the sun above
the Pole)| by which he found himself three degrees

* This circumstance of not seeing any whales in that direction
accounts for Captain Guy's desisting, in the following instance, from
sailing to the Northward, as also in many others which I shall have
occasion to state.

t The Greenland Masters most commonly call this Bay Mac-
Helena. '

X Theold navigators to these parts call this a South Sun. ; ' ^

to the N<
latitude I

Gaptai
been so I
up to th
chief mat
Adams, i
they saw
Atlantic
all, that

The si
hours aft
servatior
tude wa
Adams i
which, h
on his fi
Seas.

In the
merchan
then Ma
during tl
tude 83°
ter infori
much to
the Nort

In 176

was driv

t minutes,

was bes<

told me

■«•■

iif..

■• M.

>■>

TH£ NORTH POLE.

to the Nortliward of Hakluyf s Headland, or in North
latitude 83°.

Captain Guj now declared, that he had never
been so far to the Northward before, and crawled
up to the maintopmast head, accompanied by the
chief mate, whilst the second mate, together with Mr.
Adams, went to the foretopmast head, from whence
they saw a sea as free from ice as any part of the
Atlantic Ocean, and it was the joint opinion of them
all, that they might have reached the North Pole.

The ship then stood to the Southward, and twelve
hours afterward Mr. Adams had a second good ob-
servation (the sun beneath the Pole) when their lati-
tude was 82** 3'. In both these observations, Mr.
Adams made an allowance of 5' for the refraction,
which, he says, was his captain^s rule, who was now
on his fifty-ninth or sixtieth voyage to the Greenland
Seas.

In the year 1756, Mr. James Montgomery, now a
merchant in Prescot-Street, Goodman^s Fields, but
then Master of the Providence, followed the whales
during the month of June, till he reached North lati-
tude 83°, by observation. Another Greenland Mas-
ter informs me, that he remembers well the ice packed
much to the Westward, but that the sea was open to
the Northward during that summer.

In 1762, David Boyd, then mate of the brig Beftsy,

was driven by a gale of wind from 79° to 82°, odd

I minutes, by observation ; during all which time he

was beset in ice. A Greenland Master has likewise

told me, that he recollects many other ships were

^■% ^

K^,

*:■:•'

^^ •.•«»»

='«fcPsige'^

-m

Olf APPROACHING

'n-

driven to th« Northeast from their fishing stations
during that season.

Mr. Jonathan Wheatley, now Master of a Green-
land ship, was in 1766 off Hakluyt^s Headland,^
whence, not meeting with success, he sailed North-
west to 81i% in which latitude he could see no ice in
any direction whatsoever from the mast head, though
there was a very heavy sea from the Northeast.

Mr. Wheatley also informs me, that whilst he was
off the coast of Greenland, three Dutch Captains told
him, that a ship of their nation had been in 89", and
they all supposed, that the sea in such a latitude
might be as free from ice as where they were fishing.
This account probably alludes to the Dutch man of
war, on board of which Dr. Dallie happened to be,
the circumstances of which voyage I have stated in
my former Paper.

This same Captain is so thoroughly persuaded of
being able to approach the Pole, that he will attempt
it whenever an opportunity offers of doing it, without
prejudice to his owners. On such a voyage of dis-
covery, he would not wish a lai^r vessel than one
of ninety ton8,t nor more than ten hands. I find,
indeed, that this is the size of the ships in which
most of the early navigators attempted to proceed far
to the Northward. ■• , •

* He was Aeii on board a ship called the Grampas.

t Clipperton reached China in a bait not much exceeding ten
tons, as did ako Funnell, in another such vessel. — Cadlander, vol.
iii. p. 223.

^•*.'

.^ ,-11 *^

TUf: NORTH POLS.

itationfi

Green-
dland/

North-
ice in

though
It.

le was
lins told
\9f*, and
latitude

fishing.

man of
I to be,
tated in

laded of
attempt
without
( of dis-
lian one
I find,
1 which
ceed far

iecling ten
inder, vol,

In 1769, Mr. John Thew, now Master of a Green- %
land Ship called tWHising Sun, was in North lati-
tude 82% and one hundred leagues to the West of
Hakluyt's Headland. The circumstances by which
he supposed himself to have been in this situation,
were stated to me in the presence of a very able sea
officer, who told me afterward that he was perfectly
satisfied with the accuracy of his account.

Captain John Clarke, of the Sea Horse, at the
latter end of June, 1773, sailed from the Headland
North Northeast to 8U% which he computed by his
run from the Headland in eighteen hours, having lost
tight of it. At this time there was an open sea to the
Northward, and such a swell from the Northeast,
that the ship would not stay, being under her double
reefed topsails, whilst the wind blew fresh.

During this run from the Headland, Mr. Clarke fell
in with Captain Robinson in 81** 20', whom I men-
tioned in my former Paper as having reached 81i
in the same month and year, by a very accurate
observation.

This same Captain Robinson, on the 26th of June
last, passed by Hakluyt's Headland, lying off and on
for several days, during which he was sometimes a
degree to the Northward of it, and till the 20th of
July following, there was no obstruction to his pro-
ceeding Northward ; to which, however, he had no
inducement, as he caught two large whales in this
latitude.*

* The Second Part of Martens'a Voyage (who received certain
queries from the Roysd Society) begins almost by saying, "We
sailed to the 81st degree, and no ship ventured fartiier that year/'
viz. 1671. ;i|

*Mt.

•«t.

^H-

ON APPROACHING

i*'

Captain John Reed, of the RocKin^hamf also in
July last, pursued some whald^fiileen leagues to the
Northward of the Headland, and confirms Captain
Robinson^s last account, by saying, he could then see
no ice from his mast head.

Captain Reed was brought up in the Greenland
fishery, and remembers well, that whilst on board his
father's ship, the Thistle, the mate told him, that
they had reached 81" 42', when there was indeed a
good deal of ice, but full room to sail in any direction.
Mr. Reed likewise hath informed me, that about
fifteen years ago, a Dutch Captain (whose name was
Hans Derrick) told him, whilst they were together in
the Greenland Seas, that he had been in North lati-
tude 86** when there were only some small pieces of
floating ice to be seen. Hans Derrick moreover
added, that there were then five ships in company,
which took, one with another, eighteen small whales.
I have great reason to expect several other instan-
ces of the same kind, in a short time, fi>om the dif-
ferent ports of this kingdom where there is any con-
siderable Greenland trade: I shall not, however,
trouble the Sojciety with them, till I know whether
they would wi^h any farther information on this head.
I shall now recapitulate the different latitudes
which have been reached by the several navigators
whose names I have mentioned in this and my
former Paper. I shall also take credit for nearly a
degree to the Northward of their several situations,
because the blink or glare of the packed ice is to be
distingpished at this distance, when the weather is^
tolerably feir.

Capta
Capta

t
Capta
Jamet

I
Capta
Clunj
Mr. C
Mr.

Mr.

Five

Capts

Relat
Dutcj

* This
nerer, pe

f'ftf&V

» '

HI*

THE NORTH POtl. " 61

Captain John Reed 80* 46^.

Captain Thonuu Robinson (for three weeks

together) 81®.

Captain John Phillips 81 odd mi.

James Button, Jonathan Wheatley, Thomas

Robinson, John Clarke (four instances) 81* SO.

Captain Cheyne and Thew (two instances) . 82°.

Cluny and David Boyd (two instances) . . 82* odd mi.

, Mr. George Wpxe 82° 16'

' Mr. John Adams and Mr. James Montgomery

(two instances) 83°.

Mr. James Watt, Lieutenant in the Royal

Navy - 83° 30'.

Five ships in company with Hans Derrick . . 86°*

Captain Johnson and Dr. Dallie (two instan-
ces; to which, perhaps, may be added
Captain Monson, as a third) 88°.

Relation of the two Dutch Masters to Captain

Goulden* 89°.

Dutch relation to Mr. Grey 89° 3Cf.

n^IJ^ES BARBIJ^GTOJiT, F.R.S.

* This instance, however, hath before been relied upon, though
aever, perhaps, circumstantially stated, but by Captain Wood.

M ;■<

■\

• 4

'■*

• «% . -.1

, ,1 >• ,

V .■*,.

S*^

POSTSCRIPT.

■^ ■■&.■

: :, u -H.

»w4^'

ife;.

January 8, 1775.

Having procured the three following instanceB
before the reading of my Paper was finiehed, it may
not be improper to add them in a PoBtscript.

f n Harrises Voyages* is the following passage :—
** By the Dutch Journals they get into North latitude
8{f 56', and the sea open/*

I have, within these few days, asked Dr. Campbell,
the very able compiler of these voyages, upon what
authority he inserted this account ? who informs me,
that he received it from Holland about thirty years
ago, as being an extract from the Journals produced
to the States General in 1665, on tlie application for
a discovery of the Northeast passage to Japan, which
was frustrated by the Dutch East-India Company.

In the Journal des Sgavans, for the month of October
1774,t is likeidse the following paragraph : —

»' To these instances, produced by Mr. Barrington**
(of navigators having reached high Northern lati-
tudes,) ** our countrymen" (viz. the Dutch) " could
add many others. An able officer in the English
service hath in his custody the Journals of a Green-
land ship, wherein he hath remarked, that in the
month of May he had penetrated as far as 82** 20',
when the sea was

Vol.

open.

ii. page 453.

t Part ii. page 503.

...«.

^*-

;,^^ ■iS'l

'/-3^'*

ON APPROACHING

ST.

My third and last instance is that of Captain
Bateson, who sailed in 1773 from Liverpool, in a
ship called the Whale, on the Greenland Fishery,
and who, on June 14, reached North latitude 82° 15',
computed by his run back to Hakluyt's Headland*
As this happened so recently, Captain Bateson (as
well as many of the other Masters, whose accounts I
h^ve before mentioned) hath his Journal to produce,
if it should be required.

This seems to be the strongest confirmation of both
Captain Robinson and Captain darkens having been,
during this same year and month, in 8li°; as also of
their having met each other in 81** 20', according to
what I have already stated.

I must not lose this same opportunity of laying
before the Society the information which I have just
now received from M. de Bufibn, in relation to what
I have cited from his Natural History of Captain
Monson^s having reached North latitude 88% ^^ cts he
was told b^ persons of credit,''^ *; ,

Upon my taking the liberty to inquire, who those
persons of credit were ? M. de Bufibn refers me to Dr.
Nathan Hickman, who, in 1730, travelled as one of
Dr. RatclifTs fellows ;t and who supposed that Cap-
tain Monson'fl Journal might have been at that time
procured in England. M. de Buiibn also recollects,
that a Dutchman was then present, and confirmed
the account.

* His inducement to proceed so far North was the pursuit of whales.
I hare shown the extracts from Captain Bateson's Journal to a very
able sea officer, who is perfectly satisfied with the accuracy of it.

t He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1730.

Whil

addition
in high
answers
Seas fr
which 1:
the pub

i?j«

March

Hi;

•v

FiK
theP<

AnE
of 84"

#«.

.. ■^■

^*'i

'■*.'..

[ptaih
in a
[herj,

land*
(as
ints I
luce,

^ "

THE NORTH P0IJ2.

ADDITIONAL PAPEB8

■i-.»-

.,^s

WtLOU

*t.

HULL.

» 9 «

M,A^^. .-v

A^HILST I was waiting in expectation of several
additional instances of Dutch ships, which had been
in high Northern latitudes, I received the following
answers to certain Queries relative to the Greenland
Seas from a very eminent Merchant of Hull, and
which he is so obliging as to permit me to lay before
the public.

D. B-

March 31, 1775.

fi>...y,:-'' .

» « «

l$i

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN HALL,

*5^ '*■■■ ,«'

THE KING OF PRUSSIA.

First Query. How near hath any ship approached
the Pole?

Answer. I have known ships go into the latitude
of 84** North, and did not hear of any difficulty they

W"" ■^

,)«^

■t*

:%■

'^•■

*#^"

ON APPROACHING

met with ; but it is not often that the ice will permit

them to go so far North.

N. B. On inquiring of Captain Hall what ships he
had known proceed bo far? He replied, they
were some Dutch ships he heard ha^ done so,
but knew no particulars. •

Second Q. When are the Polar Seas most free
from ice ?

A. The seas are most incumbered with ice from
about thejst of September to the 1st of June follow-
ing; and, in consequence, between the 1st of June
and September, the ice lieth farthest from Spitz-
bergen. And I know no other precaution to be taken,
respecting the Pole, than that they must watch the
opportunity when the ice lieth farthest from the land.

Thiid Q. How far to the Southward have you
first sken ice? , . »

A. In the space of twenty years I have twice
known that we met with the ice in the latitude of
74" 30' North, and could not find a passage to the
Northward till the month of July, and then got into
the latitude of 78** with much difficulty, in running
through the openings of great bodies of ice; and
some years we find a passage to the latitude 79 and
80° North, without much difficulty from the ice. Some
years I have known ships go round the North part of
Spitzbergeny. and so come out between Nova Zembla
and the South part of Spitzbergen ; but this passage
is seldom to be found free from ice.

Fourth
whilst oflf
A. N<
frosty; b
with all
August,
milder, b
The win

The

proceed

attemptc

opportui

most lik

the mon

commor

to be fo

is open,

from tl

known

ward, i

with tl

leave i

N.B.

oftl

■:4^ -^l

Fir
Nortl

,■ #

'*f

».* „ . -ij,

•yf V '^ «# JH «>' »> .>^~

permit

st free

THE NORTH POLE.

MtJi^^ui.

Fourth Q. From what quarter is the wind coldest
whilst off Spitzbergen?

A. Northerly and East Northeast winds are most
frosty; but snow and frost we have very common
with all winds, except during part of June, July, and
August. If the winds be Southerly the weather is
milder, but subject to snow- sleet, and thick weather.
The winds, currents, and the ice, are very variable.

The opinion of the old seamen is, that we may
proceed farther North than ever has been yet
attempted ; but this must be done with caution. An
opportunity is to be watched for in those seas. The
most likely time for such discoveries to be made is in
the months of July and August, when the ice is most
commonly farthest from the land ; but some years not
to be found open at all from the land. And when it
is open, they must observe the ice to lay a long way
from the North part of Spitzbergen; for I have
known ships that made attempts to go to the North-*
ward, and before they returned back the ice set in
with the land, so that they have been obliged to
leave the ships to the East of Spitzbergen.
N. B. The ice always sets in with the land the back

of the year.

-f'ii

,• . '.Jf-jt.

II.

vH ^

,.u FROM CAPTAIN HUMPHRY FORD,

THE MANCHESTER.

First. I was once as high as the latitude 81* 30'
North, in the ship Dolphin of Newcastle, in the year

■ x

.\. . ^-^.,

..•'.■«i'^

f o

^•.,

♦*

"i-

ON APkROACHlNO

1759 or 66, and have been several times since as high
as the latitude 81° in the ships Annabella and Man-
chester, in which latitude I never met with any un-
common circumstances, but such as I have met with
in the latitudes 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79" j if to the
Westward, I was commonlj incumbered with large
quantities of ice.

Second. I suppose that the Greenland Seas are
most i '^cumbered with ice in the months of Decem-
ber, January, February, ana March ; for in the latter
part of April, and the first of May, the ice generally
begins to separate and open ; and in the months of
June and July we generally find the Greenland Seas
most clear of ice.

Third. The only precaution to be taken, in order
to proceed towards the Pole, is to fit out two strong
ships that are handy and sail fast, well equipped, and
secured in the manner of those that are generally ^
sent to Greenland on the Whale Fishery. Such
ships should be manned with about forty able seamen
in each, and victualled for about eighteen months or
two years, and be entirely under the command of
some expert, able, and experienced seaman, who has
fi'equented those seas for some time past They
should sail from England about the middle of April,
in order to be in with the edge of the ice about the
10th of May, when it begins to separate and open.

Fourth. There is not the least reason to suppose,
that the seas to the West, Northwest, and North of

Spitzberg

petual ic<

of the wi

Northerly

and sepa

amongst

attempte

N.B.

but ai

there

%bergei

i gen

and sno

mild w«

appear

land, cj

the win

mostly 1

give str<

It is

some y

not, th

quantit

1 an
theQ

tions ^

% . '^^^

-Wli.

'««*

[as high
Man-
iny un-
it with
to the
large

kf^

' 1

■4

5'-

THE NORTH POLE.

Spitzbergen are covered with permanent and per-
petual ice, so as never to be opened by the operation
of the windis; for daily experience shows us, that a
Northerly wind, when of any long duration, opens
and sepTurates the ice, so as to admit the ships going
amongst it in sundry places to a very high latitude, if
attempted.

N. B. I never was to the Eastward of Spitzbergen;
but am of opinion, that the ice is much the same
there as to the North and Northwesf of Spitz-
bergen.

,1 generally find, that Northerly winds bring frost
and snow ; on the contrary, Southerly winds bring
mild weather and rain; but none of those winds
appear to be periodical, except close in with the
land, called Fair Foreland, where 1 generally find
the winds in the months of June and July to blow
mostly from South Southwest, and very often exces-
sive strong.

It is my opinion, by observing the above, that in
some years ships might sail very nigh the Pole; if
not, the impracticability must arise from the large
(quantity of ice that lies in those seas.

in.

FROM CAPTAIN RALPH DALE,

THE ANN AND ELIZABETH.

I am willing to give you my opinion, in regard to
the Queries received of you, so far as my observa-
tions will justify. ^ V 'pi

* . "Tit

. !

V*-" I

i,t.

■^

¥?

ON APPROACHINO

First. In the year 1773, I sailed North 81% when
I was much incommoded with large fields of ice, but
the air was not sensibly different there firom what I
found it a few more degrees Southerly.

Second. I have for many years used the Green-
land Fishery ; and have, by experience, found those
seas the least incumbered with ice betwixt the fore-
part of May till July.

Third. The same year I sailed to the latitude
above mentioned, I found in May, to the West of
Spitzbergen, a fine open sea, the wind then blowing
Southwest, and the sea (as far as I could observe

fi'om the mast-head) was little incumbered with ice,'
which fully convinced me that there was a probability
of proceeding to a very high latitude.

Fourth. I have observed, that let the wind blow
from what quarter it will, it is at times impregnated
with frost, snow, Sic. ; but when most so I am not
able to determine. As for rain, I do not recollect
ever seeing any there. The weather I have generally
found mildest when the wind blows Southerly. As
for periodical winds, I do not suppose there are any
in Greenland.

FRO

In rega

say is, it

be accoi

by going

myself hi

reached

tude, an

nothing

fore, is,

that waj

Compan

tude, ar

with not

to the TV

the win

rain ant

latter ei

ward ai

Northw

the ice

any tia

land; i

central

\-.

rUil:-.^ VI"' m'K

about ni

"*■'

1- /■

THE NORTH POLE:

when
ce, but
what I

Green-
those
le fore-

atitude
ieat of
•lowing
'bserve
ith ice,'
>abilitj

I blow
gnated
wn not
collect
lerally
7' As
re any

IV.

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN GREENSHAW.

In regard to the Queries sent to me, all I have to
say is, that if a passage to the North Pole is ever to
be accomplished, my opinion is, it must be obtained
by going betwixt Greenland and Nova ZembIa, as I
myself have been to the Westward of Greenland, and
reached bo far to the Northward as 82° of North lati-
tude, and to the North and Northwest of that, found
nothing but a solid body of ice : my opinion, there-
fore, is, that it is impossible ever to obtain a passage
that way. Captain Jolm Cracroft, in the South Sea
Company's time,* was once so far as 83" North lati-
tude, and to the Northward of Greenland, and met
with nothing but a solid field of ice. And in regard
to the winds and weather, it freezes continually ; but
the wind from the Southward doth commonly bring
rain and thick foggy weather, which is chiefly in the
latter end of June and July. If you are to the North-
ward and Westward of Greenland the wind from the
Northwest and North Northwest, doth always open
the ice ; but at the same time, if it come to blow
any time from that quarter, packs it close in with the
land ; and the winds from the Southward have the
contrary effect.

M^(

-^'

J^-Va-

The South Sea Company sent a small number of ships, for

about nine

years,

on the Greenland Fisbcrv.

.^...,\^..,^,

^'^

:|iL

'i^t'*

-""**-*" j"**-*^

.^''

•lr%

ON APFROACHINU

V.
THE QUERIES ANSWERED

■T -

ANDREW FISHER,

, MASTER OF A GREENLAND SHIP AT HULL,
Who hat been twetUy-four voyages from England to the GreenUmd Seat.

First. Said Andrew Fisher says, that in the year
1746, being on board the ship Ann and Elizabeth
from London, on a voyage to the Greenland Seas, he
steered from Hakluyt's Headland in Spitzbei^en
North and Northwest in clear water till they were in
latitude 82** ^4', where they met with a loose pack of
ice, and made their fishery, or otherwise they might
have got through that loose ice, and doubt not, but
thati they might have gone considerably farther
North; they returned, however, in clear water to
Spitzbergen.

. Second. Best seasons of the year are, to be at or
near Spitzbergen from the 15th of May to the 1st of
June, though the years difier, and the laying of the
ice exceedingly : some years it is not possible to get
North of 80** ; at other times you may meet with very
little ice, which is chiefly owing to the weather in
winter, and the winds in April and May.

Third. There is not any reason to suppose, that
there is any permanent ice, either North or West of
Spitzbergen, so far as 90**; and it hath b«en always

found,<^j
there is no
set fast t(
the South
of Ameri<
apd Spitz
proportioi
The lan^
Greenlan(
it is not s(
away to t]
many, thi

Fourth
winds br
and two-t
10th of J<
weather,
thick fog

Fifth.
North N
so contri
and the
verance,
meet wi

iH'.

V . SIR,

ship at

■-;. ,,.^' ■■<'*;•

1* ir-

THE NORTH POLE.

iland Seat.

the year

llizabeth

Seas, he

zbergen

were in

pack of

ej might

not, but

' farther

/rater to

be at or
le 1st of
^ of the
le to get
ith very
ither in

se, that

iVest of

always

S r.*

found, ^y able and experienced navigators, that
there is not near the quantity of ice, nor so liable to
set fast to the North of Spitzbergen, as there is to
the South of 80° as far as 74% owing to the continent
of America (called Gallampus Land by the sailors)
and Spitzbergen, which makes a narrow passage in
proportion to what it is to the North of Spitzbergen.
The land of America is sometimes seen by our
Greenland Traders from latitude 74" to 76"; and, as
it is not seen any farther North, is supposed to round
away to the Northwest, which makes it imagined by
many, that there is not any land near the Pole.

Fourth. South winds bring most snow; North
winds bring frost ; but that is in the month of April
and two-thirds of May; after that time, to the 1st or
10th of July, it is in general mild, fine, clear, sunshine
weather, and winds variable ; after that again, often
thick fogs and high winds.

Fifth. It is very possible, by steering North or
North Northeast by the ship^s compass, (if it can be
so contrived as to have the card on the needle steady,
and the winds prove favourable,) with a little perse-
verance, a ship may get near the Pole, if they do not
meet with rocks.

VI.

.i '.1>^«|,.

SIR,

In the year 1766, trade being dull, I fitted a
ship at my sole expense to the Greenland ,_eas ; and

1 1

:V-

%-.

-.*,j,jiM'*(- *«-"*■ ••*«3l^ 4

-A^^..rr

•^.

ON APniOACHIir«

tiie said ship returned with one fish, eleven feet bone.
Finding the trade could be conducted better in pri-
vate hands than a company^s, I was induced to send
a second ship in 1767, and as I had other concerns
in shipping, thought it most prudent (being brought
up to the sea, and having made an easy fortune from
it) to go a voyage to the Greenland Seas, to see with
my own eyes what chance there might be of making
or losing a fortune. So sailed from Hull the 14th
^ay of April, in my ship British Queen, with an old
{Experienced Master, and on the 24th and 25th of
April was in the latitude of 72% catching seals amongst
great quantities of loose ice. As we did not choose
to stay in that latitude, we made the best of our way
North ; and after sailing through loose ice, which is
commonly the case, about the 6th of May we were
as far North as latitude 80** (which is near what the
Masters call a fishing latitude) and about fifteen leagues
West of Hakluyt^s Headland. I found the farther
North the less quantity of ice ; and from the inquiry
I made, both from the English and Dutch, which was
very considerable, there is a great probability of
shipi^ going to the Pole, if not stopped by meeting
land or rocks. It appeared to me, that the narrowest
place in those seas was betwixt Spitzbergen and the
American shore, where the current is observed to
come always from the North, which fills this narrow
place with ice, but in general loose and floating in
(he summer, though I believe congealed and perma-
nent in winter. Thpse from whom I inquired inform-
ed me, that the sea was abundantly clearer to the
North of Spitzbergen, and the farther North, the

^A*^'-

THE NORTH POLE.

feet bone.
ler in pri^
to send
concerng
brought
:une from
see with
|f making
the 14th
th an old
1 25th of
s amongst
ot choose
four yray
which is
we were
what the
Jn leagues
le farther
>e inquiry
t^hich was
ability of
meeting
arrowest
I and the
erved to
narrow
>ating in
! perma-
inform-
r to the
th, the

clearer. This seems to prove a wide ocean and a
great opening to the North, as the current comes
from thence, that fills this passage as aforesaid. The
best method of reaching the highest latitude, in my
opinion, is, to hire two vessels of about two hundred
and fifty tons burthen each, and if done on a frugal
scheme, the same ships might be fitted for the whale
fishery, and premiums given both for the use of the
ship and crew, in proportion to their approach to the
Pole, which, for many circumstances that may inters
vene, might be two or three years before they could
complete their wishes. And it is more likely they
might make their fishery sooner than to the South-
ward ; as, if they met with ice, the fish would be
undisturbed ; if clear water and a good wind, they
very soon might reach the Pole. What I mean by
two vessels is, one to foresail the other at the dis«
tance of three or four leagues, as the latter may
avoid the dangers the first might run into; and to be
always ready, on seeing and hearing proper signals^
to aid and assist, and by that means secure a retreat.
I am also of opinion, that such ships being sent on
discoveries are much more likely to succeed than his
Majesty^s ships and officers. The above hints I have •
pointed out for your consideration ; and, if I cap be
of any farther service, may command,

Sir,
i , t Your most humble Servant,

SAM. STANDIDGB>

WuUy March 4, 1774.

.^i.;rf»-

'«i^

ON APPROACHING

I take this oppoi'tuiiity of laying before the Public
the following letter from Captain Marshall, Master of
ft Greenland shipv to Captain Heath of the 4lBt
Regiment, who formerly made two voyages to
Spitzbergen.

i.^ttl

SIR,

I.; In compliance with your request of Wednes-
day last, I acquaint you, that six years ago I was as
high as 82" 30' North latitude, by observation, which
is the highest I have ever been in ; at that time I was
Mate of the Royal Exchange Greenlandman, of New-
castle. I do not know of any one who has been in a
higher degree ; but it has been reported at Newcastle
(with what truth I cannot say) that Captain Green-
shaw, of London, had told his friends, that he had
been as high North as 84^

The Dutch, I have been informed, have proceeded
to 83** 30'; but I have it only by hearsay.

In respect to your second Query, I remember, that
about five years since, when I was Master of the
above-mentioned ship, I was in 81" North latitude,
by observation, when there was a clear sea to the
Northward, as far as the eye could reach from the mast
head ; and I could not help observing to my people,
that if it had happened that we were then upon dis-
covery, we might have had a fine run to the North,
as the wind blew fresh at South. The like clear sea
I have observed several times during the time I have
been in the Greenland service, which is now about
twenty-one years. I have no doubt but that a navi-
gator might reach a higher latitude than I have been

ill, provi
rents an
took the
remarke
Englanc
great d<
mer tha
bly fine
cxpectt
duce a
an opp<
But
very hi
should
would
along
from \
monthi
gotou

I'llE NORTH POLE.

Public
faster oi'
(he 41 St
iges to

ednes-
was as
♦ which
>e I was
ofNew-
ien in a
wcastle
Green-
he had

)ceeded

■ *,
er, that

of the
atitude,

to the
Fie mast
people,
on dis-
North,
Jar sea
I have

about
' navi-

been

ill, provided he was well acquainted wilh the cur-
rents and the ice, (for much depends thereon,) and
took the advantage of a favourable season. I havo
remarked, that when the frost has been severe in
England, and to the Southward,* there has been a
great deal less ice to the Northward the ensuing sum-
mer than usual ; and the weather has been remarka-
bly fine in Greenland. I have, for this reason, great
expectations that the approaching season will pro-
duce a successful fishery, and that it will also afibrd
an opportunity for a trial to reach the Pole.t ^

But the greatest difficulty attending a navigator in
very high latitudes, is how to get back agaui, for,
should he be beset there in the ice, his situation
would be very dangerous ; for he might be detained '
a long time, if not for the whole winter. I speak this
from experience, for I was once beset for three
months, and was given up for lost, and with difficulty
got out.

* I conceive that this arises from the ice becoming of a greater
thickness during such severe winters, and consequently cannot be so
soon broken up, or observed by the Greenland ships, which return
to the Southward, before the ice can have floated to them in thf:
Spitsbergen Seas. ^

" '. C \C' ' .,

t I am sorry to hare been informed, since the Bill for promoting
biscoveries passed, that the attempts to penetrate to the Northward
will not be so frequent as I had flattered myself; because, most of
the Greenland vessels being ensured, if any accident should happen
to a ship which is not prosecuting the Whale Fishery, the owners
will not be entitled to recover.

*■»•'•

ON APPROACHING

I I

Any farther information in respect to the land, the
currents, ice, or other particulars, you may wish to
have, I shall very readily communicate it, and am,
Sir,
Your very humble Servant,

JAMES MARSHALL. ,

jVo. 6, Spring-Street, Shadwell^
Fxiltruary 26, 1776.

Cap^in Heath, to whom I am indebted for this
communication, also informs me, that on the 15th
of December, 1777, he minuted the following particu-
lars from a person employed in the whale fishery.

•■'■h'fX-'^s'^'f:-

"That being on boai'd the Prince Frederick of
Liverpool in 1765, commanded by James Bisbrown,
he reached the latitude of 83** 40*, where he was
beset in ice for three weeks, to the Southward, but
that he saw, during this time, an open sea to the
North." .. . .

■0:

'^mm:

v^(»i*' \

The Astronomer Royal having b^eft so good as to
furnish me with the following memorandum, which he
made at the time it bears date, I here subjoin it, as
a well-authenticated instance of a navigator^s having
reached 84^** of Northern latitude.

.■K ^**V^ ..

"Mr. Stephens, who went many voyages to the
East Indies, and made much use of the lunar method
of finding the longitude, in which he is very expert,

'■fir-

:/><"'■

J %>

THE NORTH POLE.

I 'and, the
wish to
id am,

[ALL.

for this
the 15th
particu-
leiy. -

erick of
isbrown,
he was
*rd, but
to the

d as to
iuch he
I it, as
having

to the
lethod
Xpert,

telle me, this 16th of March, 1773, that he was form-
erly two voyages on the Greenland fishery ; that, in
the second, in the year 1754, he was driven off Spitz-
bergen, together with a Dutch ship, by a .South
Southeast wind, North Northwesterly by compass into
latitude 844% or within 54" of the Pole, in which lati-
tude he was near the end of the month of May. They
saw no land after leaving Hackluyt's Headland (or
the Northernmost part of Spitzbergen,) and were
back in the month of June. Did not find the cold
excessive, and used little more than common cloth-
ing; met with but little ice, and the less the far-
ther they went to the Northward: met with no drift-
wood. It is always clear weather with a North wind,
and thick weather with a Southerly wind ; neverthe-
less they could take the sun^s altitude for the latitude
most days. The sea is quite smooth among the ice,
as in the river Thames, and so they also found it to
the North of Spitzbergen. Met with no ice higher
than the ship^s gunnel. Imagines it would hardly
have been colder under the Pole than they expe-
rienced it; although he thinks the cold rather
increased on going Northward. Thinks the currents,
are very variable, and have no certain or constant
direction. Says he has often tasted the ice, when
the sea water has been let to run or dry off it, and
always found it fresh. That the sea water will freeze
against the ship^s bows and rigging, but he never
saw it freeze in the ship. That it never freezes in
the pumps. A little piece of ice detained under a
large piece of ice, when it gets loose from it and
^ornes up to the surface of the water, is very danger-^

^ I

ON APPROACHIirC

1^.

ous, it emerging with a force which will sometimes
knock a hole in the bottom of the ship. The Dutch
ship which was driven with theirs from Spitzbergen,
ran against a large piece of ice, and was lost, the
ships being therf separated to a considerable dis-
tance. The winds in these seas are generally
Northerly ; the Southerly winds are commonly damp
anl cold."

Having thus stated the memorandum as I received
it from Dr. Maskelyne, I shall now make some obser-
vations on the contents.

It appears by the preceding pages, that, in this
same year, viz. 1754, both Mr. Ware and Mr. Adams**
sailed to 82F and 83° during the month of June, and
both of them conceived that they might have reached
the North Pole.

Mr. Maister, by letter from Hull, dated February
24, 1777, hath procured me the following information
from a friend of his, who, at my desire, inquired at
Whitby with regard to any ships having reached high
Northern latitudes. ^.. . ^

" Captain Brown of the Freelove says, that, in the
year 1770, he was certainly in 82° North latitude,
when the water was clear. Captain Cole also of the
Henrietta says, that in 1776, he was near the latitude
of 81° North, and afler he was certain of being in th£^t
latitude, he was, with strong Southeast gales, drove
for three days to the Northward, but as he had thick

* See the Probability of rebelling the North Pole, p. 42, &c.

weatherJ
of this dj

Itappj
phens
open to I
year.

Froi

I cannot

early in

before e

the CO

rivers,

sea, it

time of

rivers

other i

bly th<

prece^

Ano

1778,

ed at

of thi

land

ward

same

sians

wha

#
and

wMjfft* a**^ ■"*'•*•"■ *"\1

.tf-;^.-*!-. --_-.. ■

«i

THE NORTH POLE.

kmetimes
^e Dutch
Izbergen,
Most, the
^ble dis-
[eneralljr
yy damp

eceived
' obser-

in this
^dams*
ie» and
cached

ibruary
mation
ired at
Jdhigh

in the

itude,

of the

titude

nthf^t

Jrove

thick

;c.

weather, the distance was uncertain. In the course
of this drift he met with nothing but loose ice.**

It appears also by the above account, that Mr. Ste-
phens had proceeded as far as 84i% the sea being
open to the Northward a month earlier, in this same
year.

From this, and other facts of the same kind,
I cannot but infer, that the attempt should be made
early in the season ; if I am right also, in what I have
before supposed, that the ice, which often packs near
the coasts of Spitzbergen, comes chiefly from the
rivers, which empty themselves into the Tartarian
sea, it seems highly probable, that this is the proper
time of pushing to the Northward, as the ice in such
rivers cannot be then completely broken up. What
other ice therefore may be seen at this time is proba-
bly the remains of what was disembogued during the
preceding summer.

Another proof of this arises from what happened in
1778, for the Carcase and Race Horse were obstruct-
ed at 80^% by an immense bank of ice, during part
of the months of July and August; but four Green-
land Masters were a degree farther to the North-
ward during the months of May and June, in the
same year.*

No one winters in Spitzbergen, but some few Rus-
sians, from whom however we have not been informed
what happens during that season, though it should

* See the Probability of reaching the North Pole, p. 4, 45, 4G,
and 67.

' 11 .

ON APPROACHING

""S«C>Tf'^'

It
A'

.«(«■

■tii

\%-

Sv.em. ft-om the observations of Barentz, those of the
Russians in Maloy Brun, and a ship having pushed into
the Atlantic from Hudson's Bay during the midst of
December,* that the Northern Seas are then navi-
gable.

For the same reason, probably, Clipperton,t who
passed the Straits of Magellan in the midst of winter,
Haw no ice, which is so frequently met with at mid-
summer by those who sail to the Southward of Cape
Horn.

I take this opportunity of recapitulating the years
bince 1746,:]: during which it appears, from the in-
stances I have stated, that the sea to the North
of Spitzbergen hath been open, so as to permit
attempts of approaching the Pole, which will show
tha*. b.ch opportunities are not uncommon, and it is
hopedi that they will be more frequently embraced,
from a parliamentary reward of five thousand pounds
being given to such of his majesty's subjects as shall
first penetrate beyond the 89th degree of Northern
latitude; the bill for which purpose hath already
passed both Houses of Parliament.^

* See tlie Probability of reaching the North Pole, p. 83.

t Frezier was as far South as 38° in the middle of May, and saw
no ice, though he speaks of a Southeast wind as cold. — See Callan-
der's Collection of Voyages^ vol. iii. p. 461.
■ X Viz. 1746, 1751, 1762, 1754, 1756, 1769, 17C3, 1765, 1766,
1769, 1771, and 1773.

§ By the same bill, u reward of twenty thousand founds is given to
such of his majesty's subjects as shall first discover a communication
between tfte Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in any direction wbui-
iioever of Ube Northern Hemisphere.

4^ /■

ie of the

shed into

midst of

len navi-

^n,t who
^f winter,
at mid-
' of Cape

he years
the in-
e North
permit
^ill show
and it is
nbraced,
i pounds
! as shall
Vorthem
already

r, and saw
ee Callau-

r65, 1766,

is given to
nunicatioii
ion whai-

Tlffi NORTH POLE.

Ai it appears, by the two first collections of in-
stances, that I have had much conversation with
the officers of the Royal Navy, as well as masters
of Greenland ships, about a Polar Voyage, I shall
now state several hints which have occasionally
dropped from them, with regard to prosecuting
discoveries to the Northward.

The ship should be such as is commonly used in
the Greenland Fishery, or rather of a smaller size,
as it works the more readily when the ice begins to
pack round it.

There should, on no account, be a larger com-
plement of men than can be conveniently stowed in
the boats, a^ it sometimes happens, that the Green-
land vessels are lost in the ice; but the crews
generally escape by means of their boats. The
crew also should consist of a larger proportion of
smiths and carpenters than are usually put on board
common ships.

As it may happen, that the crews in boats may be
kept a considerable time before they can reach
either ship or shore, there should be a sort of
awning, to be used occuoionally, if the weather should
prove very inclement.

As it is not wanted that ihc boats should last many
years, it is advised, that they should be built of the
lightest materials, because, on this account, they
are more easily dragged over the packed ice.*

* General Oglethorpe informs me, that the Dutch vessel., on the
Greenland Fishery have three boats fastened on each side of the
tfhjp, which may be sufficient to contain the whole «;i'ew in rase of

A :

,:••<>. sJilltp

^-Tir;-

■—*•-'"-•'-■- * "I'flff— ^ — -

ON APPROACHINO

.#■

^ As it is possible, also, that the crew may be
obliged to M^inter in the Arctic Circle, it is recom-
mended, that the ship should be ballasted with coals.

That there should be a framed house of wood on
board, to be made as long as possible, for the oppor-
tunity of exercise within doors.*

That there should be also a Russian stove, as a
fire in a common chimney does not warm the room
equably. '^ .--

It appears, by the accounts of the Dutch, who
wintered in Nova Zembla,t as well as the Russians,
who continued six years in Maloy Brun, that during
this season there are sometimes days of a tolerable
temperature ; snow shoes, therefore, should be pro-
vided, as also snow eyes, not to lose the. benefit of
air and exercise during such an interval.| The

accidents ; and that the early discoverers had alwa^ what was called
a ship in quarters on board, which might be put together when a
creek, &c. was to be explored. He also advises, that the sailing of
the two ships, to be sent in concert on discoveries, should be pre-
viously tried, as there should not be too great a disparity in that
circumstance.

* On the Labrador Coast, the farriers raise a wall of earth all
round th«.a '■ -i, as high as the roof, which is found to contribate
much to warmth within doors, so as to want little more heat than
arises from the steam of lamps. Such wall is commonly three feet
thick.

t The Russian Heretics, of the old faith, as they are styled,
sometimes winter in Nova Zembla. — ^Account of Maloy Brun.

X A barrelled organ, which plays a few country dances, might
amuse during the dark months, as also be of use in the first inter-
course with the savages, music being a sort of universal language ;
and Sir Francis Drake, for that reason, carried out musicians with
him. ••:> ■ 1 ■ V5.V

■'^i,

^V.

Jnr-

-'■^

THE NORTH POLE.

[may be
recom-

ih coals.

irood on
oppor-

|v€, as a
le room

ch, who
lussians,
it during
olerable
be pro-
enefit of
4 The

was called
er when a
e sailing of
lid be pre*
rityinthat

f earth all
contribute
heat than
three feet

beard, likewise, should be suffered to grow on the
approach of winter, from which the Russian Cou*
riers are enabled to support the severity of the
open air.

Russian boots, and the winter cap of the furriers
of North America, are also recommended ; but re-
course should not be had to this warmest clothing
upon the first approach of winter, for by these means
the Russians do not commonly endure cold so well as
the English; because, when the weather becomes
excessively severe, they cannot well add to their
warmth. •

"When the weather is very incknfbnt, leads for the
hands, dumb-bells, and other such exercises, should
be contrived for within-doors.

In order to prevent the scurvy, likewise, frequent
use of the flesh-brush is recommended, as also occa-
sionally a warm bath, from which James's crew
received great benefit, when they wintered on Charl-
ton Island.

With regard to the provisions, I shall here insert a
method of curing meat, communicated to me by
Admiral Sir Charles Knowles, the good effects of
which both himself and others have frequently expe-^
rienced.*

re styled,
>un.

;es, might
irst inter-
language ;
ians with

^ So soon as the ox is killed, let it be skinned and cut up into
pieces, fit for use, as quick as possible, and salted whibt the meat is
hot ; for which purpose have a sufficient quantity of saltpetre and
bay salt pounded together, and made hot in an oven, of each equal
parts ; with this sprinkle the meat, at the rate of about two ounces
to the pound. Then lay the pieces on shelving boards to drain for
twenty l-ar hours; which done, turn them and repeat the same

..W^'

\ M

m^''

«» HfUKii

mShBI

# 86

ON APPROAtllINO

r. -If!,

^i.

The flour Bliould be kiln-dried, and put into tight
barrels iii^hich are capable of holding liquids.* Flour
thus preserved and packed hath been perfectly good
for more than three years, without the least appear-
ance of the weevils.

To make the best use of flour thus preserved,
there should be both a biscuit-maker and an oven on
board.

With regard to liquors, a large quantity of shrub
from the best spirits and fruits is recommehded,
which should also be made just before the voyage
takes place ; the sg'onger the spirits, the less stowage.

operation, and let them lay for twenty four hours longer, by whicli
time the salt will be all melted, and have penetrated tlie meat, and
the juices be drained off. Each piece must then be wiped dry with
clean coarse cloths, and a sufficient quantity of common salt, made
hot likewise in an oven, and mixed (when taken out) with about one*
third brown sugar. The casks being ready, rub each piece well
with this mixture, and pack them well down, allowing half a pound
of the salt and sugar to each pound of meat, and it will keep good
several years.

N. B. It is best to proportion the casks or barrels to the quantity
consupaed at a time, as the more seldom the meat is exposed to the
air the better. The same process does for pork, only a larger
quantity of salt, and less sugar ; but the preservation of both equally
depends on the meat's being hot when first salted. Sir John Nar-
borough salted young seals, and Sir Richard Hawkins many barrels
of penguins, both of which are said to have been wholesome and
palatable : fish likewise caught at the approach of winter, might be
so cured, or indeed preserved by the frost without any salt. Cap-
tain Cook's precautions need not be here alluded to.

* Woodes Rogers observes in his voyage, that the water, which
he had brought with him from England, on his arrival at Juan
Fernandez, nas all spoiled by the casks being bad.-Callander, iiii
p. 259.

*•!'

li— ' ■'

THE NORTH POLE.

^to tight
Flour
t\y good
[appear-

jserved,
I oven on

f shrub
mehded,
; voyage
stowage.

by vvhicli
meat, and
d dry with
salt, made
about one-
piece well
Jf a pound
keep good

le quantity
osed to the
ly a larger
>th equally
John Nar-
iny barrels
:some and
, might be
alt. Cap-

ter, which
d at Juaa
ander, iii,

Dampier preferred Vidonia to other %vincs, • on
account of its acidity ; and perhaps old hock might
answer still better.

I should stand in need of many apologies, for hav-
ing suggested these hints to Northern Discoverers,
had I not received them from officers of the Royal
Navy, as well ub Greenland Masters, and eminent
physicians; if any of these particulars, however,
would not have been otherwise thought of upon
fitting out the ship for such a voyage, and should be
attended with any good effects, it will become my
best excuse.

Ill order also to promote such a voyage of dis-
covery, I shou?d conceive, that extending the Pariia-
mentary reward of twenty thousand pounds by 18
Geo. II, cap. 17, for the passage to the Pacific Ocean
through Hudson's Bay, to a Northern communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in any
direction whatsoever, might greatly contribute to the
attempting such an enterprise.

To this another incitement might perhaps be added,
by giving one thousand pounds for every degree of
Nor h latitude, which might be reached by the adven-
turer, from 85° to the Pole, as some so very perempto-
rily deny all former instances of having penetrated
to such high latitudes. An act hath accordingly
passed for the first of these purposes ; and, for the
second, with this variation, that a reward of five
thousand pounds is given only for approaching within
a degree of the Pole.

I shall conclude, however, in answer to their incre-
dulity, by the following citation from Hakluy t : —

X -ti;'

4*?

— -^^^

i-iMM

'^'*>

I .

■ !

88' ON APPROACHINO

*^ow, lest you should make tome account of
ancient writers, or of their experience, who travelled
before our times, reckoning their authority amongst
fables of no importance, I have, for the better assur-
ance of those proofs, set down part of a discourse
written in the Saxon tongue, and translated into
English by Mr. Nowel, servant to master Secretary
Cecil, wherein is described a navigation, which one
Ochter made in the time of king Alfred, king of West
Saxe, anno 871 ; the words of which discourse arc
these: *He sailed right North, having always the
desert land on the starboard, and on the larboard the
main sea, continuing his course till he perceived the
coast bowed directly towards the East, &c.' Where-
by it appeareth, that he went the same way that we
do now yearly trade by St. Nicholas into Muscovia,
which no man in our age knew for certainty to be
nea, till it was again discovered by the English in the
time of Edward VI.

«^ Nevertheless, if any man should have taken this
voyage in hand, by the encouragement of this only
author,* he should have been thought but simple,

* Perhaps the same sea is alluded to in the following line of
Dionysius : — . ' .» •

as the name of Frozen can scarcely be applied to that of the Baltic.

As for the Thule of the ancients, about which so many conjec-
tures have been made, it seems most clearly to have been Ireland,
from the manner in which Statius addressed a Poem to Crispinus.
whose father had carried the Emperor's commands to Thnle : —

tu disce patrem, quantusque nigrantem

Flnctihva occiduiSffeasoq. Hyperione ThvAen "■

'• Intra vit mant^afa gerens. '^^;-

.s,>

.^ .t

^' & ,4

i.T I

ount of
ravelled
amongst
r assur-
iscourse
ed into
iecretary
hich one
of West
)ur8e arc
vays the
)oard the
Bived the
Where-
r that we
^uscovia,
ntyto be
ish in the

aken this
this only
t simple,

nng lineof

>*■

THE NORTH POLBi

^nsidering that this navigation was written so manj
years past, in so barbaroug a tongue, by one only
obscure author; and yet in these our days, we find
by our own experience his reports to be true/*

It should aU» seem, from other parts of the some Poem, that thb
General had croased from Scotland to the North of Irelaad, or
Thule :—

Q^od si te magno tellus franata parenti

Accipiat, quantum ferus exultabit Araxes ?

Qpanta Caledonios attollet gloria campos ?

Cum tibi longaems referet trucis iucoln terras,

Ific fuetus dare jura parens, hoc cespite turnlaa

Affari ; nitidas speculas, castellaque long£.

Aspidi ? ille dedit cinxitque hac moenia fossil.

Stativs, r. 14.
Crispinns's father, therefore, must have resided some time in Scot*
land, from whence he went to Thule or Ireland, for the Hebrides
(the only land to the West except Ireland) could not have been of
sufficient consequence for the Emperor's commission, or the fortifi*
cations alluded to ; besides that the expression oifeuoqut Hyperione
implies, that the land lay considerably to the Westward.

. %. • \Vi-: ■

■H

the Baltic,
my conjee-
en Ireland,
Crispinus,
mle : —

■A

■ tj

■^^fS^ff^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0 !f:i- IIM

I.I

1.25

•^ 1^ 1 2.2

- lis lllllio

1 1.8

1^ 1116

^'4^V^

'■/

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Sdences

Corporation

^^1%

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• ■*■.■-■;'■-:"-

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■■•:^#*>A;-S.,*-^% •■■

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THOUGHTS

m T«i

)^komimtiTr, EJTPEDtEJtcr, mtd unzrirr

BI8COTERINO A PA88i^&

.%.

THE NORTH POLE,*

4i1 '
*■■■

XHE possibility of making discoveries in this waj,
(that is, by steering directly North,) though now
treated as paradoxical by many^ was not, as will
Hereafter appear, formerly looked upon in that
light, even by such as ought to be reputed the pro*
perlBBt judges. There have been a variety of causes,
that, at different times, have retarded undertakings
of the utmost importance to the human species.
Among these we may justly consider the conduct of
some great philosophers, who, as our judicious Veru-
1am wisely observes, quitting the luminous path of
experience to investigate the operations of nature by
their own speculations, imposed upon the bulk of

* I have lately received these reflectiom from a learned friend,
who is now deceased, and who permitted me to print them, thoogh
Dot to inform the puhlic to whom they ar* indebted for this very
valuable communication,

D. B ^— .

*•?■

.'I*

7 tj^Jf»- ^**

:SaBia:?»«sr-

.x»

ON APPROACHING

mankind specious opinions for incontestable iruflis ^
which) being propagated by theii? disciples through a
long series of yearsj captivated the minds of mea,

\and thereby deprived them of that great instrument
of science, the spirit of inquiry.* In spcceeding
ages a new impediment arose, from the setting up
profit as the uhimate object of discovery ; and then,
as might well be expected} the preferring the private
and particular gain of certain individuals to the
general interests of the community, as well as to
the interests of the whole world, in the extension
of science. This it was that induced the States
General, at the instance of their East India Company,
to discourage all attempts for finding a Noftheast
passage, and to stifle such accounts a9 tended to
show that it was practicable. We may add t<^
these, the sourness of disappointed navigators, who
endeavoured to render their own miscarris^es proofs
of the impracticability of any like attempts. This
was the case of Captain Wood, who was shipwrecked
upon Nova Zembla^ and who declared, that all
endeavours on that side were, and would be found

^ vain; though Barentz, who died there in a like expe-
dition, a^rmed, with his last breath, that, in his own
opinion, such a passage might be found. , , ^ -

That the earth was spherical in its form was an
opinion very early entertained, and amongst the
learned generally admitted. It seemed to be a plain
deduction from thence, that a right line, passing

* Baconi Opera, torn. iv.p. IOC , et alibi passim. But these pas-
sages may be found collected ia Shaw's Abridgment ' Bacon's
Works, vol. ii. p. 62. ■' f •^' "-

<js*.

le trutlw 7
through a
B of men.
nstrument
pcceeding
setting up
and then,
le private
to the
veU as to
extension
he States
Company,
Northeast
tended to
ly add to
itons, who
ges proofe
pts. This
ipwrecked
) that all
he found
like expe-
in his own

^ was an
ongst the
^e a plain
, passing

It these pes-
* Bacon's

fHK NORTlt POClB. W

through the globe, would terminate in two points
diametrically opposite. Plato is thought to be the
first who spoke of the inhabitants (if such there were)
dwelling at or near those points, by the name of
Antipodes. This doctrine occasioned disputes among
))hilosophers for many ages ; some maintained, some
denied, and some treated it as absurd, ridiculous,
and impossible.* Whoever will examine impartially
the sentiments of these great men, weigh the con-
trariety of their opinions, and consider the singularity
of their reasonings, will see and be convinced how
unsatisfactory their notions were, and discover from
thence, how insufficient the subtle speculations of the
human understanding are towards settling points like
these, when totally unassisted by the lights of ob-
servation and actual experience.
' The division of the globe by zones being agreeable
to nature, the ancients distinguished them very pro-
perly and accurately into two frigid, the Arctic and
Antarctic Circles ; two temperate, lying between
those circles and the tropics; and the torrid zone
within the tropics, equally divided by the equinoctial.
But judging from their experience of the nature of
the climates at the extremities of the zone which
they inhabited, they concluded, that the frigid zones
were utterly uninhabitable from odd, and tlie torrid
from intolerable heat of the sun. Pliny laments very
pathetically upon this supposition, that the race of

* Lucr. de Natura Rerutn,lib. i. ver. 1063 ; Cicer. Acad. Qjniest.
lib. It. ; Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. ii. cap. 65 ; Pint, de Fncic in Orhe
Laaae ; Macrob. de Soma. Scip. lib. i^

■t

K >t j K ll i r j w 'iBW*fet!^

..^

l;i-38Kir»"«r*

(

ON APPROACHflVO

mdtikind were pent up in so snUeJl a piart of th« eartli.'
The poets, who were also no despicable philoso*
phers, heightened the horrors of these inhospitable
iregfons by all the colooring of a warm HdA heated
imagination;* but we now know, with the utmoA
certainty, that they were entirely mistaken as if
both. For within the Arctic Circle there * are coun*
tries inhabited as high nearly as we have discovered f
and, if we may confide in the relations of those who
have been nearest the PoIe,t the heat there is very
considerable, in respect to which our own navigators
and the Dutch perfectly i^ee. .In regard to the
torrid zone, we have now not the lieast doubt of its
being thoroughly inhabited ; and, which is mor6
WQndeHul, that the climates are very different there,
according to the circumstances of their situation. In
Ethiopia, Arabia, and the Moluccas, .exceedingly
hot; but in the plains of Peru (and particularly at

* Cicero in Soranium Sciopinis ; Virg. Geoig. lib. i. ; Ovidii Met*
lib. i. ; Tiballus Panegyr. ad Messalam, lib. iv. ; Plin. Hist Nat. '
lib. ii. cap. 68; Pomp. Mela de Situ Orbis, lib. i. cap. 1 ; Claude
de Raptu Proserpinae, lib. i.

t That the <iarth had inhabitants, even under the Poles, seems to
l^are been beUeved by many at the latter end of the sixteenUi cen*
tury, from the following lines :■--

" Fond men! if we believe that men do livd '
Undef the. zenith of both frozen poles ;
Though none come thence advertisements to give,
Why bear we not the like faith of our souls ?"
i ^^^ John Davis's ^osce te ipsutHf

Probably written in 1596, from a complunentto Lord Keeper Eger*
ton on hii first receiving the Great S^al.

^,'..-^ v, B I . .

'^.•

^--..

BMfttllt.l I' '.' *

ftm NORTH POLS.

»d

liilicflrdi.'

philoso-

ospitable

ft iMMteA

Qtmodt

sn M i^

ure coun*

icovered i

lose who

■e is very

lavig&iors

■d to the

abt of ltd

is more

ent there^

atioh. In

ceedSngljr

icularly at

OvidiiMet.
. Hist Nat.
. 1 ; Cbud.

les, seems to
cteenUi cen«

ive,

• te ipsum,
eeperEger* '

B ..

Quito) perfectly temperate, so that die inhabitants
never change their clothes in any season of t|ie year.
Thf sentiments of the ancients therefiure in this
respect are a proof ho.w inadequate the Acuities of
the human mind ajre to discussions of this nature*
nrhen unasEHsted by facts.

t TliA Pythagorean system of the universe, revised
and restored near two hundred and fifty years ago
by tb€ celebrated Copernicus, met with a very diffi*
cult and slow reception, not only from the bulk of
mankind, for that might have been well expected,
but even from the learned; and some very able
astronomers attempted to overturn and refute it*'
Qnlileo Galilei wrote an admirable treaties in its
support, in which he very fuUy removed most of the
popular objection8.t This, however, exposed him
to the rigour of the inquisition, and he was obliged
to abjure the doctrine of the earth*s motion. Our
noble plulosopher, the deep and acute Lord Veru-
1am, could not absolutely confide in the truth and
certainty of the Copemican System; but seems to
think, that its facilitating astronomical calculations
was its principal recommendation, as if this had not

* Amongst the most considerable of these was John Baptist Ric<
cioli, who published his A^magestum JVovtim with this view. Yet
afterward, in his Aitronomia Reformata^ he found himself obliged to
havie recourse te the doctrine of the earth's motion, that he might
be able' to fivje his calculations with a proper degree of exactness.

t This celebrated work of his was entitled, Dialoghi de Sistemi di
Tolomeo, e di Copemieo. This is much better known to the learned
worid by a Latin translation, which so clearly proved the superiority
of the Copemican System, that the only means of refuting it was by
the censures of the Church.

»)

-^■i

«>

ON APPROACHIKtl

(■-r

^ *

beert also a very strong presumption at least, if not a
prooff of its veracity.* .It was from this consideration
that the church of Rome at length thought fit so far
to relax in her decisions, as to permit the maintain-
ing the earth*s motion in physical and i^ilosophical
disquisitions. But Sir Isaac Newton, who built upon
this basis his experimentsd philosophy, hath dispersed
all doubts on this subject^ and shown how the most
•ublime discoveries may be made by the reci];>rocal
aids of sagacity and observation. On tiiese grounds,
therefore, all inquiries of this nature ought to pro-
ceed, widiout paying an implicit submission to the
mere speculative notions even of the greatest men ;
but pursuing steadily the path of truth, utader the
direction of the li|^t of experience. ^

It may be Tirged, in excuse of the ancients, and
even of our ancestors of former times, that, as they
were unassisted by facts, they could onlj employ
guess and conjecture, and that consequently Uieir
conclusions were from thence erroneous. But to
waive the visible impropriety of decicling in points,
where observation was so obviously necessary with-
out its direction ; let us see whether this plea of alle-
viation may not be controverted in both cases.
Cornelius Ncpos reports, that some Indians being cast
on shore in Germany were sent by a prince of the
Suevi to Quintus MeteUus Celer, then the Roman
proconsul in GauLf A very learned writer, in dis-

r»

f Shaw*8 Abridgment of Bacon's Worlcs, vol. ii. p. 21. where
the Doctor endeavours to defend this opinion.

t Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. ii. xag, 67. - .•'^•

• t I

it 'i

I i

THE NORTH POLE.

>tf if not a
lideration
fit so far
maintain-
losophical
>uilt upon
disperaed
the most
eci^rocal
grounds,
;ht to pro-
on to the
itest men ;
under the

:ients, and
Sit, as they
ly employ
ently Uieir
fe^But to
in points,
ssarywith-
leaofalle-
Dth cases,
being cast
ice of the
le Roman
er, in dis-

p. 21. where

cussing this point, hath shown, that it was possible
for these Indians to have come by two difierent routes
into the Baltic. He thinks, however, that it is very
improbable they came by either, and supposes, that
they were either Norwegians, or some other wild
people, to whom, from their savage appearance, they
gave the name of Indians.* But though this observa-
tion may well enough apply to the Romans, who at
that time had no knowledge of these Northern peo-
ple, yet it is not easy to conceive that the Suevi
*^ould fall into this mistake ; or, if they did not, that
they should attempt to impose upon the Romans. It
appears incontestably, that, in the time of King Alfred,
the Northern seas were constantly navigated upon
the same motives they are now ; that is, for the sake .
of catching whales and sea-horses.t Nicholas of
Lynn, a Carmelite Friar, sailed to the most distant
islands in the North, and even as high as the Pole.
He dedicated an account of his discoveries to King
Edward the Third, and was certainly a person of
great learning, and an able astronomer,^ if we may

* Hnet Histoire de Commerce, et de la Navigation des Anciens,
p. 631.

t See Barrington's Translation of Orosius from the Anglo-Saxon
of King Alfred, part ii. p. 9.

X Leland. Comment, de Script. Britan. cap. 370 ; Bale, vi. 25 ;
Pits, p. 605. His description was intituled Inventio FortuTiata;
besides which, he wrote, amongst other things, a book, De Mundi
Revolutione, which possibly may still remain in the Bodleian Library.
This Friar, as Dr. Dee asserts, made five voyages into these North-
ern parts, and left an account of his discoveries from the latitude
of 64' to the Pole.

% #

V(i

ir.-l

i.^. S^A

%
■^

.-*..

ON APPBOAOHING

believe the Celebrated Chaucer, who, in his Treatise
on the Astrolabe, mentions him with great respect.

After Columbus discovered America, under the
auspices of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Sovereigns
of Europe, and especially Henry the Seventh, turned
their thoughts towards, and gave great encourage^
ment to, discoveries. Mr. Robert Thome, who resided
many years as a merchant in Spain, and who was
afterward mayor of Bristol, wrote a letter to Henry
the Eighth, in which he strongly recommended a
voyage to the North Pole. He gave his reasons*
more at large in a long Memorial to our ambassador
in Spain, which show him to have been a very judi-
cious man, and for those times a very able cosmogra-
pher; and accompanied this Memorial with a map
of the world, to prove the practicability of his pro-
posaL*" Though this project of his was not attended
to, yet a variety of expeditions were made for disco-
vering a passage by the Northwest, and others by the
Northeast, into the South seas on the one side, and
into the Tartarean ocean on the other, until at length
both were declared impracticable by Captain James
and Captain Wood; soured by their own miscar-
riages, and being strongly persuaded, that, as they did
not succeed, none else could. But even these unsuc-
cessful voyages were not unprofitable to the nation
upon the whole, as they opened a passage to many
lucrath^e fisheries, such as those in Davis's Straits,

* Haklujrt's Voyiges, vol. i. p. 212—220. The letter to Dr.
Ley, who was the King's Ambassador in Spain, is dated A. D.
1627. This Mr. Thome's father waa engaged, with others, in the
discovery of Newfoundland.

'■^"ir'

THE KORTH POLE.

his Treatise
|at respect,
under the
Sovereigns
renth, turned
encourage-
who resided
id who was
|ter to Henry
tmmended a
his reasons'
' ambassador
a very judi-
le cosmogra>
with a map
Y of his pro-
not attended
de fordisco-
)tbers by the
ne side, and
ntil at length
ptain James
own miscar-
t, as thejr did
these unsuc-
the nation
?e to manj
^is's Straits,

B letter to Dr.
8 dated A. D.
others, m the

Baffin's Bay, and on the coast of Spitzbergen.
Besides this, they laid open Hudson's Straits and Bay,
with the coast on both sides, which have been alrea-
dy productive of many advantages, and which, in
process of time, cannot fail of producing m^oi^, in
consequence of our being in possession of Canada, and
being thereby sole master of those seas and coasts.

It is, however, very remarkable, that notwithstand-
ing the views, both of our traders and of such great
men as were distinguished encouragers of discove-
ries, the ablest seamen (who without doubt are the -
best judges) were still inclined to this passage by
the North, such as Captain Poole, Sir William Moil*
son,'* and others ; and this was still the more remark-
able, as they were entirely guided therein by the
lights of their own experience,*>'having no knowledge
of Mr. Thome's proposal, or of the sentiments of
each other. From the reason of the thing, however,
they uniformly concurred in the motives they sug-
gested for such an undertaking. They asserted, that
this passage would be much shorter and easier than
any of those by the Northwest or Northeast; that it
would be more healthy for the seamen, and attended
with fewer inconveniences; that it would probablj
open a passage to new countries ; and, finally, that
the experiment might be made with very little hazard,
at a small expense, and would redound highly to our
national honour, if attended with success. It may
be then demanded, why it has not hitherto been at-
tempted, and what objections have retarded a scheme

- '■'■\f

A' J S:-:-'-'.

* Naval Tracts, p. 435.

100

ON APPMACHIIfO

SO visibly advantageous ? These objections^ as far
as they can be collected, are the fear of perishing by
excessive cold, the danger of being blocked up in
ice, and the apprehension that there could be no
certainty of preserving the use of the compi^is under
or near the Pole.

In respect to the first, we have already mentioned,
that the ancients had taken up an opinion, that the
seas in the frigid zone were impassable, and the
lands, if there were any, uninhabitable. The phi-
losophers of later ages fell into the same opinion, and
maintained that the Poles were the sources and prin-
ciples of cold, which of course increased and grew
excessive in approaching them.''^ But when the
lights of experience were admitted to guide in such
researches, the truth 6i this notion came to be ques-
tioned, because from facts it became probable, that
there might be a diversity of climates in the frigid
as well as in the torrid zone. Charlton Island, in
which Captain James wintered, lies in the bottom,
that is, in the most Southern part of Hudson^s Bay,
and in the same latitude with Cambridge, and the
cold there was intolerable. The servants of the
Hudson^s Bay Company trade annually in places ten
.,.,, degrees nearer the Pole, without feeling any such
inconvenience. The city of Moscow is in the same
latitude with that of Edinburgh, and yet in winter
the weather is almost as severe there as in Charlton

* In the language of those times, the Pole was styled Primvm
J Frigidum ; and it was by such groundless phrases that men pre^
tended to account for the operations of nature, without giving them-
telves the trouble of experimental inquiries.

THE NORTH POLE.

101

Dns, as far
^riuhing by
eked up in
>uld be no
[pa^fs under

mentioned,
>n, that the
le, and the
The phi-
pinion, and
s and prin-
d and grew
when the
ide in such
to be ques-
bable, that
the frigid
1 Island, in
he bottom,
dson's Bay,
;e, and the
ints of the
places ten
5 any such
n the same
t in winter
Q Charlton

tyled Pritnutn

iat men pre-.

giving tbeiq-

Island. Nova Zembla hath no soil, herbage, or^ni-
mals ; and yet in Spitzbergen, in six degrees higher
latitude, there are all three ; and, on the top of the
mountains in the most Northern part, men strip them-
selves of their shirts that they may cool their bodies.*
The celebrated Mr. Boyle, from these and many
other instances, rejected the long-received notion,
that the Pole was the principle of cold. Captain
Jonas Poole, who in 1610 sailed in a vessel of seventy
tons to make discoveries towards the North, found
the weather warm in near 79** of latitude, whilst
the ponds and lakes were unfrozen, which put him
in hopes of finding a mild summer, and led him to
believe, that a passage might be as soon found by the
Pole as any other way whatever ; and for this reason,
that the sun gave a great heat there, and that the ice
was not near so thick as what he had met with in
the latitude of TS^'.t Indeed, the Dutchmen, who
pretend to have advanced within a degree of the
Pole, said it was as hot there as in the summer at
Amsterdam.

* In these Northern Voyages we hear very much of
ice, and there is no doubt that vessels are very much
hindered and inconmioded thereby. But after all, it
is, in the opinion of able and experienced seamen*,
more formidable in appearance than fatal in its
effects. When our earliest discoveries were made,
and they reached farther North than we commonly
.».. pail at present, it was performed in barks of seventy

W • See Marden's Account of Spitzbergen, p. 105.

t Purchas'e PilgriiQg, vol. iii. p. 702.

I-

♦

^^M

102

ON APPROACHING

ton^ with some trouble, no doubt, but with very little
hazard. At this <^ay it is known, that in no part of
the world there are greater quantities of ice seen
than in Hudson^s Bay, and yet there is no navigation
safer, the company not losing a ship in twenty years,
and the seamen, who are used to it, are not troubled
with any apprehensions about it. It is no objection
to this, that we hear almost every season of ships lost
in the ice on the Whale fishery; for these vessels,
instead of avoiding, industriously seek the ice, as
amongst it the whales are more cmnmonly found than
in the open sea. Being thus continually amongst the
ice, it is no wonder that they are sometimes surround-
ed by it; and yet the men^ when the ships are lost, gene-
rally speaking, escape. But in the seas near the Pole,
it is very probable there is little or no ice, for that is
commonly formed in bays and rivoi3 during winter,
and does not break up and get into the sea till the
latter end of March, or the beginning of April, vdien
it begins to thaw upon the shores. It is aIso» when
formed, very uncertain as to its continuance, being
broken and driven about by the vehemence of the
winds. As a proof of this we have an instance of a
vessel fi'ozen in one of the harbours of Hudson^s Bay,
^ which, by the breaking of the ice, drove to sea, and,
' though it was Christmas, found the Straits quite free
from ice,**^ which are frequently choked with it in May
and June, and made a safe and speedy passage home.
All our accounts agree, that, in very high latitudes,
there is less ice. Barentz, when his ship was frozen in

R ■

Mr. Dobb's Account of Hudson's Bay, p. 69, 70.

THE NORTH POLE.

103

very little
ID part of
ice seen
lavigation
nty years,
troubled
objection
ships lost
vessels,
ice, as
rand than
longst the
Burround-
<tot,gene-
thePole,
for that is
g winter,
» till the
ril, when
lso» when
ce, being
:e of the
ince of a
on's Bay,
sea, and,
[uite free
it in May
^ home,
atitudes,

frozen in

:'' : _ • ■#

■•t«*

Nova 2.-^mbla, heard the ice broken with a most
horrible noise by an impetuous sea from the North,
a full proof that it was open. It is the invariable
tradition of the Samoides and Tartars, who live
beyond the Waygat, that the sea is open to the
Ncrth of NovaZembla all the year; and the most
knowing people in Russia are of the same opinion.
The&e authorities ought certainly to have more
weight than simple conjectures.

The notion, that approaching to a passage under
the Pole would destroy the use of the compass, is a
popular opinion without any just grounds to support
it. For it presumes that the needle is directed by
the Pole of the World ; which it certainly is not, as
appears from the needless variation, and even the
variation of that variation, which, if this notion was
true, could never happen. In Sir Thomas Smithes
Sound in Baffin^s Bay., the variation was found to be
d6** Westward, the greatest yet known. Captain
Wood is veiy clear upon this point, and maintains,
^that no danger was to be apprehended from this
cause.** Those who asserted, that they had advanced
within a degree of the Pole, estimated the variation
there at five points of the compass. Captain Wood,
in stating the account given of the Dutch seamen's
voyage by Captain Goulden, omits one very material
point, of which we are informed by Mr. Boyle, which
is, that one of the Dutch captains coming over to
England, Captain Goulden carried him to some of
the Northern Company, who were perfectly satisfied

* Wood's Voyage for the Discovery of a Northeast Passage,
p. 139

J '-i

'^-:J-/^""-S!r,--- *■. ■*-

ON APPROACHING

as to the truth of his relation.* On the whole, there-
fore, whether we respect reason or facts, there are
no just grounds for apprehensions on this head, more
especially as there are other means by which the
true situation of a vessel might be determined, and
the difficulty, if any arose, would be but of very
short continuance. But as such a voyage could not
fail of affording many new lights in respect to astro-
nomy and geography, so in this respect also it must
necessarily ascertain fully what is at present only
ma,tter of doubt and conjecture.

As notions long received acquire from thence a
degree of credit due only to tpith ; and as new
opinions, contrary to these, and in other respects
perhaps extraordinary in themselves, meet from these
causes with slow and difficult belief, however they
may appear to be supported by arguments, authori-
ties, or facts, (which it is presumed have been freely
and fairly urged in the present case, to a degree that
may at least entitle the matter to ^ome attention)
let us now proceed one step farther. This shall be
to show, that what seems to be so repugnant to the
common course of things (viz. that near the North Pole
the cold should releuc, and the ice be less trouble-
.fiome) is perfectly conformable to the laws of nature,
or, which is the same thing, to the will and wisdom
of our great Creator. If this can be proved, there
can be no farther dispute as to the possibility of this

* See the honourable Mr. Boyle's History of Cold, in respect to
this and a multitude of other curious particulars, which show with
how much industry and care he struggled to deliver truth from vu^ ^
gar errors and fiction.

TNIi NORTH FOI.K.

10$

|e, there-
lere are
id, more
lich the
led, and
of very
bould not
I to astro-
it must
Jent only

thence a
as new

respects

om these
iver they

authori-
jen freely
gree that
ittention)

shall be
nt to the
orthPole

trouble-
f nature,
1 wisdom
>d, there
y of this

respect to

show with

from vu|r

passage I more especially vben it shall also appear*
that this afibids a fbll solution of all the doubts that
have been suggested, and at the same time clearly
accounts for, and effectually confirms, the tacts and
reasonings deduced from them, which have been
already advanced upon this subject. To qome then
at once to the point.

Sir Isaac Newton* who it is universally allowed
was equally accurate, cautious, and judicious, in his
philosophical decisions, hath demorsirated clearly,
that the figure of this our earth is not sphericalf but
of an oblate spheroidal form* the diameter at the
equator being the greatest, and at the ai^is the least
of all the lines that can pass through the centre.
He also determined, by a most cUrious calculation?
the proportion of these diameters to be as two
hundred and thirty to two hundred and twenty'^nine.
These sentiments of his have been experimentally
verified by the means which he also pointed out, viz.
observing the motion of pendulums in very diflferent
latitudes, and the actual measurement of a degree at
the Equator and under the Arctic Circle. This last
evidently proved the depression of the earth's sur-
face towards the Pole, which no doubt gradually
increases. The very learned and sagacious Dr.
Hooke asserted, in one of his lectures, and brought
very strong reasons to show, that there is nothing
but sea at the Poles.* These points then, being
maturely considered, will be found to militate in
fyvour of a free passage this way, and at the same

?<{«■

♦ Hooke's Posthumous Works, p. 351.
'V 14

*^'

^ >. -

*ii ••«>'- --w

■r-

^•^.

106

ON APPROACHING

time give much light into other things that have been
advanced in the course of this inquiry, by showing
the true causes of those facts that, at first sight, have
appeared to many very strange and unaccountable.
For example, if there be no land near the Pole, then
there can be no bays in which ice can be formed to
interrupt the navigation. Again, the rays of the sun,
falling on so flat a surface, and being continually
reflected from the water, must afford a great degree
of heat to the air. At the same time this will
account for the sun^s being seen by the Dutch in
Nova Zembla a fortnight earlier than he should have
appeared, according to astronomical calculations.*
Many other circumstances might be mentioned, but
these will doubtless occur to the intelligent, and
therefore it is unnecessary to dwell longer upon
them.

The gseat injustice of rejecting opinions, on ac-
count of their appearing, at first sight, paradoxical,
or somewhat inconsistent with notions commonly
received, having been ckarly shown, and the mis-
chievous consequences flowing from it by various
instances pointed out; the foundatibn of this con-
jecture, that there may be a passage near the Pole,
having been fairly stated, the popular objections to
it clearly removed, the general advantage that might
be expected from thence placed in a proper light,
and the consistence of all the circumstances relative
thereto, with the established course of nature, having
been also rendered evident; there can be nothing

■ - * See Purchas, vol. iii. p. 499, 600.

^ ^. ..*-jai*».A _ .4^ fn.^L

»-*^'.**iw-r».,^_^v ^ _., .^.,5r^-.v;;uJr

THE KORTH POLE.

lOT

ive been

showing

l^ht, have

ountable.

fole, then

ormed to

the sun,

ntinually

t degree

this will

Dutch in

>uld have

ulations.*

)ned, but

^ent, and

jer upon

8, on ac-
'adoxical,
!ommonlj

the mis-
^ various
this con-
the Pole,
ctions to
lat might
Jer light,

relative
N having

nothing

more looked for respecting this matter merely in the
light of a philosophical speculation. But if sujh
porting this had been the only motive, these reflec-
tions had not employed the time of the writer, or
trespassed so long upon the reader's patience. What
then remains? To demonstrate, that, as the pos-
•ibility, practicability, and facility, of such an under-
taking have been insisted upon, its national utility
should be shown to deserve consideration ; and that,
as it is an object of the greatest importance to the
public welfare, its execution should be no longer
delayed. There is unquestionably no country in
Europe so well situated for such an enterprise as
this. The transit from Shetland to the Northern
parts of Asia would, by this way, be a voyage only
of a few weeks. The inhabitants of these islands
and of the Orkneys are, and have been for many
yea^, employed in the Greenland Fisheries, and
the natives of these isles are the persons mostly
sent to the establishments in Hudson's Bay^ By
these means they are inured to cold, to ice, and
hard living, and are consequently the fittest for
being employed in such expeditions. When thi?
shall be once executed with success, it will necessa-
rily bring us acquainted with new Northern countries,
where ordinary clothes and other coarse woollen
goods will probably be acceptable, new channels of
commerce would be thereby opened, our navigation
extended, the number of our seamen augmented,
without exhausting our strength in settling colonies,
exposing the lives of our sailors in tedious and dan-
gerous voyages through unwholesome climates, or

•V,

»t .

* )

;-f'''

V?7

-5-/\'

lOff

ON APPROACHING

^r-VV

haring any other trade in prospect than of exchange
ing our native commodities and manufactures for
those of other countries. This, if it could be brought

' about, would, in the first instance, convert a number

« of bleak and barren islands into cultivation, connect
them and their inhabitants intimately witii Fritain,
give bread to many thousands, and by providing
suitable rewards for many different species of indus-
try, encourage population, and put an easy and

; effectual period to the mischiefs and scandal of
emigrations. The benefits derived from these dis-
coveries, and the commerce arising from them, will
necessarily extend to all parts of our dominions. For
however fit the poor people of those islands may be
for such enterprises, or however commodious the
ports in their countries may be found for equipping

- and receiving vessels employed in these voyages, yet
the commodities, manufactures, &c. must be furnished
from all parts of the British empire, and of course be
of universal advantage. These, as they are true,

i Will it is hoped appear just and <:^ogent reasons for
Wishing, that a project, which has dwelt in the

,, mouths and memories of some, and in the judgment
and approbation of a few, from the time of Henry
the Eighth, should be revived, and, at length, for

< the benefit of his subjects, carried into effect, under
the auspices of George the Third,

,hl^-<»W'^

")y^'^

•^^•i

*:^>,

'1^\

■ 4^

- ^"■*,

A^-'c ^ -^

:■%'

''k-U

^L;^

, !

••

■r.'

- '>lf^ ';'-»^

'>SS

■*®T

TBB NORTH POLE.

109

exchange
tures for
B brought
number
connect
i Prituin,
providing
of indus-
asy and
;andat of
hese dis-
lem, will
ons. For
8 may be
lious the
equipping
^ages, yet
furnished
course be
are true,
asons for
it in the
judgment
)f Henry
ngth, for
;t, under

»*

f have mentioned in the preceding sheets,* that I
expected some additional instances of Dutch ships,
which had been in high Northern latitudes ; but,
though I delayed the publication for some weeks,
they did not arrive time enough to appear with the
others. I have however «ince received them
from Professor Allamand of Leyden, F.R.S., by
means of Mr. Valltravers, F.R.S., &c., and take

'', the earliest opportunity to lay them before the

/ public, as a valuable addition to the former

f papers.

TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINGTON^
sw,

"■i Having made some inquiries (agreeable to your
desire) from Professor Allamand, of Leyden, F.R.S.
with regard to Dutch Navigators, who have reached
high Northern latitudes; he has been so kind to
send me the following account, drawn up by Captain
William May, a very distinguished and experienced
sea-officer in the Dutch service, which begins with a
letter from Mr. John Walig to his owners, who has
been master of a Greenland ship ever since the year
1740.

* ' I am, &c.

.f ROD. VALLTRAVERS. ?

-.r-.

* In the additioiwl papers frQin Hull, p. 6£.

-i*.

l«'->^

-«e

•y»

ttw

'■•;>.

siSi

«<*"■

M-

110

ON APPROACHING

•« TO MESS. NIC. AND JACOB VAN STAPHORST.

"fleWer, Jan. 3, 1775.

" In answer to your letter of the 22d of Decem-
ber concerning the question, whether we have been
nearer to ^the Pole than 80i% I must inform you, that
^ we have been often to 81% near the Seven Isl-
ands, to the Northward of the Northeast Land, and
some have been in 82% but then not clear from
ice, in which they drove about. I never heard of
any discoveries made there, as they have always been
fishers, who, driving with the ice to the Northward,
lea\Le that direction upon getting room ; and when
* now and then the sea has been free from ice, that
has happened commonly in the months of June and
July. In 1763, I spoke with a Scotch Captain in
Greenland, who told roe he had been to 83% that the
sea was then free from ice, but that he had made no
discoveries, without mentioning any more particulars,
ibr we ask after nothing but whales. When I spoke
to him it was in July, and then we could get no
farther North than 79* 30' for the ice. In short, we
can seldom proceed much higher tht^n 801°, but
almost always to that latitude, for it seems that the
conjunction of the currents often fastens the ice there.
I fished last year from 80' 25' to 80° 35', according to
the land we made afterward.

"But in the year 1707, Captain Cornelius Gillis,
having gone without any ice far to the Northward of
81% sailed to the North of the Seven Islands, pro-
ceeded from thence East, and afterward Southeast,
iiemaining to the East of the Northeast Land, when

«*

cominj
twentj
east M
no bo
Spitzl
ice, I
most <
in the
and n

'**<^'- :

^^'

f^^

THE NORTH POLE.

Ill

RST.
3, 1775.

Decem-
ave been
you, that
even Isl-
and, and
ear from
heard oi
mya been
)rthward,
nd when
ice, that
June and
Eiptain in
, that the
made no
rticulars,
I spoke
1 get no
hort, we
tor, but
that the
ce there.
»rding to

IS Gillis,
ward of
ds, pro-
•utheast,
1, when

coming again to latitude 80° he discovered about
twenty-five miles* East from the country to the North-
east very high lands, on which, as far as we know,
no body has ever been. As to the season when the
Spitsbergen seas may be expected to be &ee from
ice, I believe, according to my observations, that the
most open sea to the Northward generally happens
in the month of September, but then the nights begin,
and make the navigation dangerous.

*^ I am, &c. ^

>"■

■js- ' '

■> ■•-■

"JOHN WALIG."

i, . ■ . J, •

♦ Fifteen to a degree, at the Equator.

ttey ?■

rvv-

r,"- ^*

O.' ' y M:><

''^WiflBf^

■i^

5r '

»".■ 'i

*^;

»„J

^- . .•/

■**

■ » i1

..>-'

^i?"-

v^'

,**■"

.*««iv,:-J..^||fifb,.. .-«<|i»-.

V, -

■"i^

■^'

A SHORT

ACC017NT OF NAVIGATORS,

WHO |UT* IBACIIBO

HIGH KOBTHEBN LATITUDES.*

I WENT to Amsterdam the 26lh of March, beii^g the
most proper jtime to make the desired inquiries, and to
obtain information from all the conunand^s that weite
to depart this year to Greenland; for then you meet
six, eight, and more together, in houses where thejf
enlist their men. I am, however, sorry to mention,
that but few of those commanders keep joumak
when they are near, or in the ice ; but, notwithstand-
ing (his, the accounts they ^ve carry with them such
an air of truth, from being confirmed by minute .cir-
cumstances, and corroborated by so many witnesses,
that these relations (I verily believe) may be de-
pended upon as well as some journals. I partica-
larly applied myself, however, to those to whcMD a
great number of voyages bad given experience, and
(contrary to my expectations) met with men of can-

* TKhi account was drawn qp by Captain William May, in the
service of the States, at the desire of Professor Allamand of Leyden.
—See p. 7^.

■A

■m.

UN APFKOACIIIMI

dour and penetration. I tliought it proper likewise,
to take the following extract of a Journal, it showing
the common form in which some of them are kept.

Tratulation of a part of a Jonrnal, kept on hoard the Vrom Maria,
Om/mandtr Martin Breet.

N. B. The sun^s altitudes were taken with an octant,
and twelve minutes allowed for the sun^s semi-

^ diameter, refraction, and dip of the horizon ; the
longitude from Tenerifie; the miles fifteen to a
degree at the Equator; the bearings with a com-

^ pass unrectified. „

The 22d of April, 1771, sailed from the Texel for
Greenland. 8th of May, latitude, according to the
run, 7(f 33*, longitude l^ 22'; saw the first ice. ^

13th ditto, latitude 74** 50*, longitude 24" 35'; met
with a border of ice.

14th ditto, latitude by observation 75** 44', longi-
tude 26** 13'; came against some ice.

15th ditto, latitude 76" 13', longitude 25** 40'; saw
Spitzbergen, the South Cape; bore East Northeast
fourteen miles.
N. B. Drove about in the ice ; made fast to a field.

25th ditto, in the morning saw the North F(Hreland.
Northeast by East, latitude 79** 12*, longitude 20** 40^.

26th ditto, longitude by observation 79** 10'.

27th ditto, against the ice.
< 28th ditto, passed through some ice.

29th ditto, got fast in the ice; saw two ships sail
ihg pretty freely in the East Northeast. 4^, 1

N. B. In the ice till the *^ r w '

•ia>afi6i«a'iM'

^^.*

THE NORTH POLE.

115

ikewise,
showing
kept.

'ow Maria,

n octant,
1*8 semi-
zon; the
een to a
h a com-

'cxel for
ng to the;
ice.
35'; met

14', longi-

40'; saw
Northeast

to a field.
Foreland.
le 20' 4(y.
10'.

jhips sail-

7th of June^ got more room t beat to the Southward,
and made fast to a field ; saw land in the East North-
east, distance fourteen or fifteen miles ; supposed it
the Quade Hoek, latitude by observation 79° 58^;
made fast to the ice till the

11th June, at noon; a violent storm, wind South-
west, latitude by observation 80" 19'. In the night,
drove towards the coasts, for it blew too hard to carry <
sail.

12th ditto, in the morning, laid fast in the ice*
the storm continued, and the ship so much pressed
by the ice, that we were obliged to unhang the
rudder.

• 13th ditto, hard pressed by the ice, latitude by
observation 80** 29*. Remained pressed by the ice
UUthe

18tb ditto, latitude by observation 80^ 50^; the ship
not moveable.

19th ditto, latitude by observation 80** 57'; the ice
in great motion.

20th ditto, fast in the ice again, latitude by
observation 80*^ dS*; calm till the

24di ditto, began to blow a storm ; got some room
in the ice.

'. 25th ditto, having got more room we advtoced.
. 26th ditto, locked up again.

27th ditto, saw the land, namely, the Dorro Hoek,
South by East half East, and the Vlakke Hoek, East
Southeast ; lay beset till the

29th ditto, latitude by observation 80° 16'.

30th ditto, wind Northeast.

■T.

■•.-iM&A,

'Vttr'-

n'tfSMp^^'^^ .

'«.

116

ON APPROACHING

?1.'-

f 1st of July, 8KW t^ater in the West Southwest,
which we had not seen for many days. In the after-
noon got iBore room.

2d ditto, worked our way through as much ice as
we could, wind East Northeast,^ towards the evening
North ; made fiust to a field.

.3d ditto, at noon, saw the land, being the Robbe
Bay, bearing Southwest by West about one mile.

I have left out many little circumstances respecting
the wind, tides, &c., as thinking the above sufficient for
ascertaining the latitudes, and to show the method in
which many of the Greenland Masters keep their
Journals. That year seems to have been favourable
finr gettii^ more to the North; for, notwithstanding
Mr. Breet met with so much ice, from the latitude of
79"* 30' to that of 80'' 58', Captain Jan Klaas Castri-
cum, in the ship the Jonge Jan, at that very time of
the year, and nearly in the same longitude, resMshed
81** 40', by the medium of several observations with
forestafis, where he fished with success, in company
with Witje Jelles, who sailed fi'om Hamburgh, and
found but little ice. There were likewise two
English ships, who sailed so far to the North, that
Castricum lost sight of them from the mast head,
which two ships returned in something more than two
days, and the Captains came on board of Castricum,*
and assured him, that they had been to upwards of

"d"--^"H*

* Captain Castricum neither asked their names, nor those of their
aliips ; all that he knew was, he said, if he remembered right, they
sailed from England*

■ ^'..

'^%

-m^

iif^>

'«

y ^ iFl i'- v -.^^llWl^Oi

«f"

louthwcBt,
the after-

ichice as
e evening

he Robbe
i mila '

respecting
ifficient for
method in
keep their
favourable
ithstanding
latitude of
aas Castri-
srytime of
e, reached
ations with
n company
burgh, and
:ewise two
N[orth, that
oiast head,
re than two
!^astricum,*
upwards <rf

r those of their
red right, they

THE NORTH POLE.

Ill

&3% and rould have gone much farther, as they had
no obstructions from ice, but finding no whales thej
returned. I spoke at the same time with other cpm-
manders, who, having, been in sight of those ships,
confirmed Castricum^s account.

Six of the oldest Masters assured me (amongst
whom were John Walig, Klaas Keuken, and J. Klaaa
Castricum,) that they had known, firom 1730 to 1742,
an old English commander, whose name was Krick-
rack ;* it was his custom between the fisheries, if not
obstructed by ice, to sail to the Northward; and
some of them affirm, that when they have been at an
anchor in Brandewyns Bay, he once stayed away
ten, and at another time twenty days, before his re-
turn, and they are very sure that he reported (and
they have reasons to believe him) that he had been
two degrees, and even more, North of the Sevei>
Islands. All I could farther learn of this Mr. Krick-
n|ck was, that in 1740 he was in the only diip sent
from England ; that for several voyages he had the
same ship^s company ; that in or about 1742 he had
the command of a transport, on board of which he
lost his life by a musket ball : they were certfiin that,
he kept Journals, out of which they think much light
might be obtained. '

The greatest part of the Dutch commanders live
at the Helder. Mr. Walig and others assured me,
that the most Northern voyage then ever heard of,
and on which they could with certainty depend, was

* From 1736 to 1740, most of the Masters of Eng^sh Ships, fitted
out for the Greenland Trade, were Dutchmen.

*fm:

fV -;

i 1

. m» ' - " a*<WSi<<« Him i r> t

1X8

ON AFFROACHING

:*'

that of Jacob Scliol in 1700, who had been so far
North, that on his return he sailed with a fresh gale
of wind, due South, forty-eight hours, and then fell
in with the Seven Islands ; he consequently had been
(reckoning that run at only four Dutch miles an hour,
which they thought too little) in upwards of 84^ North
latitude. As Mr. Schol was an inhabitant of the Hel-
der, they told me that they would strive to procure
me his papers from his heira ; and, if I mistake not,
they said that they had actually seen those papers
in their younger days.

Finding that Mr. Van Keulen had put down (in his
chart) the land discovered by Captain Gillis, men-
tioned in Mr. Walig^s letter, I went to him, to see on
what foundation he had placed that discovery; but
as those papers could not be found, I applied to Mr;^
Walig, who told me, that Mr. Cornelius Gillis had
"been an inhabitant of the Helder; that Walig,
together with Mr. Keuken^ Mr. Baske, and others^:
since dead, had often examined Gillis^s papers, maps,
&c., and found that he was an enterprising man, and
very accurate in his remarks and charts ; that his
grahds(m had his Journals and other Papers in his
possession; and his granddaughter, who was mar-
ried to an officer of Walig's ship (who had formerly
been a conmiander) had his charts, some of which
that officer generally took with him, in order to cor-
rect them. I begged hard to have them, if only for
twenty-four hours ; and next morning Mr. Walig put
into my hands the original draughts of all the dis-
coveries Mr. Gillis ever made with regard to Spitz-
bergen, excepting some particular drawings of bays

•«■'•■■

,... .,^fi

•4

-^^.

it^- THE NORTH POLK.

119

en so iar
esh gale
then fell
lad been
an hour,
4' North
the Hel-
procure
itake not,
e papers

vn (in his
lis, men-
to see on
^ery; but
ed to Mr.
iriUis had
It Walig,
id others,
;rs, maps,
man, and
; that his
irs in his
was mar-
L formerly
of which
?r to cor-
r only for
kValig put
11 the dis-
to Spitz-
s of bays

and views of land, with permission to keep them in
my possession tiU. Mr. Walig's return from Green-
land ; copies of which are here annexed,* and Mr.
Walig promised to procure me, if possible, all the
papers of that old commander, before he left the
Tei^el, which I hope to receive in a few days, and
shall not fail in sending over every thing I find mate-
rial. Asking what particulars Mr. Walig and others
remembered out of those papers, they gave the fol-
lowing account, That Mr. Gillis passed more than a
degree to the Northward of the Seven Islands, with-
out any hinderance from ice ; that he proceeded East
for some leagues with an open sea, then bent his
course Southeast, and afterward South ; saw in the
latitude of 80% to the East, very high land; run
through the East coast of the Northeast land, and
entered the Waygat Straits.; vcame to an anchor in
Lamber Bay, and took two whales, and from thence
j>roceeded , to the Texel. Mr. Baske gave .also an
account of his uncle's having, in company with three
ships, entered Waygats from the North, and advanced
as far as the same bay, but found too much ice to get
through, of which the other three, being young com-
manders, made a trial. The North passage, how-
ever, on their return being shut, and it being the
beginning of September, they made preparation to
leave their ships, in order to get over land to Smee-
renberg, but the ice luckily giving way, they got out
to the Northward. Mr. Baske, who is a curious man^

* These were copies of the draughts of the different coasts of
Spitzberg«in, of which Captain Gillia hath taken accurate surveys.

lit
%

m*^*'

120

ON APPROACHING

■{■■'i

': \

~1K*

pronused me, amongst other things, his tihennome'
trical observations, which, by the conversation I
had abont them, I have reason to think will be
accurate.

After having passed six mornings with a great
number of our commanders quartered in diii^nt
houses, i find, Chat scarcely a year bad passed but
Bome tX them have been to 81° North, but rarely
£)und the seas free firom ice.

This is all the infonnatito I have been able to pro-
cure during my short stay at Amsterdam, which 'I
would have prolonged, if a call to the Hague had
not prevented me. I can onlyadd, that waiting upon
Mr. Boreel, that gentleman promised that he would
order a search to be made for the Joumsds of those
shipS:, which were formerly employed in protecting
our Greenland fisheries. ' s^.m.
w\ must, however, not forget to mention a particular
&at Mr. Van Keulen acquainted me with. He had,
lat his house last summer, a conversation with a Rus-
sian, who had passed the winter last year in Spitz-
bergen, and gave lum the following account. That
being in the utmost distress, for want of eatables, on
the North coasts he made a trial to get with his boat
tawards the middle of the island, by means of the
Bay of Wyde Bay in Gillis's map, into which he pro-
ceeded, till to his great surprise, he fell into V^ } ;>e
Jansz^s Bay, and so came out to the South of Spitz-
bergen ; but he bad taken no notice of the depths of
water. Being questioned as to that particular, he
«aid he was very sure that he did not pass through
theWaygats.

•TVf '^

„..a

jf^*

V.4 - ••-J-

"ftS

vermome'

creation I

will be

a great

different

assed but

)ut rsurely

)le to pro-
which'I
ague had
iti^tipon
he would
8 of those
protecting

particular
He had,
(ith a Rus-
r in Spitz-
int. That
itables, on
th his boat
a,ns of the
ch he pro-
into W} je
t of Spitz-
; depths of
ticular, he
iss through

«:.

iM*<^« ■-.•,j'

jp» '^

THE NORTH POLE.

121

In all my conversations with our Greenland cosor
manders, I never failed to ask which course they
would take to reach high Northern latitudes; the
result was, that they would never seeL it to the
Westward of Spitzbergen, but run out to the North,
from the West coast of Nova Zembla ; Mr. Baskets
reasons and those of other commanders were,
1st, That all the Western coasts of the Northern

countries were, for the most part, free from ice,

occasioned by the winds and tides chiefly coming

from the East, which experience proves.
2d, That the ice comes originally from the Tartarian

rivers j for, that the sea never freezes but where it

is calm, and at the same time a great quantity of

snow falls.
3d, That near the Seven Island, navigators often

meet with a great Northeast Swell, which proves,

that at such time the sea, to a considerable distance

to the Northeast, is not locked up by the ice.
4th, That the drift wood could not come to the

Northward of Spitzbergen, in case the seas be*-
' tween the North of Asia and that island were fi*o- '

zen; whereas a great quantity of that wood is
'driven on the North coast of Iceland, which is a

demonstration that the currents come from the

Northeast.
5th, That in some of the trees the marks of the axe

were very plain, and the colour of the wood so '
r fresh, that they certainly had not been six months

in the sea.
dih. That some whole trees appeared with buds

thereon, which they think could not have remained

■flW

"'^m

•■ "■■ ■ ! ■> »»'«!/

122

ON APPROACHING

'¥J(!

'•!»■■

(>' 80 fresh, if the trees had been a year in the salt

'^- 'water. 'f

7thv That the East of Greenland was now discovered

"' to the latitude of 791', that it probably extended

' farther to the North Northeast, which they look

upon to be the cause of the stoppage of ice be-

tween that coast and Spitzbergen, and the reason

' why they never find a Northwest or Northerly

swell.
8th, That generally all ships, which had once got to
the North as far as 82°, met with little or no
obstructions firom the ice ; and more arguments to
the same purpose. There were some, however,
would rather make the trial between Spitzbergen
and the land discovered by Mr. Gillis.
N. B. They knew nothing of the Papers read before
Hhe Royal Society.

. -W:

TO ROD. VALLTRAVERS, ESQ. tic.

SIR,

Professor Allamand, being very desirous
that the inclosed might be sent to you as soon as pos-
sible, has obliged me to draw up with haste the above
account of Hie informations I received at Amsterdam.
In reading it over and comparinj^ it with my notes, I
find no fault as to the facts rela-ed, vrhatever there
maybe in the manner in which it is drawn up ; in
case the whole or any part of it should be thought
worth publishing, I hope you will be bo, good as to
have it corrected.*

* This hath been done in some trifling particulars, relatire
merely to the style, as Captain May is not a native of England.

■(»..»»

..r'

*r ft

iSt

•

THE NORTH rOLE.

123

I could have made it more circumstantial, as my
notes are very full, in particular with regard to the
reasons our commanders gave for not making the
trial to the West of Spitzhergen, &c.

I am informed, that Mr. De Bougainville intends
to go by the way of Nova Zembla*
I am, with profound respect.

Sir, ,

^ Your most obedient humble Servant, i^

WILLIAM MAY.
Leydtn, April nth, mb.

'•yH*»

'■■■ir ■

.a*

Thus do the Dutch seamen, employed in the
Greenland fishery, agree with our own countrymen,
in never having so much as heard of a perpetual bar-
rier of fixed ice, to the Northward of Spitzhergen, in
80T°,t which indeed is one of their most common
latitudes for catching whales, whilst all of them sup-
pose the sea to be generally open in those parts, and
many of them proceed several degrees beyond it.

I shall only add* that, in my former pamphlet4 I
have mentioned a fact or two I had reason to expect
from the Rev. Mr. Tooke, Chaplain to the factory at
Petersburgh, which he conceived would strongly
prove that the sea is open to the Pole, and which I

* This voyage of discovery, however, did not take place, ^j,

t One of them indeed says, that the ice frequently packs in that
'. latitude, which he supposes to arise from the meeting of two
cnrrents.

4^ Page 47, note.

-r^

•#

'i^-

•IM'^i-'

124

■%
•»

>v.

^■■'%' 4'

ON APPROACHING

have since received in a letter'from him dated the
26th of May last.

Mr. Tooke hath been assured by several persons,
who have passed the winter at Kola in Lapland, that
in the severest weather, whenever a Northerly w»nd
blows, the cold diminishes instantly, and that, if it
continues, it always brings on a thaw as long as it
lasts.

He hath also been informed by the same authority,
that the seamen, who go out from Kola upon the
whale and morse fisheries early in March (for the sea
never freezes there,) throw off their winter garments
as soon as they are from fifty to one hundred wersts*
from land, and continue without them all the time
they are upon the fishery, during which they expe-
rience no inconvenience from the cold, but that, on
their return (at the end of May,) as they approach
land, the cold increases to such a severity, that they
sulier greatly from it.

This account agrees with that of Barentz, whilst

he wintered in Nova Zembla,t and of the Russians in

Maloy Brun ; the North wind cannot therefore, during

the coldest seasons of the year^ be supposed to blow

' over ten degrees of ice.

Governor Ellis indeed, whose zeal in prosecuting
the attempt of discovering the Northwest passage
through Hudson's Bay is so well known, hath sug-
gested to me an argument, which seems to prove the

<r-,

* Three wersts make two miles,
t See Thoughts on the Probability, &c., of reaching the North

Polei

;::)u^

»u)ptv

^■■4-

..T

■ ■«:';■';"

"ij^d'*?,*

.if ^

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■■■•"^ .-r"»iw-./^ .„ ., ^...,

.,-*«.:■' ^^mi^ -.■'•»,t*^'^i)^f/^.*r

THE NORTH POLE*

11'.

125

absolute impossibility of a perpetual barrier of ice
from 80i° to the Pole.

If such a tract hath existed for centuries, the
increase, in point of height, must be amazing in a
course of years, by the snow, which falls during the
winter, being changed into ice, and which must have
formed consequently a mountain perhaps equal to the
Peak of Teneriffe.* Now the ice which sometimes
packs to the Northward of Spitzbergen, is said com-
monly not to exceed two yards in height.

D. B . \

* Mr. De Luc observes also, that the ice upon the Glaciers ia
always increasing. — See his interesting observations on those moon-
tains of Switzerland. A,. ..,„

( 1

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OBSERVATIONS

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v.v-

'(^

■^^m- '^

on THI

FLOATING ICE,

WBIOH II rouND itr

I HIGH NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN LATITUDES.

SiNCF the return of the King's ships from voyages
of discovery, both in high Northern and Southern lati-
tudes, I have found that it hath been a disputed point,
whether the ice which they have met with was formed
chiefly from the salt or fresh water. I should rather
conceive that this doubt must have arisen from what
is mentioned by the great Mr. Boyle, in his experi-
ments on heat and cold ; or from an observation of
M. Adanson, at the end of his voyage from Senegal,
because from the quantity of ice merely (at least to
the Northward) the early navigators never conceived
that it was produced from sea water.

In full proof of this, not to state the opinion of
several others on the same head, I shall content
myself with citing that of Sir Martin Frobisher, who
is well known to have made three successive voyages
to Greenland, with a farther intent of discovering the
Northwest passage firQm Europe to the Pacific ocean.

'■-V

S '^

:'><

128

ON APPROACHING

f^^

j»^

III the second voyage of this celebrated navigator,
he observes : —

** We found none of these islands of ice salt in

taste, vt'hereby it appears that they were not of the

jf ocean water congealed, which is always salt, but of

some standing or little moving lakes ; the main sea

freezes not, and therefore there is no Mare Glaciale.''''

In his third voyage he most anxiously repeats this
same opinion, and in still stronger terms, so that
what he hath thus laid down was not an occasional
observation merely, but what he had mpch reflected
upon, and found to be confirmed by his experience
in those Northern seas.*

This opinion of Sir Martin Frobisher's seems not
io have been disputed by any one, till the time of
Mr. Boyle, who observes, that there are several in
Amsterdam, who used to thaw the ice of sea water
for brewing, and then cites Bartholinus De jyivis usu.
it De ghcie ex aqud marind, certum est si resolvatur^ sal-
sum saporem deposuisse^ quod non ita pridem experius est
Clarissimus Finkius in glaciei frustisy ex portu nostro
dlaiis^'\ ■ .♦^ '' A. ^

I shall not now criticise either what falls from Mr.
Boyle himself, or from Bartholinus, though it is very
clear that the ice alluded to by both must have pro-
bably been formed from fresh water, either in the
rivers or lakes, which empty themselves into the Zuy-

> » See Hakluyt, vol. ii. p. G2 and 67. In 1776, Mr. Marshall,

Captain of a Greenland ship, was so good as to bring me a bottle of
water, which was melted from ice found floating in the Spitzbergeii
seas, and which had not the least saline taste.
.<•« > V " t Boyle'a Worl^f , vol. ii. p. 264. folio. ,.

■^4,

#:.

■•^''- ^^•■■v

■'■♦

•r

gff^yjg^

THG NORTH POLL

139

der Sea, because I shall hereafter contradict the
assertion of Bartholinus, by the actual eiperiuient,
which I have tried myself during the late hard frost.

To do justice indeed to Mr. Boyle* he afterward,
upon more mature consideration, shows it to be hit
opinion, agreeable to that of Sir Martin Frobisher,
that the fresh water obtained from ice floating in the
sea proves it could not have been formed from the
ocean, ** because the main sea is seldom or ever
frozen."*

The next author who supposes that congealed sea
water is by this process rendered sweet to the taste,
is M. Adanson, who informs us, that, upon his return
from Senegal in 1748, he carried two bottles of sea
water, taken up on the coast of Africa, from ^est to
Paris, which, during an intense frost, was so frozen
as to burst the bottles, and the contents afterward
became palatable.t

To this fact I shortly answer, either that the bot-
tles were changed, or otherwise that M. Adanson
does not meo^MM the circumstance by which the taste
of the sea v Miar was thus altered upon its being dis^
solved. Mr. Nairne hath been much more accurate
in stating his experiments with regard to the freezing
sea water, in a paper read before the Royal Society
on the 2d of February, 1776, as he mentions, that,
in order to clear the ice from any brine which might
adhere to it, he washed it in a pale of pump water for
a quarter of an hour, after which he informs the

-■^ir'

= - v« •. -ti/

* Boyle's Works, vol. ii. p. 302.
t Voyage an Senegal, p. 190.
— 17

, -.'■■•M

7. >

V T

'^.

--N':

130

OiN APPROACHING

Mil

*■.#'

.^lisi.

* Society, that to his palate it was perfectlj free from
any taste of salt. '

This is most undoubtedly the fact, but Mr. Naime
does not seem to be aware from what circumstance
the Ice thus melted had become fresh water;* and
indeed I must admit, that upon the first experiment
which 1 made with regard to freezing sea water, I
deduced the same inference that he hath done, having
washed it in fr'esh water for the same reason that he
did, viz. to get rid of the brine which might adhere
to the surface of the ice.

To determine, therefore, whence this freshness in
the thawed ice might arise, I placed a large piece of
what remained frozen (without being washed at all

■;_^.y'.

f^-'^i

m-i'^'-

* As Mr. Nairne, in his letter to Sir John Pringle, says, that one
of his great reasons for trying these «xperinient8 was to determine
whether the ice, which floats in the Northern seas, is formed from
the salt water or not, he therefore should have thawed the ice pre-
cisely under the same circumstances with the sea water adhering, as^
the navigators take it up. The truth is, that, if the piece of ice

, formed from sea water is at all large, the adhering salt water can
scarcely effect the taste at all ; and I have melted the central parts
of a pretty large mass, which became very salt after dissolution,
though entirely detached from the sea water in which it had been
frozen. "In the severe frost last January (viz. 1775,) some salt
water, being set abroad, froze into an ice, which was not solid but
porous, the hollows being filled with the saltest part of the water,
for the ice when drained was quite fresh. The salt water being again

< set abroad, froze as before, what remained still unfrozen was now
become exceeding salt, but the ice drained and dissolved was little
if at sil brackish ; by this experiment, if another time more fuUy
repeated, it may be found to what degree the saltness of water ma}'
be increased, by continuing to freeze away the fresh water." — Mr.

, Barker in Phil. Trans, vol. Ixvi. p. ii. 1776. p. 373.

*%*■

\ . .* . .

••:»'

■m

'^:

* ■:,■•"

*^^

.«a

THE NORTH POLE.

■V !'-"lf

131

in pump water) to be dissolved before the fire, which
tasted very salt, as one might naturally suppose.

The weather continuing to be very severe, I froze
more sesC water, repeating the experiment of freshen-
ing it or not, by leaving or not leaving it in pump
water, which always turned out uniformly to be the
same ; and the reason of which is the following : —

When sea water is frozen, it does not form ice
similar to that from fresh water, being by no meant
BO solid or trcmsparent, as it consists of thin laminae
or plates, between which the brine is deposited, and
if the ice is accurately examined, the small portions
of brine between the plates may be easily distin-
fished. If this brine therefore is removed, the
laminee of ice when dissolved, becomes sweet to the
taste, but, if thawed together, with the brine inter'-
cepted between the laminae, the taste is salt, nor can
the ice be considerably divested of the brine, by
merely leaving it to drain.

Having satisfied myself thus far from the fireezing
sea water by the natural cold, and under the com-
mon circumstances of exposing it to the air in small
china cups, I applied to Dr. Higgins to prosecute
these trials with his more ample apparatus, and
knowledge of chymistry ; who was immediately so
good as to suggest and try the following experiments,
which will throw farther light upon this subject.*

'* It would be great injustice to Mr. Lomonosoff, a Swedish
<:tiynii8t, not to mention that he seems to have tried experiments
similarto those which' I have made myself, and found the result to
be as I have stated it. Collection Acad€mique, torn. xi. p. 6. et seq.
4to. Paris, 1172. — See also the Probability of reaching the North
Pole discussed.

-•-^

'^-

SW'"

-fj-jf ^^^i^^^^^^^j^^^^P^

^H-

A*#r

132

ON APPROA^ ING

"January 2d,* 1776. A gallon, Winchester mea-
sure, of sea water, which I had fresh imported from
Mr. Owen in Fleet-Street, was placed in a shallow
dish, of Welsh ware, glazed yellow; the depth of the
water was three inches and a half in this shallow
dish, which I marked A, and placed on a brick wall
eight feet high above the ground behind my house
This wall on the Eastern side faces the gardens
belonging to five or six houses in the same street with
mine ; and on the Western Lide of it is the area
between my house and the elaboratory ; and West-
ward of my area is the garden of Messrs. Wedgwood
and Bentley, which I believe is forty feet wide,
bounded on the West by high buildings.

*^ At the same time I placed another gallon of the
same sea water in a glass body. The column of
water in this vessel was about thirteen inches high,
about six inches diameter at the base, and about
three inches at the mouth of the vessel. I placed
this body with the sea water close by the vessel
marked A; so that both were equally distant from
the adjoining houses; and after marking the glass body
B, I covered, the vessels A and B with glass basoiis
in such a manner, that the air might communicate
with the surface of the water, but rain or snow might
be excluded. '^f^r -i^'-

*'A Thermometer was placed between these
vessels. . < - •%; ;;"'^ i^.-' -

« From the 2d to the 7th of January, the mercury
in the thermometer stood, at various times, as low as

* Mr. Naime began his experiments at the latter end of this
Inootb.

,R;.

«l

Mi.

THE NORTH POLE.

133

:ir end of this

31° of Fahrenheit; and Thames water, in shallow
wooden vessels, placed on the ground, near the wall
above-mentioned, was often frozen to the thickness
of a crown piece. Bat an earthen oil jar containing
twenty gallons of Thames water, and a like jar con-
taining twenty gallons of distilled water, and each
covered with a pewter dish, preserved the water
contained in them from freezing during this interval.

« About the 7th of January, the mercury in the
course of twenty-four hours did not rise above 31**,
but sometimes sunk to 30°. Ice was formed in the
vessel marked A, but none in the vessel marked B.
Ice was at the same time formed in the great jars
containing Thames water and distilled water ; and ta
a thickness much greater in the Thames water than
in the water distilled. The ice obtained from the
vessef A was all formed on the surface of the water ;
and consisted of thin laminae adhering to each other
weakly, and intercepting in their interstices a small
portion of water, which was saline to the taste.
This ice, beaten gently with a glass pestle to divide
the laminae, then drained, and then washed in dis-
tilled water, tasted like the ice of fresh water; and ^
being placed in a glass funnel before a culinary fire, ^
so that the w'ater might drain oiT as soon as formed,
it dissolved in half an hour, and not in less tidie,
although the thermometer placed at the same dis-
tance close to the funnel rose to a hundred and sixty;
and the side of the funnel next to the fire was hot to
the like degree, as nearly as could be ascertained by
the touch. The water of the ice thus melted was
fresh and palatable, and measured half a pint.

>.\

•«i

'fK^^i

«p i »»>f fcj"

«A

'.i/

^-sH-

■r~:

4t*

134 ^ ON APPROACHING «»

** From the 9th of January to the 11th inclusive,
'the mercury rose some days to forty, and during
three or four hours on other days it sunk and re-
mained at thirty, and sometimes for an hour or less
it sunk to twenty-nine. But it did not remain at
thirty during any of these days for more than four or
five hours, unless at the hours of rest, when no ob-
servation was made. During this period, a thin coat
of ice, like the former, was produced on the water
in the shallow vessel A ; but no ice was formed in
the vessel B.

" January 12, the thermometer pointed for several
hours between thirty-one at the highest, and twenty-
nine at the lowest. A thick crust of ice, of the
'texture before described, was formed in the vessel
A. This ice, broken, washed, and dissolved, became
fresh water, measuring a pint or more. This quan-
tity of ice, placed in a funnel before a fire, in the
circumstances eilready described, was not all dis-
solved in an hour and ten minutes. No ice was
formed in the vessel B.*

" January the 13th at night, and 14th in the morn-
ing, the thermometer sunk for some hours below
twenty-seven, and did not rise during sixteen hours
above twenty-eight. The water in the vessel A,
_ remaining after the foregoing congelations, ' was
frozen to the thiclgiess of a quarter of an inch in

* " The foregoing observations were committed to writing on
the days when they were respectively -made, but the day of the
mouth was not theu accurately noted. It may therefore be found
that I have placed some of the foregoing temperatures a day before
•r after that on which they were observed."

Y'"^'-

THS NORTH POLK.

135

the centre, and three quarters ,of an inch in the cir-
cumference ; but no ice was formed at any greater
depth in the water. This ice, like the former, was
laminated, and when bruised and washed, it formed
frQsh water to the quantity of three pints.

<* On> the same day, viz. 14th of January, in the
morning, the thermometer pointii% below twenty-
seven, the Thames water in the great jar was frozen
to the thickness of three or four inches, if not more,
contiguous to the jar and the surface. The distilled
Thames water in the other jar was frozen to the
thickness of two inches, or thereabouts, and con-
tiguous to the jar and surface of the water ; and the
sea water in the glass body marked B was for the
first time frozen. On the surface, and in the centre
of this surface, the ice was half an inch thick ; at the
circumference it was an inch thick; and from the
circumference and surface the ice formed contiguous
to the glass, in such a manner, that the crust was an
inch thick near the glass and surface ; but as it pro-
ceeded downwards towards the wider part of the
glass, it tapered to an edge, terminating within an
inch of the bottom of the vessel. ^i

^' Thds all the ice was formed on the surface and
contiguous to the glass, and was thickest where the
vessel was narrowest ; that is the quantity of ice was
inversely as the diameter of the vessel. This ice
resembled that obtained in the shallow vessel in its
laminated structure and sponginess, and in its enve-.
loping a portion of the salt water, with this difference
only, that the laminae shot vertically, and from the
circumference, inclining towards the centre, not di-

1 ^i

136

■^4 '*'^.■)tj[^^>

ON APPROACHING

IT \

J :i

.^.:- V:

'^■i n

.N^

rectly, but so as to form ivith the centre an angle of
about fifteen degrees. This ice, bruised and washed,
# melted to a pint and a half of pleasant fresh water.
The time and heat were nearly the same as I de>
scribed above. ,

**■ Mr. Barrington, at this and former periods ob-
served, that the Separation of the laminae of the ice
by bruising accelerated the effect produced by
washing ; that is, the extrication of the intercepted
brine.

" January the 19th at night, the mercury in the
thermometer sunk to twenty-six. The sea water,
remaining after the foregoing congelations in the flat
dish marked A, was frozen so far, that only a pint
remained fluid at the bottom. This ice was in all
respects like the former portions. Bruised, washed,
and pelted, as on former occasions, it gave a quart
of fresh water. At the same time the water in B was
frozen in the manner before described, but in a
larger quantity, and some laminae of ice shot close to
the glass as far as the bottom of the vessel. This ice
bruised and washed as formerly, and placed before
the fire in a glass funnel, melted in a heat of a hun-
dred and sixty, in an hour and a half, to oile quart
of fresh water.

»' January the 20th, the mercury, which stood at
twenty-seven in the morning, and fell to twenty-six
towards twelve o'clock, fell in. a few hours to twenty-
four, and, before nine at night, fell to twenty-three.
Only a thin coat of ice was formed on the water in
A, which I did not disturb, expecting It to freeze
deeper during the night. The water in the vessel

THE NORTH POLE.

137

B was frozen to some thickness at the surface, and
contiguous to the sides of the glass body, but not at
the bottom. Expecting a stronger congelation, I
suffered this also to stand until the next morning, and
consequently could not determine the quantity of ice
formed in it, otherwise than by feeling near the
surface, whereby I presumed the quantity of ice to

' be equal to that last obtained, and formed in the
same manner. ,v;jv > .

" January the 21st in the morning, the thermome-
ter pointed to twenty-eight. The thin crust of ice,
observed on the preceding night, did not appear to
be increased or diminished in the vessel marked
A. The laminae of this ice adhered so weakly, that
the whole crust could not be raised without breaking.
This ice, bruised and well washed, dissolved to near
half a pint of water, brackish to the taste. And the
same day, in the morning, the ice in B was removed,
bruised, and washed ; it melted to a pint or more of
fresh water.'*

..iv" From the 21st to the 26th of January, the water
in the vessel marked B was frozen twice, and the ice
formed each time was bruised and washed, and
melted to fresh water, both portions measuring one
pint or more. "^ • '■' ' ';:f^

.• " From the 26th of January at sun set, to the 27 th
at eleven o'clock in the morning, the mercury in the
thermometer stood, at the usual hours of observation,
between twenty and eighteen. The water remaining
after the foregoing congelations in B was frozen so
far, that only half a pint remained fluid. Th« ice,

.■*s»'' ■'

.l^.

■?'

138

ON APPROACHING

bruised, washedf and dissolved, tasted a little brack-
ish, and measured one pint and a half.

" On the 28th of January the mercury stood in the
morning and until four o'clock in the afternoon be-
tween twenty-two and nineteen, and before eleven
o'clock at night it sunk to seventeen. Very little ice
was formed in the ves>6e\ B ; and what was formed
very easily crumbled or fell to small flakes in at-
tempting to take it out. I therefore suffered it to
remain in the liquor until the morning.
. " On the 29th of January the mercury stood be-
tween twenty and twenty-two until six o'clock j and
between twenty and nineteen, from six until twelve
at night. The quantity of ice, formed on the pre-
ceding day, was not notably augmented or diminished;
bruised, washed, and melted, it yielded two ounces
of water, brackish to the taste, in a greater degree
than any of the foregoing portions which were
washed.

" On the 30th of January, finding that the tempera-
ture of th^ preceding evening, of the night, and of
this day, which was between nineteen and twenty-
one, had caused no notable congelation in the small
quantity .of water remaining in B; finding also that
the residue of the water in A admitted of no farther
congelation worth notice ; and considering that the
slender laminse of ice, lately formed in these waters,
melted to salt water, and consequently that no farther
congelation, capable of separating the fresh water
from the brine, even with the assistance of washing,
could take place ; I mixed the concentrated brine in
A with that in 6, and found both scarcely measured

<*t

THE NORTH POLE.

139

a wine pint ; some small crystals were found in the
bottom of both vessels, which sunk in the brkie, and
were to the taste sea salt. It is hence evident that
some sea salt is formed in crystals by the concentra*
tion produced by cold acting gradually, and causing
congelation only on the surface of the water, or not
affecting that part of it which is contiguous to the
bottom of the vessel.

*^ The quantity of these crystals of sea salt was
about two grains. I poured them together with the
water into a china plate, set in a sand heat, and, by
crystallization, obtained sea salt and the other saline
contents of sea water, in a dry form, near two ounces,
avoirdupois.

" Now, as this quantity of sea water (that is, two
gallons) taken on our coast, generally yields about
seven ounces of saline matters, it appears, that two-
thirds or more of the sea salt, and bitter salts of sea
water, are intercepted in the ice of the successive
congelations, and are washed away by fresh water,
applied as above-mentioned. Hence we learn that
sea water may be freshened by freezing, provided
the brine enveloped between the laminae of its ice be
washed away. And in cold countries salt might be
prepared from sea water at a very moderate expense ;
for by freezing shallow ponds of this water, by turn-
ing the ice to drain off the brine, and when the brine
is reduced to a twentieth part or less by evaporation,
very little evaporation and fuel will be necessary
towards the formation of the salt* But all the salt

-5*:

k
•^

#•

* " Wallerius says, this art is practised in the Northern coun*

tries."

i'-^

r -»

\ ,

.'Si«t

•\

.;»

lif

140

ON APPROACHING

i^'t 'W

of the sea water employed will not be obtained,
because the greater part of it will be retained be-
tween the laminae of the ice, which must be re-
jected; and the concentration by freezing cannot
be advantageously carried farther than is above
expressed, because at that degree of concentration
the cold, and the time necessary to cause farther
congelations, must be very considerable, as will the
waste of salt likewise, since the ice is then strongly
saline.

" A small portion of the ice, taken at various times
from B since the 26th of January, was not washed,
but only left to drain in a funnel ; and each portion
thus drained during five or six days, being Separately
dissolved, tasted strongly of salt, although the like
ice, which was bruised and washed, yielded fresh
water. This proves that washing removes the inter-
cepted brine ; and that this brine does not separate
by draining. ^.'

« January the 20th, at eight o'clock in the evening,
the thermometer pointing at twenty-three, in the open
air where the thermometer stood, I mixed snow with
smoking spirit of nitre, and placed in the mixture a
glass half pint tumbler full of sea water ; and at the
same time placed the thermometer in the mixture.
In two minutes the mercury sunk out of the tube
quite into the globe. The scale extends only twenty-
five degrees below of Fahrenheit; wherefore I
could not determine how many degrees lower it
would have sunk on a more extended scale. In five
minutes some slender laminae of ice began to shoot
from the circumference of the water, and adhered to

?»•/■•

tit-i :rWc>:,

-e-V

.^'

THE NORTH POLE.

141

the glass. The whole water was not frozen in less
than an houTy at which time the mercury in the ther-
mometer rose to twenty degrees below 0. Having
another mixture of the same kind ready made, I
briskly removed the tumbler with the ice it contained
into the fresh mixture, which, like the former, sunk
the mercury into the globe.

" The ice of sea water is more opaque than that of
fresh water, when both are naturally congealed.
For the elastic fluid in common water forms bubbles
only in the central parts of the water last frozen ;
but the ice of sea water consists of alternate parts of
ice and brine; the density of which being unequal,
and the matter of them being also dissimilar, light
cannot be freely transmitted, but ^s partly reflected
and refracted, according to Sir Isaac Newton's ideas
of light.

" In the experiment last mentioned, the ice was
commonly opaque ; and when it was exposed to the
fresh frigorific mixture, it became like a mass of snow
compressed, having a snowy whiteness and opacity,
perfect near the surface, but not perfect toward the
bottom.

" The tumbler, with the ice it contained, was kept
in this last mentioned mixture an hour, when the
mercury denoted that no farther degree of cold could
be given by this mixture. The tumbler was then
placed in snow until the next day, to preserve the
ice for farther observation. Nothwithstanding the
extreme cold to which it had been so long exposed,
and the cold medium in which it was placed, the ice
was not solid hke that of fresh water, but, on the

WN APPROACIIIKO

..*, * '.

|«i-':

contrary, could easily be cut through the centre of
the mass with a knife. The ice tasted equally of salt
through the whole masSf in the same manner as a
like quantity of sea water. Bruised briskly, washed
as already described, and melted, it yielded fresh
water to the quantity of four-fiilhs of the water frozen;
wherefore in washing very little ice was dissolved
whilst the salt water intercepted in the ice was
removed.

»' Mr. Barrington having observed that an artificial
freezing commences from the bottom and sides of the
mass of water placed as usual in the frigorific mix-
ture, but that natural freezing commences on the
surface and proceeds downward ; and it occurring to
me that the specific gravity of incongelablc brine is
greater than that of the congelable water; and, con-
sequently, that this greater specific gravity favours
the separation of brine from the ice of sea water,
when the freezing commences on the surface of sea
water, and may be an impediment to the separation
of the incongelablc brine from the ice artificially
formed in the sea water, when the congelation pro-
ceeds from the bottom upwards : on these considera-
tions it seemed that the foregoing experiments indi-
cate, that ice formed in sea water cannot, when
melted, become fresh water, unless it be washed in
fresh water ; but do not fully prove, that ice formed
on the surface only, and proceeding slowly down-
wards, in sea water, may not consist of fresh water,
and be freed from brine, by reason of the specific
gravity of brine and other unnoticed circumstances.
Therefore, on the 21 st of January, at two o'clock.

.-;3^ ^ "!|t-r^'*..^-i'i

■■-:ill<K^.'^9*^..f^

''^•7'^ZS^^

THE NORTH POLR.

143

when the mercury stood in the open ftir at twenty-
nine, I made the following experiment, with a view-
to determine whether sea water, frozen artificially
from the surface downwards in the manner performed
by nature, would not yield ice of a solid texture
capable of melting to fresh water without washing,
merely by draining ; which must take place in moun-
tains of ice, if any are formed in the Northern Sea;
because, ice being specifically lighter than water,
and the access of congealed water being at the base,
the portions first frozen will be raised above the water
by succeeding portions frozen, and thus a mountain
of ice may be raised, whose mass and height above
water will be to the massive base immersed in water,
inversely as the specific gravity of ice is to that of
water.

**1 placed therefore a gallon of sea water in a
glazed earthen vessel, whose diameter was one third
greater than the depth of the water. In this water I
slung a thin glass bason, cut from a bolt head, capa-
ble of containfng near two quarts of water, in such
i%inner that it might be immersed two inches deep
in the sea water. The vessel containing the sea
water was surrounded with snow. I then filled the
bason, which was suspended in the sea water, with
snow pressed down with a glass pestle, and poured
into the snow the usual quantity of strong nitrous
acid. ^, ^ _^^ , ,^^

"In fifteen minutes some crystals of ice were formed
on the interior glass bason, in the part where it was
contiguous to the surface of the sea water. In three
hours the whole bottom of the bason, containing the

. d

.f^'.i

144

trtiiUf'^,

ON APPROACHING

U i .

frigorific mixture, was coated with ice, thg thickness
of which was half an inch or less at the bottom of
the bason, increasing to three-fourths of an inch at
the part which corresponded with the surface of the
water.

"I easily "separated it entire from the bason,
found it somewhat firmer in its aggregation than the>
ice slowly formed by natural freezing, and not com-
posed of laminae like this latter, but similar in tex-
ture to the salt water frozen by artificial cold applied
in the usual manner. I placed it on a heap of snow,
where it remained to drain upwards of six hours, but
still was wet to the touch on the surface, and in the
fi'esh surfaces of the fractured parts. I then placed a
part of it in a glass funnel before the fire, to melt,
and found the water strongly saline to the taste, but
not near so saline as equal parts of sea and river
water mixed.

« Another portion of this ice, which was wrapped/
up in filtering paper, and left to drain on a heap of
dry snow during four days, when melted, was saline
to the taste, and not sensibly difierent from that
w:hich had drained only six or seven hours. Whence
it appeared, that ice formed in the sea water, in cir-
cumstances similar to thpse which attend natural
congelation, is, nevertheless, saline to the taste. • ■
• ** The several portions of water obtained in the
foregoing experiments, from the washed ice of the
sea water in A and B, being preserved in glass stop-
per bottles, were not examined. Although they
were fresh to the taste, it appeared by the quantity
of lima eor:M^ which they all formed with saturated

^^.

i m i iiwi w

MHlbW»SeM>-'.'

THE NORTH POLE.

145

nitrous solution of silver, that they were strongly
impregnated with marine salt, comparatively with
Thames and New River water, examined in the like
manner.

*' Mr. Barrington observing, that salt in water is an
impediment to the congelation of that water, pre-
sumed, that salt in water would accelerate the thaw-
ing of ice immersed in it; and that in equal tempe-
ratures ice would be thawed in sea water sooner
than in fresh water. I theiefore made the following
experiment.

*^ January the 20th, when the thermometer pointed
to twenty-three, about nine o'clock at night, I placed
five ounces and half a drachm, avoirdupois, of
Thames water in a half pint glass tumbler ; and the
like quantity of the same water distilled in another
half pint glass tumbler of equal figure and capacity
with the foregoing. The tumblers were placed on
the wall formerly described, and left there covered
with glass until eleven o'clock next morning.

« In the morning, at eleven o'clock, the thermome-
ter pointed to twenty-eight. The water in both tum-
blers was frozen quite through, and formed masses of
ice, transparent as crystal in every part, except the
centre, and near the bottom, which parts were ren-
dered opaque to the thickness of half an inch, by a
number of air bubbles locked up in the ice. The
distilled water had been kept several days in the jar
above described, whose mouth was only covered
with an inverted pewter dish. • * . ; ,.;

" Into a glass tumbler, capable of holding a Win-
chester pint or more 1 put a wine pint of Thames

'■-i

146

t'^ ON APFROACHING

Si •

-J.

i'r:.T

♦i^:-

water; and into another tumbler of the same figure and
capacity, I poured a pint of sea water concentrL:ed,
by freezing one fourth of it, the better to represent
sea water of the great oceans, which are not aiTected
by rivers so much as the sea water used in these
experiments must be, as it was taken up near the
North Foreland. The sea water was thus concen-
trated for these farther reasons : first, that the effect
of salt in the water might be more conspicuous dur-
ing the thawing of the ice ; and secondly, to prevent
the first portions of ice thawed from diluting the salt
water to a degree which never is found in the ocean.
I reduced the sea and the Thames water, contained
in these tumblers, to the same temperature exactly,
in the open air ; then taking hold of each by the sum-
mit of the glass above the water, I carried them into
my study, and placed them on a carpet fifteen feet
equally distant from the fire, and three inches from
the wainscot of the wall opposite the fire, and equally
distant from a door . on one side, and a window,
which extends within fourteen inches of the floor, on
the other. The tumblers containing the frozen water,
were immersed in a large pan of hot water, close
to each other, and near the centre of the pan,
the water rising to the height of the ice in the
tumblers ; after a few minutes the ice was thrown
out, by inverting the glasses on clean paper. The
two pieces of ice were equal in size, figure, and
weight; the weight of each being five ounces
avoirdupois.

« The moment before the ice was taken out of the
tumblers, I found the temperature of the sea and

■'■^^

-ss

e figure and
ncentrcied,
o represent
not affected
id in these
ip near the
1U8 concen-
at the effect
)icuous dur-

to prevent
ing the salt
m the ocean.
*, contained
ure exactly,
by the sum-
id them into
it fifteen feet
inches fi*om
, and equally
I a window,
the floor, on
frozen water,
water, close
of the pan,
; ice in the

was thrown

paper. The

, figure, and

five ouncei

en out of the
the sea and

: 1

THE NORTH POLE.

147

fresh water, placed as above-mentioned, 'to be equal, /
and exactly thirty-four; the temperature of the air in '^
that part of the room being forty-six. I plunged the
pieces of ice immediately, one in the sea water, the
other in the fresh water. It was at this instant two ,
o'clock in the afternoon. In ten minutee the tempe-
rature of the sea water was thirty-two, that of the
fresh water was thirty-three and a half. In half an
hour the sea water raised the mercury to thirty-three :
the fresh water raised it to thirty-four and a half.

« At this instant, viz. half an hour past two o'clock, '
I took both the pieces of ice at the same time^ '
weighed them briskly, and replaced them in their
respective vessels at the same instant. Of the ice
placed in the sea water, half an ounce was dissolved; .
of the ice placed in the fresh water, only four
drachms and a half were dissolved. - •

" From half an hour past two o'clock until six I
fi'equently changed the position of the tumblers,
making one take the place of the other. At six, the
temperature of the sea water was thirty-six, that of
the fresh water was thirty-seven and a half. In the
manner already mentioned, the ice was at this time
weighed and replaced. Of the ice in sea water
three ounces and four drachms were dissolved ; of
that in fresh water, only two ounces and eight
drachms.

" It is observable, that the sea water was a degree
and a half colder, ever since the immersion of the
ice, than the fresh water, acted on by the like mass
of ice, and placed in the like circumstances ; and
nevertheless the ice was dissolved much quicker in

i^'is

I--*

.*^

■ijf?

148

ON APPR0(ACHmO

the colder sea water. The quicker solution of the
ice in sea water was evidently the cause of the
greater degree of cold preserved in it during four

M hours ; and it already appeared, that salt water is a
more powerful solvent of ice than fresh water in the
like temperature. And, agreeable to Mr. Barring-
ton^s suggestion, the matter which impedes the con-
gelation of water must of course facilitate the thaw-
ing of ice. The nitrous acid furnishes us with
another strijcing instance to this efiect ; for no cold
can be produced to freeze the water in it ; and a red
hot ladle cannot thaw ice placed in it, so quickly as
ice is thawed by nitrous acid.

" At ten o'clock, or in eight hours after the pieces
of ice were first placed in the sea and Thames water,
the temperature of the sea water was thirty-nine,
that of the Thames water only thirty-eight. At this
time, of the ice in sea water four ounces eight
drachms were dissolved ; of the ice in Thames water,
four ounces only were dissolved. The sea water
being at this period warmer than the Thames water,
*' corresponds with the small portion of ice remaining
in it, compared with that remaining in the fresh
water. The temperature of the room in the place
where the tumblers stood, being, by reason of the
fire kept constantly in it, forty-four or forty-five, for
the last six hours.

" In twelve hours, or at two o'clock in the morn-
ing, the temperature of the room near the vessels of
water being nearly the same as formerly described,
the temperature of the sea water was forty, the tem-

i perature of the fresh water was thirty-nine. Four

■^-

.,M.

J- >.

• *

THE NORTH POLE.

149

ition of the

luse of the

during four

t water is a

vater in the

Ir. Barring-

les the con-

e the thaw-

es us with

for no cold

; and a red

quickly as

r the pieces
tames water,
thirty-nine,
;ht. At this
•unces eight
lames water,
3 sea water
lames water,
:e remaining
n the fresh
n the place
tason of the
)rty-five, for

in the morn-
le vessels of
[T described,
ty, the tem-
aine. Four

>*4 A

ounces fifteen drachms '^ the ice in salt water were
dissolved, only one drachm remaining; four ounces
ten drachms of the ice in fresh water were dissolved,
only six drachms remaining.

<•'' At the end of the thirteenth hour, after the im-
mersion of the masses of ice in the fresh and in the salt
water, that is, at three in the morning, the tempera-
ture of the room was forty-five near the place where
the tumblers stood. The temperature of the open air
was thirty-one. The ice in the sea water was melted.
The quantity of ice remaining in the fresh water was
one drachm, which, in fifteen minutes more, was
entirely melted. •t"^:-' ■■

,, " At this period, when the ice in the fi^sh water
was melted, that is, a quarter of an hour past three,
the mercury stood at forty in the fresh water, in the
salt water it stood at forty-one. In a quarter of an
hour after this, the mercury stood at forty-two in the
salt water, and at forty-one in the fresh water. In a
quarter of an hour more, the temperature remained
unalterable in the salt and fresh water, although the
temperature of the air between and near the vessels
was forty-five, and the vessel on the right was placed
on the left., and replaced several times. And both
vessels were at all times equidistant from the wain-
scot, which was perfectly close, as were the boards
of the floor also. s - .. .^ ',

** In a quarter of an hour more, the temperature of
the air near and between the tumblers remained
forty-five; the temperature of the fresh water was
scarcely forty-two; the temperature of the salt water
was forty-two and a half, v* i v. ^. ;4f>$;'V

"61=

■f I

%Vf

■r, *

^^*.

'* f M —

150

ON APPR0ACHIK6

^?4:

%*"

■ .»f ■:

i* .

" In a quarter of an hour nibre, the temperature of
the air between the tumblers being forty-four and a
half, the temperature of the salt water was forty-
three ; the temperature of the fresh water was some-
what more than forty-two. It was now past four
o^clock in the morning, on Monday the 22d of
January. I went to bed, leaving the tumblers in the
position described, ^-j r,^. ..>~. . , .., ^^^ :Aiy .-. .

" It was observed, during the foregoing and other
experiments, and it is visible, from the experiments
related, that fire, in diffusing itself from warm bodies
to contiguous cold bodies, proceeds slowly ; that cold
bodies do not acquire the temperature of the warmer
medium in which they are immersed so soon as is
commonly imagined, but, on the contrary, require a
considerable time for that purpose ; and this time is
directly as the diameter of the cold body.

" It was inferred from these experiments, that a
temperate body, like water, placed in a cold medium,
as in air, cooled to thirty or thirty-one of Fahrenheit,
requires many hours before it acquires the tempera-
ture of the surrounding medium, and before a conge-
lation commences ; and that the time necessary for
tlie commencement of the congelation is directly as
the mass and shortest diameter of the water, and the
progress of the congelation is inversely as the depth
©f the water. ^

"It was also observed, that as much of let given
mass of water was frozen in five hours in a tempera-
ture of twelve degrees below the freezing point, as
was frozen in one hour in a temperature fifty d^reeS

i»

,j|.

^^'

TItE NORTH POLE.

131

below the freezing point ; and that long duration of
the temperature between twenty and thirty-two is,
towards the congelation of water, equivalent to inten-
sity of cold, such as is marked 0, and below 0, in
Fahrenheit, but of short duration. ^

« It was moreover observed, that water in thick
jars covered was not frozen, when water in open
vessels was frozen ; that water included in massive
vessels of wood, or surrounded by any matter except
water, to some thickness, preserved its temperature,
and resisted congelation, longer than the like quan-
tity of water exposed to the cold air ; and that water
in thick vessels was not frozen so soon as a like
quantity of water in thin vessels of like matter, figure,
and capacity. It was thence inferred, that fire does
not so quickly pervade thick bodies as it does thin
bodies; and that fire pervades water more freely
than it does solid bodies, and sooner diffuses itself
from water to air, than from any other body contain-
ing water to air. ^'.V'-.. ^^#'^' l'V>.'''^**^'^:<!'>' 'TJ* .

" Thence it followed, that in reasoning on the phe^
Bomena of congelation, the masses of water, the
duration of cold temperature in the atmosphere, and
the masses of other matter surrounding water, are to
be considered. Deep rivers and lakes do not fi-eeze
so soon as shallow rivers and lakes. Large bodies
of water are never frozen in any temperature of
short duration ; but shallow waters are often frozen
in the summer. >i »v •

"It need not be presumed, that certain lakes
which are never frozen, communicate with subterra-
neous fires, or hot mineral streams ; or that they ar«

«»■

* X'

f f

f^ * i*

'•*'

V ,/

■1

> »

152

ON APPR0ACHIK6

'!!

impregnated with matter which impedes congelation:
but it is rather to be presumed, that as fire slowlj
pervades, enters, or quits bodies, the time necessary
for its diffusing itself from deep lakes to the cold
atmosphere is greater than ever such temperature of
the atmosphere continues without intermission below
the freezing point. .*" v ^ ■

« By the like reasoning applied to masses of earth
and other matter, which are not so quickly pervaded
by fire as water is, we can conceive why deep wells
and springs at or near their issuing from the earth
are not frozen in this climate, even when navigable
rivers are ice-bound. We also understand why the
main pipes, buried in our streets, retain the water
fluid, when the pipes leading from these to the
houses, and crossing the area of each house, arc
choked with ice ; and why hay bands twisted round
these small pipes prevent the freezing, &c.

" On these grounds it is presumed, that no consider-
able congelation ever takes place in the sea, because
this is the greatest and deepest mass of water we
know of; because it is always in motion, and commu-
nicates with the water of temperate climates ; because
sea water is not so easily frozen as fresh water;
because the ice found in the sea is solid, and in
transparency not different from the ice of fresh water;
and, lastly, because this floating ice, which is met
with by navigators, both in high Northern and South-
ern latitudes, when melted, is palatable to the taste ;
whereas the ice formed from sea water is very saline,
if it be thawed without having been washed in fresh
M'ater. . . , _

•^.

S-'

THE NORTH POLE.

153

«* It is also presumed, that in the deep Northem
seas the water near the surface will be found warmer
than that near the bottom at the approach of sum-
mer ; and will be found colder near the surface than
at the bottom in the first month of the cold season,
for the reasons already expressed : and in like man-
ner, that, during the first six or eight hours of a frost
in England, the water in any deep lake will be found
eolder near the surface than at the bottom, but that
the water at the bottom will be found colder than
that near the surface in twenty-four hours afler a
thaw, provided the air be temperate, or nearly so."

It having been proved, from what hath been already
urged, as well as b" the preceding experiments of
Dr. Higgins, that the floating ice, which is observed
both in high Southern and Northern latitudes, qannot
be probably formed from sea water, it may be thought
incumbent upon me to show how such quantities can
be supplied from springs, rain, or frozen snow.

The rivers, which are always found at certain
intervals in any large tract of land, undoubtedly sup-
ply considerable part of such ice ; but there are not
wanting other sources from which these floating
masses may be produced. " -

The larger and higher ice islands* I conceiv to
be chiefly formed on shore, after which they are

* Mr. Wales observes, that in the islands of ice, near Georgia
Australia and Sandwich Land, there are strata of dirty ice, wbicb
irrefragably proves their having been formed on the land. — Remarlcs
on Dr. Forster's Account, &c. 8vo. London, 1778, p. 106.

With regard to the formation of ice islands, see likewise Capteini
Cook's Voyage, vol. ii. p. 213 4ld 240; vlho conceiv6» tiiem t«

• 20

^-s

J i

1 i3
■ /? -

,. ,*.

154

ON APPROACHING

•*

Jf^,

' " ^

^ \

1* >,•

undermined by the rills and melted gnow, during the
summer, of which we have an accurate account
in the late voyage towards the North Pole.*

arise from congealed snow and sleet in the valleys. Captain Cook
also supposes, that the ice cliffs, at the end of these valleys, often
project a great way into the sea, when they are sheltered from the
violence of the wind, p. 242.

* " Large pieces frequently break off from the ice^bergs, and
fall with great noise into the water : we observed one piece which
had floated out into the bay, and grounded in twenty-four fathoms ; it
was fifty feet high above the surface of the water, and of the same
beautiful colour as the ice-berg." p. 70.

I have likewise been favoured with the following account of ice-
islands on the coast of Labrador, from Lieutenant John Cartwright,
of the Royal Navy, to whom I have not only this obligation. — See
the Probability of reaching the North Pole, p. 8.

" Dear Sir, " Thursday, Feb. 28, 1776.

" In conformity with my promise of yesterday, I now send you,
88 nearly as I can recollect, my brother's account (who hath resided
four years on the Labrador coast) of the formation of those great
massesof frozen snow, seen annually in very great numbers on the
Northern coast of America, and by mariners usually culled hlands
of ice.

" Along the coast of Labrador, the sea, in winter, is frozen to a
great distance from the land. The Northwest is the prevailing and
coldest wind. The snow, carried by this or any other Westerly
winds over the cliffs of the coast, falls becalmed upon the ice at the
foot of the said cliffs, drifting up to the very tops of them, although
many of them are not inferior to that of Dover, or those about Lul-
worth. The current of the strong Western winds having passed
these precipices, takes its course downwards into the undisturbed
air below ; but it is not until it arrives at some distance from the land,
that it can be felt on th< jrface of the sea. Having the frozen sur-
face of the sea for a base, and the precipice for a perpendicular, an
bypothenuse is made by the descending direction of the wind. The
inclosed triangle, be the clifis ever so high, will be filled with snow ;
because the tops of the adjoining hills being quite naked, are

i-.a*"*©*

'tmiuM^

THE NORTH POLE.

155

during the

te account

Captain Cook

valleys, often

tered from the

ice*bergs, and
e piece which
>ur fathoms ; it
id of the same

account of ice-
hn Cartwright,
bligation. — See

•b. 28, 1776.
now send you,
ho hath resided
of those great
lumbers on the
y^ called Islands

>, is frozen to a

prevailing and

other Westerly

a the ice at the

them, although

lose about Lul-

having passed

the undisturbed

e from the land,

the frozen sur-

irpendicalar, an

;he wind. The

lied with snow ;

ite naked, are

Others, which happen to have projected over the
sea, may have had their foundations so sapped by
the waves during a storm,* as to have lost their sup-
entirely swept clear of snow by the violence of the storms, and what
would otherwise have Iain there is carried to the leeward of the
hills, and under the shelter of the cliffs, where it is deposited in
infinitely greater quantities than it would fall in without such a
cause. The hypothenuse of such triangle is frequently of such a
slope as that a man may walk up or down without difficulty. By
frequent thaws, and the occasional fall of moisture interrupting the
frost, during the first parts of the winter, the snow will, in some small
degree, dissolve, by which means it only acquires a greater hardness
when the frost returns ; and during the course of that rigorous sea-
son it generally becomes a very compact body of snow ice. In the
spring of the year the icy base gives way, and its burden plunges
into the sea, sometimes entire, sometimes in many fragments. As
the depth of water in many parts is forty, fifty, one hundred fathoms,
and upwards, close to the shore, these bodies of ice, vast as is their
bulk, will frequently float without any diminution of their contents,
although the very large ones do often take the ground, and sometimes
are not sufficiently reduced by either the penetration of the sea and
the rain water, or of a whole summer's sun, to get at liberty again
before another winter. • "^

; " The above relation, which my brother gives from his own ob-
■ervation, in North latitude 52° 15', accounts very naturally and
easily for the formation of that surprising number of the vast pieces
of ice which is annually seen on the Labrador coast, and considerably
to the Southward. .',;.'

" Jonk Cartwrioht."

* " The sea has washed underneath the ice cliffs, as high as the
Kentish Forelands, and the arches overhanging, support mountains
of snow, which have lain since the creation." — ^Wood's Voyage,

p. 20. - ■\- ■■ -;v'-. . ■ '.. '■ .: ■' '■■ : ■

" Cuncta gelu, canaque ^ternJUh) ^hdine tecta, ^f .. \
Atque aevi glaciem cohibent, riget ardua mentis * ' '''*
iEtherii facies, surgentique obvia Phcebo,
' Dnratas nescit flammis mollire pruinas."

Silius Italicus, lib. iii. I. 480.

t 1

■f

;#•■'

%•

Idd

pK APP110ACHIN9

t*f-

K-

port ; whilst others again may have been red from
the mass to which they before adliered by the expan-
sive power of the frost. •

, Great part of the field, or lower ice, I take to be
formed by the sdow falling on the sands left bare for
Bix hours (from half ebb to half flood) which imme-
diately dissolves upon touching the sands, and, before
the tide returns, becomes solid ice ; part of these
pieces are by the wind, or tide, again returned to the
same sands, where they again meet with another
store of ice, formed during another six hours, which,
in the course of a winter, must, by packing, accumu-
latle to immense masses. That this is not mere con-
jecture, but the fact, I appeal to Captain Jameses
account of what he himself was witness of whilst he
wintered at Charlton Island, in Huflson's Bay.t

Now, if we examine a globe, we shall find, that
from sixty to seventy degrees of Northern latitude
more than half its circumference is land, which is
open to a Northern Sea, from which large tract of
coast much greater quantities of floating ice may be
derived than have ever been met with by navigators,
without being obliged to suppose that any part of it
is formed from sea water. *=»'■•

But it may be said, that our late enterprising navi-
gators to the Southward have also met with as great

* " The rocks along the coast burst with a report equal to that of
artillery, and the splinters are thrown to an amazing distance." Mr.
Wales, in Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ix. p. 125.

t For Captain James's account, see Boyle, vol. ii. ; as also Har-
ris, vol. ii, p. 420. where it is considerably abridged, and differs in
some few circumstances. It is stated, however, that in few hours
the snow thus frozen will be five or six feet thick. **

-H.^.

/ .

TUB NORTH POLB. r,

137

reft from
lie expan*

ake to be
fl bare for
ich imme-
ind, before
of these
ucd to the
h another
irs, which,
;, accumu-
mere con-
in James's
' whilst he

1 find, that
rn latitude
I, which is
^e tract of
ice may be
navigators,
y part of it

rising navi-
th as great

iqual to that of
itance." Mr.

; as also Har-
and differs in
: in few hours

^ quantity of ice in the opposite hemisphere, without
scarcely discovering any land. <

To this I answer, that their circumnavigation was,
at a medium, about 57* degrees of Southern latitude,
though they made pushes greatly to the Southward
in three points, and in one of these to 71' 10'. In
the other instances, as far as 67* and 67* SC.

There is consequently a very large space in which
there may be many a frozen region, which they have
not had any opportunity of discovering. If, for exam-
ple, a navigator from the Southern was sent upon
discoveries to the Northern hemisphere, and Europe,
as well as Asia and North America, having been sunk
by earthquakes, was to report that he had circum-
navigated at 55* North latitude at a medium ; made
pushes even to 71* in different directions, without
seeing any continent ; and that therefore there was
no land to the North of 55*, his countrymen would
be much deceived by such report, because Den-
mark, Norway, Sweden, Muscovy, Tartarian Asia,
and part of North America, continued in their
present situation.

Besides, however, the ice which may come from
Terra del Fuego, Captain Cook hath discovered two
frozen islands between Cape Horn and that of Good
Hope, which were covered with ice and snow.*

* Hence whatever land is discovered to the South of this latitude
must produce ice. There is also a ittrge tract of hind, named in
Bome maps the Gulf of St. Sebastian, which is not far distant from
Georgia Australis, and which possibly may have escaped CuptiUn
Cook. This great navigator also conceives, that the ire floats from
^0° South, and is detached by accidents from land lying to the

•ff^

158

ON APf*ROACHINa

' 1^^

v^"

The first of these, situate in 54% is called Georgia
JimtraUs ; and the second, Sandmch Land^ in 59**,
which appeared so large, to some eyes, that it was
conceived to be part of a continent.*

It is believed also, that no ship hath been beyond
48"* to the Southward of New Zealand ; and from the
coldness of the most Southern of these large islands,
I cannot but suspect that there is a considerable tract
of land between it and the Pole.

Having thus endeavoured to account how the float-
ing ice which is met with may be supposed to be
formed from snow or fresh water ; I cannot but risk
another conjecture, that the time of the year at which
atte;npts are commonly made to make discoveries
towards the two Poles (though favourable in many
other circumstancest) is probably the season when
the greatest quantity of floating ice will be observed.

South of that parallel, as the currents in the Antarctic seas always set
to the North. — Cook's Voyage, vol. i. p. 268.

Captain Fumeaux in 1744, passed between Georgia Australis and
Sandwich Land (rather supposed a continent,) without seeing either
of these new discoveries, though the mountains on both are remark-
ably high, particularly U^ose in Sandwich Land, one of which, by
several, was considered to equal Teneriffe.

Captain Fumeaux could not have been well more than two
degrees from either of these countries. — See his Track in the lately
published map. ' :••./--

* See Captain Cook's Voyage, vol. ii. p. 230 ; where he supposes
land near the South Pole, chiefly opposite to the Southern Atlantic,
and Indian Oceans, as on those meridians ice is found as far North as
48". It is in this tract of Southern land that Cook supposes the ice to
be chiefly formed, which is met with in the Southern Oceans. — Ibid.

t Viz. The nights being shorter, and the rigging not being
so subject to being frozen.

%"
*

iif^-

THE NORTH POLE.

159

J This seems to follow as a necessary consequence
from the push being never made before midsummer,
and often a month later, which is precisely the time
when the ice begins to break up in the fresh water
rivers, &c.

I have accordingly minuted down, from several
voyiiges in high Northern latitudes, the day on which
the navigators first mention seeing the floating ice.

The result of which is as follows : —

* .r I ■ ■ ■ .

Sir Martin Frobisher on the 23d of June, — ^Hack'
luyt, vol. ii. p. 77.

Davis in his first voyage, July 19th. In his third,
July 2d.— Ibid. p. 99. ^ v r . ^

Pet and Jackman on the 13th of July. — ^Ibid. p.
447.

Burrow on the 21st of July. — ^Ibid. p. 277.

Governor Ellis, July 5th. — ^Voyage to discover the
Northwest passage, p. 127.

"The shores of Hudson's Bay have many inlets or
friths, which are full of ice and snow, and frozen to
the ground. These are broke loose, and launched
into the sea, by land floods, during the months of
June, July, and August." — Ibid.

" The first floating ice, which is observed on the
coast of Labrador is a joyful presage to the inhabit-
ants of the approach of summer." — Lieutenant Cur-
tis, in Philosophical Transactions. . -• ,

"The ice begins to break up the 18th of June." —
Danish account of Greenland. — Voyages auJVordy vol.

i. p. 167. :'■ ■■■■.'■■-^■^- •■ • ^' :■■;■-' -^ ■. .; -

(

• 4

I i

3!*

)*•.

i •

■#

160

^^'i' I 6V APl>R0ACHl5tf

^ The lakes of Lapland continue frozen on June
the 24th." — Linschoten^s Voyage, ibid. vol. iv.

^ On the 5th of Julj, the sea on two sides is ob-
served to be covered with ice." — Ibid. p. 187. .^

Wood sees the first ice in North latitude 75" 59', on
June 22.

On the 17th of August vast pieces of floating icp.—-
Ibid.

" In the month of August th6 French observe, on
the Labrador coasts, mountains of ice as high as the
ships." — Boyle's Works, vol. ii. p. 303.

"On June 16th, a river in Hudson's Bay breaks
up." — Mr. Wale?, in Philosophical Transactions,
vol. Ix. p. 126.

" The mouth of the Lena is not open till the middle
of August." — Observations Geographiques, par M. Engel^
p. 229. /.'■ i,. • ,'>^> V _ , , . ^-<>j. :W,v ;.j.-i :^ .

With regard to the ice which may be observed irt
Southern latitudes, I shall only take notice, that Sir
Francis Drake, Feuillee, and Clipperton, passed
Cape Horn, or the Straits of Magellan, during the
month of December, without mentioning ice,* froni
which it should seem that it breaks up chiefly during
the months of January, February, and March, answer-
ing to our July, August, and September.!

* See Callander's Voyages under these thrfle articles.

t It may possibly break up in some years earlier, perhaps in
December ; but some time must be allowed for its floating to the
North, as far as the latitude of Terra del Fuego. From the instaaces

#
p. 811

■" ^ '^

■,:>'

on June

es is oIh

5' 59, on

ngicp^

serve, on
:h as the

4^y ', ..

y breaks
isactions,

le middle
VI. Engely

)served in
t, that Sir
I, passed
uring the
ce,* fromi
dj during
I, answer-

THE NORTH POLE.

161

Three Dutch ships, which sailed on discoveries
with Commodore Roggewein, 1721, met with much
ice to the South of Cape Horn in the middle of
January. The Author of the Narrative afterward
makes this obse 'ation: " Those' mountains of ice,
which are seen in the latitude of Cape Horn, prove
that there is land towards the Southern Pole, it
being certain that this ice cannot be formed in the
ocean, though the cold is so severe."*

But it may, perhaps, be said, that the ice which
breaks up in June, July, and August, or during the
correspondent months in, the opposite hemisphere,
may remain floating for years without being much
dissolved.

To this I will not take upon myself to say that
some such islands, when very large, may not con-
tinue more than a year; but I should conceive this
not to be very common. Storms and other accidents
must probably break them into small musses which
will quickly be thawed ; as that able geographer and
promoter of discoveries, Mr. Bailiff Engel, observes,
that if a piece of ice is fastened by a cord and let
down into the sea, it is presently melted.f

Mr. Wales also informs us, that he supposes most
of these islands of ice are soon wasted, in the follow-

.■•(i

perhaps in
ating to the
he instaaces

cited, it appears that the earhest floating ice which is seen in the
Northern hemisphere is not observed sooner than the 16th of June,
whilst in much the greater part mention is not made of it till July.

* Histoire de V Expedition ietrois Vaisseaux, Sfc. Hague, !739.
p. 81.

t See Obiervationi Geographiques, p. 224. '
21

■^'-

,♦

162

ON APPROACHINCi

■*^'-

- ^■

ing words : '^ The truth is, their motion and dissolu-
tion are apparently so very quick, that I am of opin-
ion it must be a pretty large island which is not
dissolved in one summer."*

How soon likewise does the ice disappear, which
is discharged from our own rivers into the sea, after
our most intense frosts ? v> ••*

1 have omitted stating the degree of cold at which
the sea water I exposed to the air began to be frozen,
and cannot now recover the memorandum which I
made at the time. I am pretty confident, however,
that the mercury had sunk only to twenty-seven.

But though congelation thus took place at five
degrees below the freezing point, it is proper that
I should state some other circumstances attending
the experiment.

The sea water which I used came from the North
Foreland, which is at the mouth of the Thames, and
consequently, not being the same with that of the
ocean, was more easily frozen.

Besides this, the quantity was so small as not to
cover a thin china bason deeper than an inch, both
which particulars contribute greatly to the more
speedy formation of ice ; it need scarcely be men-
tioned also, that the li juid to be frozen v«^as in a
quiescent state.

How much a considerable degree of motion im-
pedes congelation, may be inferred from what may
be observed in every river; for as high as the tide
hath any force, I doubt much whether any ice is

* Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ix. p. 112.

■i^

dissolu-

of opin-

2h is not

ir, which
^ea, after

at which

e frozen,
which I

however,
even,
se at five
•oper that

attending

the North
ames, and
hat of the

as not to
inch, hoth

the more
f be men-

v/as in a

notion im-
what may
ls the tide
my ice is

y ,^

'T*

■<>W^'

THE NORTH POLE.

16'3

acarcely ever formed in the fair open channel, during
our most intense frosts. 1 attended to the Thames,
in this respect, during the late severity of the weather,
and it seemed to me that all the ice floated down
from the upper parts of the river ; but packing after-
ward between the lighters, occasioned the formation
of very large masses.

I have little doubt, from these circumstances, but
that the open sea, if it be frozen at all, must require
a much more intense cold than twenty-seven ; allow-
ing however any greater degree of cold in the high
latitudes, it seems deducible, from the experiments
of Dr. Higgins, that sea water cannot be frozen into
a solid state, if compared with that of ice formed
from the water of rivers; nor will such ice when
melted become palatable, unless it hath been pre-
viously washed in fresh water.

Hence it seems almost to be demonstration, that
the floating ice met with by navigators, being both
solid and sweet to the taste after dissolution, cannot
be produced from the water of the ocean.*

I will venture also to insist, that if such ice was
actually frozen from the ocean, it must very quickly
be melted, because, as it must consist of detached
laminse intercepting the brine, the sea would soon
insinuate itself between the interstices, so as to cause
its dissolution. If any ice, therefore, should be form-
ed in those parts of bays which are land locked,

* The ice taken up by Cuptain Cook, during his circumnavigation
in high Southern latitudes, was sohd and transparent : being placed
idso on the deck for the salt water to drain off, the ice became whole-
•iomo and palatable water.

;■»■

■*f.

164

ON APPROACHING THE NORTH POLE.

have, little or no tide, and receive con8iderab)«;
quantities of fresh water, when such ice is wafted
fairlj out to sea, I should conceive that it must dis-
appear in a very short time. . , ,^.

♦

O.'C

■Sfi.

i, ',•*,■ ^

.^'-f^.

• M ■

•»'

APPENDIX.

>''

J- "s 1-
t '

PAPEH8

APPROACHINQ THE NORTH POLE

AND ON

A NORTHWEST PASSAGE.

COLONEL BEAUFOY, F.R.S.

The Papers are extracted from Thonuon's Annals of niilosophj, by pemiissiou
ef Colonel Bcaufov.

W- 'f '

'■^i' ^

'■si?:

,tf-

■fi V

-. ,^.

%■

1 \

-,' ?■-•■

. 1

» - ,T
■ 5.

« .

A;.^

.■vV^'j-':; ■•,,

< ' • ,' ^ ■ - ■ - - ■ >^ .■ .

~ t

'.■'"(ti^; -^ii-. ■•*;-

■?->

APPENDIX.

A, V QUERIES

r ■ REIPEGTINO

THE FRODABILITT OF REACHING,

FROM

The Island of Spitzbergen, the ^orth Pole,

*;,,v'^^ ^

BY MBANI OF

REIX-DEER, DURING THE WINTER ;

' —: -•>'; •' AND

'■;;_•■ .■\^' ANSWERED fV -.r^-^v. • ,-.;- .

PERSOJ^S WHO WIJ^TEBED THERE.

Some years past I was impressed with the idea of
the possibility of reaching the North Pole from Spitz-
bergen, during the winter, by travelling over the ice
and snow in sledges drawn by rein-deer. There-
fore, with the view of determining how far this plan
was practicable, I sent several Queries, and re-
quested Answers to them from Russians, who were
at that time living at Archangel, and had wintered
in those remote islands. Those Queries, together
wit. the Answers, are as follow, as I leani from con-

•t i.

^, i^

i * V

168

ON APPROACHING

:,tf.

versation that the practicability of such a journey,
conducted in a similar manner, is entertained by
well-informed persons ; and, before a plan is put in
execution, it is desirable to know what has been
previously done on the same subject. The 31st and
33d seem contradictory, probably from some error in
translating the Questions into Russ, or the Answcrn
into English. '

- '' '' •

1. Query. How many settlements have the Rus-
sians on the island of Spitzbergen, and which is the
most Northerly ?

^ Answer. There are neither settlements nor fixed
inhabitants in Spitzbergen, except those fishermen
who go there in quest of fish, and likewise of those
animals from Megen, Archangel, Onega, Rala, and
other places bordering the White Sea, in vessels
from sixty to one hundred and sixty tons. They sail
from the above-mentioned places, those for the sum-
mer fishery in the beginning of June, and those for
the winter in June and July. They arrive on the
West side of Spitzbergen, and commonly return
home, the former some year in September, and the
latter the next year in August and September. They
winter in the Gulfs of Devil Bay, Clock Bay, Ring
Bay, Crus Bay, German Island, Magdalene Bay, and
to the Northward in Liefde Bay, and others. The
farthest North our fishermen ever have sailed to is
Liefde Bay, and from thence in small boats as far
as Nordoster Island.

2. Q. At what time of the year does the winter
commence?

Idk-

f -

■» Jl » ; «^.^ «^^|.«

THE NORTH POLE.

169

journey,
ined by
is put in
as been
31st and
error in
Answers

the Rus-
ch is the

nor fixed
ishermen

of those
iala, and
1 vessels
rhey sail
the sum-
those for
e on the
\y return

and the
T. They
ay, Ring
Bay, and
rs. The
led to is
ts as far

le winter

A. The winter generally sets In about the latter
end of September and beginning of October.

3. Q. Is it ushered in by storms ? and is any one
wind particularly productive of them ?

J. A. The winter sometimes sets in with winds from
the North, North Northwest, and Northwest; and
sometimes commences with calm weather, hard frosts
accompanied with snow.

4. Q. Is the weather, generally speaking, calm in
winter, or are the winds high ?

A. The winds are very high and frequent; so
that two-tliirds of the winter may be said to be
boisterous.

5. Q. What quantity of snow do you suppose falls
annually ; that is, to what depth on the ground ?

A. On even places the snow is from three to five
feet deep ; but the winds drive it from place to place,
so as sometimes to render all paesage impracticable ;
and on the coasts between the hills there are moun-
tains of ice, occasioned by the pressure of the waters
and drift of snow.

6. Q. Are the storms of snow frequent, and of
long duration?

A. The storms of snow are very frequent, con-
tinuing for two, three, and four days, and sometimes
for as many weeks; but the latter do not occur
above once or twice in a year. •- ^i- '

7. Q. Is the cold much more severe at Spitzber-
gen than at Archangel ? Has the degree ever been
ascertained by the thermometer.^ If it has, what
was it? -• ■•;, .V v(-*i:>,vf^i ^>-->v-. '^>V •^-J'^^'l-^^y^if-

.:0

Al>

ON APPnOACHINU

A. From the fishennen^s remarks, the cold is
more severe at Spitzbergen than at Archangel ; but
the degree is not known, as the people who go there
have no thermometers.

8. Q. Is the cold ever so intense as. to. render
going abroad dangerous? ' -*■ ■- ' -

A. The cold is never so severe as to hinder
the fishermen, they being accustomed to it, from
exposing themselves ; but sometimes the winds and
drifts of snow confine them to their huts. .>:.. "<riui«'.'

9. Q. Admitting it to be so, by what exercise do
the Russians keep ofi'the scurvy ? . i. </:^'

A. When the last-mentioned weather is an obt
atacle to their leaving their huts, they keep off the
scurvy by the exercise of throwing the snow from off
and around their huts, which from stormy weather
are often buried ; and in order to get out, they are
then obliged to make a passage through the roof.
They likewise oppose the distemper by making use
of a particular sallad or herb, which grows there on
stones, and with which they generally provide them-,
selves in due time against winter; but sometimes,
from necessity, they are obliged to dig through the
snow for it. Some of it they eat without any pre-
paration; and a part they scald with water, and
drink the liquid. They also carry with them for the
same purpose, as a preventative, a raspberry, called
in Russia moroshka^ which they preserve by. baking
with rye flour, which they eat ; and when pressed,
drink the juice. They also take fir tops with them,
which they boil; and the water they drink as an
antidote, likewise against the scurvy.

•mi

THE NORTH ^OLB.

171

10. Q. In what manner are the huts constructed ?
A. The huts the people use, they always take

with them in their vessels, and on their arrival there
put them together. They are constructed of thin
boards, and in the same manner as the peasants*
houses here. They likewise generally take brick*
with them for building their stoves ; but when they fall
short, clay found there is made use of in their stead.
Their largest hut, which is erected in the ncighbout-
hood of their vc^isels, boats, &c., is [torn twenty to
twenty-five feet square, and serves as a station and
magazine ; but those huts the men erect who go in
quest of skins are only from seven to eight feet
square, and in the autumn are carried along the
shores in boats, and put up at distances from each
other of ten to fitly Russian versts. They take the
necessary provisions with them for the whole winter
to serve two or three men, as many generally occupy-
ing each hut. ^"

11. Q. What fuel have they, and in what manner
are their huts heated ? • ■ -- •*

A. The fuel commonly used for hieating their hut's
is wood, which they likewise bring with them in their
vessels, and land at the station hut. In autumn the
necessary quantity for heating the aforesaid small
huts is conveyed in boats, or on small hand sledges,
to the destined places. They often meet with wood
there too, thrown by the sea on the shores.

12. Q. On what kinds of provisions do the Rus-
sians subsist during the winter ?

A. The provisions they subsist on during the win-
ter consist in rye flour (of which they make bread,)

1^-

»■

IP.* ^;

v..

# .

-f

172

•N APPROACHING

salt beef, ealt cod, and salted halibut, butter, oat
and barley meal, curdled milk, peas, honey, linseed
oil ; all which they bring to Spitzbergen with them,
and divide the same proportionably by weight to
each man. Their employers allow them provisions
for one year and a half, besides which the fishermen
kill wild-lion deer in winter, and birds in summer,
which are experienced to be excellent food, and very
healthy.

13. Q. Do they chiefly use spirituous or malt
liquors.^ -.■-,■.. ...,.m ■. .,., .»■.:.•-■ i-^i^iifet- -^

A. They chiefly drink a liquor called nuas^ made
from rye flour and water. Malt and spirituous
liquors are entirely excluded and forbidden by their
employers, to prevent drunkenness, as the Russians,
when they had it, drank so immoderately that work
was often neglected entirely.

14. Q. When in tlie open air, how do they defend
themselves ?

A. They defend themselves from the rigour of the
weather by a covering made of skin, above which
they wear another made of the skin of rein-deer,
called kushy^ and wear boots of the same.

15. Q. Do they not use masks, and omit the prac-
tice of shaving .^ 1 . - --.'■'-

A. They use no masks, nor do they shave ; but they
wear a large warm cap, called tmechy, which covers
the whole head and neck, and most part of the face.
They also wear gloves. of sheep-skin. ^^ •.•

16. Q. Do the inhabitants cross the country dur-
ing the winter? ; ^. „ . - . ; , .

.'■ ii;'«(7r j :j ',':,

THE NORTH POLE.

173

utter, oat
y, linseed
vith them,
weight to
provisions
fishermen
1 summer,
, and very

i or malt

uas^ made
spirituous
n by their
Russians,
hat work

ey defend

our of the
ve which
•ein-deer,

the prac-

but they

:h covers

the face.

ntry dur-

A. There are no inhabitants, 'as said before ; but
the fishermen who are there for a time, do go over
firom one island to the other of small distances.

17. Q. How do they travel, at what rate, and how
carry the necessary stock of provisions for their sub-
sistence during the journey ?

A. They travel on foot ; that is, on snow skaits,
and draw their food after them in small hand sledges ;
but those who bring dogs with them make use of the
same. When travelling, snow is their drink. Horses
or rein-deer would be of no use to them for the con-
veyance of their provisions ; nor have they any.

18. Q. By what means do they procure w^ater;
and is it by melting snow, or do they find springs ? ^

A. They use spring water when it is to be had,
often take it from lakes, and from necessity, some-
times dissolve snow ; but it seldpm happens that they
are in want of fresh water, because they commonly
pitch on those places w^here it is to be met with.

19. Q. Is not the ice so firmly consolidated as to
render all passage across it from one island to the
other perfectly safe during winter ?

A. The ice at Spitzbergen is well consolidated ;
and in some places the flakes run to a great height,
one on another, which makes even the passage on
foot very difficult; other places are quite smooth,
except those gulfs which run into the land about
twenty versts, where the ice is continually floating
and drifting ; but travelling with horses or rein-deer
is quite impossible.

20. Q. Is not the ice rendered smooth by the
interstices being filled up with snow ?

■i*

ir:

* ,.; '5^

174

ON APPROACHING

-m

A. As before said, the ice is made smooth by the
Bnow filling up the inequalities. / ■

21. Q. Does any danger arise either in crossing
tLe land or the ice, from the drifting of the snow }

A. They do not journey in winter, as beforemen-
tioned, except to islands at trifling distances ; and a
traveller is in much danger if surprised by a sudden
gale of wind, accompanied by drifts of snow ; he ia

obliged to lie down, covering himself with his <,

and remain so secured till the hurricane is over ; but
when it continues for any length of time, th^ poor
wretch often perishes.

22. Q. What degree of light is there in winter ?
A. The fishermen do not know what the degree

of light may be in winter; indeed, they are ignorant o*'
the meaning of the term : however, they say that from
the latter end of October to the 12th of January the
sun does not appear above the horizon, which causes
a continual darkness, and obliges them always to
keep a light in their huts by burning train oil in
lamps ; but as soon as the sun makes its appearance,
the days increase very rapidly.

23. Q. What difference does the absence of the
moon occasion ? Are the stars in general brilliant ?
Can you see to read when the moon is under the
horizon ?

A. From the appearance of the moon in her
second quarter to her decline in the last, the nights
are very luminous, and the stars f xtraordinarily light
both day and night. In the gloom of winter the peo-
ple keep time from the position of certain stars.

f .

V:?''

THE NORTH FOLK.

175

When the moon is below the horizon, it is impoBsible
to read.

24. Q. Is the Aurora Borealis very brilliant ; and
in what part of the horizon is it seen ?

A. In the dark time of winter the Aurora Borealis
in commonly seen most strong in the Norih, and ap-
pears very red and fiery.

25. Q. Does it appear possible to cross the ice
in winter to the North Pole .'* If it does not, what
are the obstacles ? ' '

A. The likelihood of a passage to the North Pole
does not seem probable to the fishermen, as they
have not had an opportunity to attempt it ; and, from
their observations, think all passage impossible, as
the mountains of ice appear monstrously large and
lofty. Some of the ice is continually drifting about ;
so that in many places water is discerned. Those
who have been on the most elevated parts of Nord-
oster Island declare, that, as far as it is visible,
open water is only seen ; but to what distance it
may continue so, it is impossible for them to ascer-
tain, as an attempt for the discovery has never
been made ; but seemingly it is practicable to bring
the fuel and provisions in vessels to the Nordoster
island.

26. Q. If the passage should be deemed practi-
cable, in what manner should it be attempted ; and
what means of conveying fuel and provisions appear
to be the best ?

A. As the fishermen think all passage impractica-
ble, it is not in their power to give any answer t*
this demand.

^/1
*1

v /

■.i^-,-^':h«k?;iC^.

176

?■

ON APPROACHINtf

■!

#"'

27. Q. Might not three different huts, constructed
like those in which the people of Spitzbergen live,
together with a sufficient quantity of provisions in
«ach for half a dozen of people, be conveyed on
sledges, and be letl at the different distances of two
hundred, of four hundred, of six hundred miles,
North of Spitzbergen, as places of deposit for the
assistance of those who shall undertake the journey?

A. Such huts might be built, and placed on shore,
as said in the tenth article, at a convenient distance
from their vessels ; but as for conveying them ready
built to the distances proposed appears to the people
an impossibility.

28. Q. What number of persons and rein-deer,
or of dogs, would be requisite for conveying the huts ?

A. From the mountams of ice and great falls of
snow, neither dogs nor rein-deer would be able to
to draw loads ; for the fishermen themselves, to be as
light as possible, go '>n snow skaits.

29. Q. At what price per man for each day's
journey would the people of Spitzbergen, if they
think the adventure practicable, be likely to under-
take the conduct of the sledges.? J :. ; • ;

A. As, in the last reply, the fishermen show it is
not convenient there to draw with dogs or rein-deer,
therefore no price can be said.

30. Q. Are there any persons in Archangel who
have formerly resided in Spitzbergen who would
engage in the business ? and are there any who would
be willing, in company with two Englishmen, to
attempt on this plan a passage to the North Pole ?

ji»

^■^.

THE NORTH POLE.

177

A. As there are not, nor ever were, any natives
of Spitzbergen, none therefore can be resident in
Archangel : however, many men may be met with
here who have wintered there; but as they have
never made an attempt to go to the Pole, they cannot
undertake the conduct of the business. Notwith-
standing, if an Englishman should determine on the
endeavour, some people might be met with who
would perhaps, with an English ship's company,
engage themselves.

31. Q. In the spring, have flights of birds ever
been observed to direct their course North o^ Spitz'-
bergen ?

A. It has been always experienced by those who
have been at the most northerly par ii of Spitzbergen,
that in the spring a great number of wild geese,
ducks, and other birds, take their flight farther North.

32. Q. What animals and birds have they during
the summer, and what species winter on the island ?

A. In Spitzbergen they have wild rein-deer, white
and blue fox«s, and white bears, which remain con-
tinually on the island ; but geese, ducks, 6lc. are
only there in summer.

33. Q. Those which quit Spitzbergen on the
approach of winter, in what month do they generally
emigrate, and to what point of the compass ?

A. All the before-mentioned birds on the ap-
proach of winter, that is, in the latter end of Sep-
tember, fly to the Southward, and return again in the
latter end of Aoril.

N. B. The 31 st and 33d Answers do not appa*
rently agree.

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THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE j

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«M9.

THE INSULAR FORM OF GREENLAND.

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— <«fiWV~

The reign of his present Majesty will ever be
famous for the encouragement given to science ; but
in no branch has the King^s gracious patronage been
more conspicuous than in the discoveries made by
difierent circumnavigators, especially by the immor-
tal Cook. Considering the inducement and encour-
agement held out by our monarch for exploring the
Northern Parts of the globe, and the number of ships
annually fitted out from the different ports of the
United Kingdom for Davis^s Straits, Baffin's Bay,
and Spitzbergen; it may appear very remarkable
that no new discoveries are made, or old verified, or
any voyage extended to a higher latitude than 81**
North. The King's wish of promoting discoveries in
this part of the world is evident fit)m Lord Mul-
grave's expedition, and more especially firom the Acts
of Parliament promising a reward of twenty thousand
pounds to any of his Majesty's subjects who shall
tail through any passage between the Atlantic and

180

ON APPROACH li\ CI

Pacific Oceans to the Northwards of latitude 52"
North, and also from a reward of five thousand
pounds to any British ship that shall approach within
one degree of the North Pole. To what cause, then,
can he attributed the indiflference and apathy of those
commanders of Greenland ships who, having been
unsuccessful in the fishery, might be supposed to have
it in their power to defray the expensed of the outfit
by sailing to the West or the North, with the view
of claiming one of the above rewards ? It cannot be
said with justice that the masters of our Greenlanders
are either deficient in skill, or indifferent to dis-
covery; for among them, as in other professions,
men are found of superior talent and of enterprising
spirits. The paradox will, however, be solved by
referring to the subjoined oath,* which effectually
excludes every conscientious person from endeavour-
ing to carry into execution the scientific views of the
Legislature in passing what may, without impro-
priety, be named the Discovery Act, When this
last Act -whs passed, it is probable the former Act

.'"<'••

'-JO^*!'*-'

^ The foUoTving is a copy of the oath taken by the master, and also

by the owner, of Greenland ships : " Master of the ship

maketh oath, that it is really and truly his firm purpose, and deter-
mined resolution, that the said ship shall, as soon as license shall
be granted, forthwith proceed so manned, furnished, and accoutred,
on a voyage to the Greenland seas, or Davis's Straits, or the seas
adjacent, there in the now approaching season to use the utmost
endeavours of himself and his ship's company to take whales, or
other creatures living in the seas, and on no other design, or view
of profit, in this present voyage, and to import the whale fins, oil,

and blubber thereof, into the port of Sworn at the Custom

"House."

^■

THE NORTH POLE,

181

tude 52°
thousand
ch within
Jse, then,
"f of those
ing been
J to have
he outfit
the view
annot be
nlandera
t to dis-
)fessions,
erprising
)lved by
Fectually
deavour-
\^ of the
t impro-
hen this
•mer Act

!r, and also

ship

and deter-
cense shall
accoutred,
>r the seas
he utmost
)vhales, or
I, or view
J lius, oil,
16 Custom

for promoting Northern discoveries did not occur to
the frainers. I remember some years past that a
learned and scientific Member of the House of Com-
mons was fio much struck with the discouraging
eflect of the oath, that it was his intention to have
brought forward a clause enabling the masters of
Greenland ships to prosecute discoveries as well as
to catch fish ; and it was owing to accident that a
clause of the above nature was not introduced. This
omission, however, it is hoped, may yet be supplied
at no distant period, and Greenland voyages, con-
ducted as they are by seamen best qualified for such
an undertaking, be made subservient to the exploring
of the Northern regions.

It may farther be observed, navigating among the
ice being in itself a science, men regularly brought
up to the sailing and working of ships in the Arctic
Circles should be selected for such service, in pre-
ference to those accustomed to navigate the more
temperate parts of the globe. It follows, therefore,
that if at any future period it should be the intention
of government to promote Northern discoveries, it
would be advisable, both for economy and the
greater probability of success, to hire one of the
Greenland vessels and crew, sending on board as -
many scientific and philosophical men as are deemed
requisite. The following statement was sent me
some years past by Captain Brown, an able and
expert seaman, regularlv brought up in the whale
fishery, who was willing to undertake the exploring
Baffin's Bay, or endeavouring to approach the North
Pole. He mentioned, that, though in Barn's Bay he

182

W APPROACHIVG

had frequently run to the Westward, he had never
got Bight of land in that direction ; which implies the
Northern part of America may be much contracted.
Brown, unfortunately, was killed at one of tho Sand-
wich Islands : — , "^ : ,.

.•«

" SIR,

"Jan. IG, 1789.

*'' I shall begin fitting out the first of next month
for Davis^s Straits ; and should you wish to explore
Baffin's Bay, I shall be glad to have timely notice,
that I may prepare a larger stock of provisions, pro-
vide presents for the Indians, and several other arti-
cles which will be necessary for that voyage. It will
be proper for the bounty to be paid by the Treasury,
or the Custom House Oath altered; and I think,
when you peruse the subjoined account of expenses,
you will net think my requisition of five hundred
pounds per month, for two ships, extravagant. I only
desire it to be paid from the time of leaving the
fishery in 72" North till we return to Cape Farewell;
and no payment to be made unless it shall satisfacto-^
rily appear the utmost has been done to explore Baf-
fin's Bay, Lancaster Sound, &c. The expense
government would possibly incur would be very
trifling; but as underwriters will not ensure such
voyages, the owners should be indemnified, and the
value of the ships ascertained by the surveyor who
values the transports, against the enemy, and other
extra risks. 1 have perused all the Northern voyages,
and shall perfect myself in lunar observations.

(Signed)

" WILLIAM BROWN.'

'*.•'

^■

' %

*f.

THE NORTH POLE.

183

Ship Butterwortht three hundred and ninety-two Tom,* Boats, and

fortyeight Men,
■"- « ^ PirMonlh,

1 Master 5

1 Surgeon 3 10

1 Chief Mate 3 10

1 Carpenter 3 10

1 Carpenter's Mate 2 10

1 Second Mute 2 10

1 Bontsw.-iin 2 10

1 Skim-man 2 10

1 Cooper 2 10

7 Harpooners, at 50s. each 17 10

1 Cook 2

7 Boat stcercrs, at 40j. each . '#' . . . 14

7 Line coilers, at 32s. Gd. each . , . .117

17 Men, at 30s. each , 25 10 O

48 Men's wages . . . , ,y . . . 98 7 G
Men's provision, at 30s. each . . . . 72

Wear and tear, 392 tons, at bl. per ton . . . 98

!■ ^ ^ £208 7 «

< 'abin allowances, presents for Indians, extra hquor, and other
encouragement for the people, cannot be estimated at less
than 31/. 12s. Gd. per month, making a total of 300/.

Brig Lyon one-third' less expense.

As experiments are making on the length of the
pendulum in the Orkneys, it is highly desirable that
scientific men be sent for the same object in one of
the Greenland ships to Spitzbergen; and at the con-
clusion of the fishery they might return in the same
vessels. . . .

* A Vessel ot' the above tonnage with a rising floor is the best adapted for thii ser
vlru, as it liaii a sufiicieut moRieutum ainoDg the loose ice, and is amily managed.

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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

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H: 1^ 12.0

1-25 i 1.4

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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STttEET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

'1>'

'C^

^84

ON API>llOACHIKG

Every Greenland vessel should be furnished with
an artificial horizon; of which Uie first and best is a
shallow cylinder of wood four inches diameter in the
clear, and three-tenths and a half deep, into which,
by means of an ivory funnel, is poured quicksilver.
To prevent the mercury from being ruffled by the
wind, two glass planes are placed over it, whose
surfaces are parallel, and forming an angle with each
other of 90° ; and if this be not sufficient protection
when the mercury is agitated by wind, or any heavy
object j^assing near, a circular piece of glass is
floated on the quicksilver. The second (invented, I
believe, by the late Mr* Adams, of Edmonton) is a
plane concave glass four inches in diameter, and
ground to a long radius. It is fitted into a metallic
box, with its concave side downwards. This box,
when wanted* is nearly filled with spirits, leaving a
bubble ; and by means of three screws, this bubble is
brought into the centre of the glass. On one side of
the box is a ( mall thumb screw, to be taken out when
filling, that the air may escape. This screw should
not be made of iron, because it will corrode. If this
instrument be well made, and pains taken in the
levelling, it may be depended on to two minutes,
which gives an error of one minute of -altitude.
Neither of these artificial horizons can be used when
the altitude of the object exceeds 67°.

It would be extremely, curious to ascertain the
extent of the variation of the compass in Baffin's Bay.
Captain Brown found it to be 79° 42' West, in lati-
tude 72° 46' North ; (see the Annals of Philosophy,
vol. vii. p. 14.) and there being an increase from Cape

-m

■W'-

THE NORTtt POLE.

l«d

Farewell to ^his latitude, it is not impOBsible, that in
higher latitudes the augmentation may continue, until
the needle loses its polarity; which extraordinary
declination of the compass (peculiar to this part of
the world) is so remarkable, that, were a vessel sent
for no other purpose than of making magnetkal ob-
servations, both the time and money which might be
bestowed on the expedition would be advantageously
employed for the advancement of science. The
variation of the compass in latitude 70' 17' North,
and longitude 163° 24' West, is 30° 28' East; and in
latitude 70° 38', and longitude 54° 14' West, is 74**
West ; whence it appears, that in nearly the same
parallel of latitude, and 'in a difference not exceed-
ing 109° 10', or about one thousand six hundred
and eighty-five geographical miles of longitude,
there is a difference in the variation amounting to
84° 42'. It would also be a desirable discovery to
ascertain whether on going to the Westward it would
be found that the variation gradually decreases to
the point of no variation, and afterward gradually
increases ; or whether its return be not by a sudden
jump from West to East. Observations on points of
this description, accompanied with remarks on the
depth, temperature, and saltness of the sea, and with
a meteorological journal, would contain much in-
teresting and valuable information, and throw great
light on the natural phenomena of these unexplored
regions. '■. ^ .•!-•■ ^ ■;■■ '••>' -• - :-^ ''■■'-; '\-

The depth of the sea in Baffin's Bay has been
determined beyond doubt by Brown to be more than
a mile. It is not unusual in April (the time the

•#

ft"

»86

ON AJ^PROACHING

*■ *

Greenland fp^els arrive in Daviess Straits) for Fah-
renheit's Ihermometer to stand at 10° or 22** below
freezing.

Considerable diversity of opinion prevails respect-
ing the form of Greenland, which is conjectured by
some tp bend to the Westward, and, joining the
continent of America, to form the vast and supposed
gulf of Baffin's Bay; by others, to be one large
island ; and by a third class, to be a cluster of islands
intersected by a variety of channels running from sea
to sea, but so blocked up with ice as to render the
passage between them impracticable. In a journal
before me it is mentioned that a strong current sets
round Cape Farewell to the Northwest, and that the
water breaks for several miles. It appears probable,
therefore, from this circumstance, that Greenland
does not consist of a multitude of islands ; because
in that case the current would have taken its direc-
tion between them, instead of flowing round the ex-
tremity of the land. The junction of Greenland with
North America appears to me to be likewise impro-
bable, from the following reasons : first, that Brown
(as already mentioned) never saw the Western land ;.
next, that Heam in his travels- arrived at the sea^
seals having been seen by him: and, thirdly, that
Mackenzie, whose travels lie to the Westward of
Hearn's course, came to the mouth of a large river,
which also emptied itself into the Arctic Ocean:
and, lastly, from the great probability that the im-
mense quantity of drift wood found in Baffin's Bay,
on the Coast of Labrador, and on the Nortutvest
Coast of America, has been deposited there after

<-k ft

■^"i

THfe HORTR POLE.

Id?

being brought down by Mackenzie's River, and
driven to the East and West, wd afterward South-
ward, according to the direction of the winds and
currents: all which circumstances combine, in my
opinion, to furnish a ground of belief that North, as
well as South America, is surrounded by the ocean ;
and that the Northwest Passage is to be sought about
latitude 72^ That Greenland is an island seem^
also to be highly probable, from the quantity of drift
wood found on the Coast of Iceland ; for it is much
more natural to suppose that trunks of trees found
in that part of the world are carried off from the
. Northern extremity of America, and driven round
the North of Greenland, than that, being floated from
the mouths of the Obi, Lena, and other great rivers
of Russia, they should pass Nova Zembla, round the
North Cape, to the prodigious distance of 20* West
longitude.

Cape Farewell, the Southern extremity of Green-
land, according to the Requisite Tabffs, is in lati-
tude 59" 38' 00" North, and longitude 42* 42' 00" West.
By observations in my possession, it is in latitude
59* 42' North, and longitude 45* 16' West.

(..'

THE END.