Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/138

 XVII. THE VOYAGE OF THE FRAM

1893-1896

Nansen had not been at home very long before he began making preparations for a second voyage to the icy North. This time he meant to find the North Pole if possible.

Nansen believed the theory that a current in the Arctic ocean passes over the pole. His plan was to work his way through the ice to the New Siberia islands, and then allow his vessel to be frozen in the ice pack. He believed that the vessel would be carried with the drift across the pole, to the east coast of Greenland. It was a daring plan, but the people of Norway now believed in Nansen and were willing to assist him. They gave him an amount equal to $75,600 of our money, so that he was able to equip his expedition.

First of all he had a vessel built which would resist ice pressures. The hull was shaped so that the pressure would raise the vessel up on the ice, instead of crushing her. This vessel was called the Fram, a Norwegian word which means "onward." Nansen chose his crew, all natives of Norway, and made the necessary preparations for the voyage. Enough provisions were put on board to last five years. Sverdrup, who had been so brave and helpful during the trip across Greenland, was chosen to command the Fram.