Part 10

“(_c._) Many of the most prodigious fields are entirely free from abrupt hummocks from one extremity to the other, and field ice, as it appears in general, would be easily palpable.

“(_d._) The degree of interruption from mountainous ice would depend on the quality of its surface. If, as is most probable, it were smooth, and free from abrupt slopes, it would not prevent the success of the expedition.

“2. The direct route would be pointed out, for some part of the way at least, by the magnetic needle; and when its pole should be directed towards the zenith, should that position ever obtain, the sun would be the only guide. Or, the position of the true north being once ascertained, three sledges in a line, at a convenient distance apart, might enable the leading one to keep a direct course. A chronometer would be an indispensable requisite, as the opportunity for lunar observations could not be expected to occur sufficiently often. Were the Pole gained, the bearing of the sun at the time of noon, by a chronometer adjusted to the meridian of north-west Spitzbergen, would afford a line of direction for the return; and, the position, in regard to longitude, (were the sun visible) could be corrected, at least twice a-day, as the latitude decreased. The degrees of longitude being so contracted, any required position would be pointed out by the watch with the greatest precision.

“3. (_a._) Among the dangers to be apprehended, the coldness of the air stands prominent. As, however, the cold is not sensibly different, between the latitudes of 70° and 80° with a strong north wind, it may be presumed that at the Pole itself, it would be very little more oppressive than at the borders of the main ice, in the 81st degree of north latitude, under a hard northerly gale: And since this cold is supportable, that of the Pole may be deemed so likewise. The injurious effects of the severity of the weather might be avoided by a judicious choice of woollen clothing, the external air being met by an outward garment of varnished silk, and the face defended by a mask, with eyes of glass. The exterior garment, would, at the same time, be water-proof, and thus capable of shielding the body from accidental moisture.

“(_b._) The white bear is the only ferocious animal known to inhabit those regions, and he rarely makes an attack upon man. At any rate, he might be repulsed by any offensive weapon. And, as the prey of the bears is scarce in the most northern latitudes, they would not probably occur in any abundance.

“4. Hitherto no insurmountable objection has been presented: a few serious obstacles, should they occur, remain to be considered.

“(_a._) Mountainous land, like mountainous ice, would check the progress of the expedition, in proportion to the ruggedness of its surface and the steepness of its cliffs. Its occurrence would, nevertheless, form an interesting discovery.

“(_b._) From the pretended excursions of the Dutch, many have believed that the sea at the Pole is free from ice. Were this really the case, the circumstance would certainly be an extraordinary one; but I consider it too improbable to render it necessary to hazard any opinion concerning it.

“(_c._) From the facts stated in pages 319, 320, of this paper, I think we derive a sanction for calculating on clear weather at all times, but with southerly storms; and, as these occur but rarely, the progress of the journey would not probably be suspended by an obscure sky, except for short periods, and at distant intervals.

“Notwithstanding I have now distinctly considered every obvious objection and difficulty to be surmounted, I am nevertheless sensible, that in the realising of any project or discovery, whether by sea or on land, there will occur many adventitious circumstances, which may tend to mar the progress of the best regulated expedition. Therefore, it may not be improper to confirm and strengthen the whole, by directing the attention to what has been done, in journeying under difficulties which may bear a comparison with the undertaking here alluded to, and occasionally under circumstances the most unfavourable to success.

“1st, When treating of icebergs, I alluded to the journey of ALEXEI MARKOFF, in which it appears, that he performed near eight hundred miles across a surface of packed ice, in the spring of 1715, in a sledge drawn by dogs; and consequently, that he might be supposed to have encountered the principal difficulties that could be expected in the proposed scheme, whilst we have the advantage of improving by his experience.

“2d, Speaking of the south-western tendency of the ice, I have also noticed the loss of several of the Dutch Greenland fleet in 1777, from which we learn, that part of the unfortunate suffering crews, under every privation of provision and clothing, and exposed to the severity of an Arctic winter, accomplished a journey on foot, along the coasts of Old Greenland, from the east side, near Staten Hook, to the Danish settlements on the west, a distance of near a hundred leagues.

“3d, On contrasting the projected polar journey with the catalogue of marvellous occurrences, and wonderful preservations which are exhibited in the records of maritime disasters,[41] the difficulties of the undertaking in a great measure vanish, and its dangers are eclipsed by the wonderful results which necessity has, in various instances accomplished.”

[41] “See Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea.”

FINIS.

_Extracts from Reviews in Recommendation of this Work._

“Mr. LAING performed two Voyages to Greenland, in the successive years of 1806 and 1807, as Surgeon, under the elder Captain Scoresby; whose son acted, at that time, as chief mate. His narrative is written with neatness, simplicity, and taste; and comprises, in a very small compass, what information could be desired on the subject of which it treats.”

_Edinburgh Review, No. LIX._

“Mr. Laing’s sensible and unpretending Narrative of a ’Voyage to Spitzbergen,’ forms an admirable contrast to the pompous and frothy quarto of Bernard O’Reilly, Esq.”

_Quarterly Review, No. XXXVII._

“In the little Volume before us, we have an interesting addition made to the natural history of regions of which our knowledge is as yet, comparatively speaking, but imperfect. Mr. Laing has been evidently a diligent and acute observer, and communicates the fruits of his observation in a simple and perspicuous manner.”

_Philosophical Magazine, Vol. LI. No. CCXXXVIII._

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Transcriber’s Notes

Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Other variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation remain unchanged.

Italics are represented thus _italics_.