Page:Proposed Expedition to Explore Ellesmere Land - 1894.djvu/30

2 would be ruinous to almost any enterprise. What factory could run with profit if it worked only one year in ten, and every time on resuming had to set up an entirely new plant and train a new set of workmen?

The following pages are intended to show that Arctic exploration is as susceptible of system as any other business, and that by system nearly all danger can be avoided and hundredfold results obtained at a small fraction of the previous expenditure. If systematic exploration is initiated, it will necessarily put an end to all unsystematic attempts, for when it becomes evident that the citadel can be taken by siege, without risk, it will be ridiculous to try take it by storm. Thus many valuable lives and much treasure will be saved. Hence, again, if the systematic exploration is worth beginning, it is worth beginning at once.

The first requisite for systematic exploration is a permanent and secure base of operations. This base or primary station must fulfil two conditions:

(1) It must be in regular and assured communication with civilization.

(2) It must be close to the unexplored region.'

There is not in all the Arctic a point which so perfectly satisfies these two conditions as the southeast point of Ellesmere Land, at the entrance of Jones Sound, 98 miles south of the point reached by Baffin in 1616, in his sailing ship "Discovery" of 55 tons. It is annually reached in perfect safety by the whaling steamers before they go to the whaling grounds, and is thus in regular, sure, and cheap communication with the outer world. At the same time it is in the immediate vicinity of the unexplored area, being the most northerly point reached by the whalers.

At this point, therefore, it is proposed to erect a permanent station, always provisioned for two years ahead. It need not at first be large; such additions as experience shall prove to be desirable may be made in after years. It will be made cold-proof by filling the space in the double wall with magnesia boiler packing. The permanent force at this station is never to exceed fifteen, always including at least one surgeon with a complete medical