What prospect has the expedition of success? I believe good. The magnetic North Pole differs from that of the earth's (let us call it mathematical North Pole, because it is only a mathematical point) in two particular respects: 1. The magnetic North Pole is comparatively easy to reach, whereas the mathematical North Pole has proved itself as presenting some difficulties. 2. Investigations of the magnetic pole is of much scientific interest, whereas the mathematical pole is of small or no scientific interest, to reach it is to be compared with the ascension of a high mountain.

Admitting that Amundsen's vessel is small, and smaller than that of most of the polar expeditions, still I see no reason, that he should not with that and with sleighs be able to push forward to the magnetic pole, wherever it may be either on land or sea. It is true, that with the small power of his engines he cannot expect to force his way, where the ice prevents, but when it comes to the point, it would not be any far distance, that any vessel could force itself through ice on an expedition of that kind, it would cost too much fuel. In a pinch, when a narrow strip of ice obstructs, it is well to have power, but against this counts strongly, that a small vessel like "Gjöa" is much easier to handle in the ice, to find a secure harbor on the Coast, when the ice is pressing, and especially that it draws so little water, that it can slip through into the open water, which usually is found between the drift ice and the land along most of the coast lines; there the small vessel will have advantages over the large one, as it can steal along the shallow coast, where the ice bergs, going so much deeper, perhaps lie grounded outside, and if the vessel itself should ground, it is easier to get her off than a larger and heavier vessel. I therefore think, that as for the main goal, Amundsen has reasonable prospects of reaching it, if not opposed by obstacles entirely unforeseen. The most pleasing in his plans however is perhaps, that he will not be satisfied by getting there and setting a record, but has planned his expedition so, that he should undertake a systematic investigation of the whole field around the magnetic north pole, and will in a way commence, where James Ross ended, and so to say make a magnetic chart of all this region and determine, whether this pole is one point or an extended area, or perhaps even several points. The investigations of James Ross were made with the incomplete instruments of that time, and in several respects may be doubtful; to have this region researched with a magnetic outfit so completely modern as Amundsen's is, as the prominent magnetician Professor

A. Schmidt has stated, at present the most important matter at issue in the domain of terrestrial magnetism. To find a man who has so many qualifications in the different respects, to solve the question, would be difficult.

When Amundsen has also thought of trying for the northwest passage, he does not himself seem to lay much stress thereon, but he evidently thinks, it will be an achievement, which he may take in, when anyway he has arrived so far west; and certainly many will agree with him herein. Scientifically considered this part of his plan is not so much of interest as the first; but it fits so beautifully into all of it, that it would be almost a sin to exclude it, especially as this continuation of the voyage will not fail to give important scientific results, when the time is made use of. Nor do I see any reason, that it should not succeed. That the vessel is small may as we have seen, be a defect, but has also its great advantages, and it is possible to carry fuel for the engine for many times the distance to be covered, if the vessel should find open water the whole way. The most difficult piece perhaps will be to penetrate from Bellott Strait along the west coast of Boothia Felix, the peninsula, where Ross found the magnetic pole. In the straits of this region the conditions of the ice may possibly be difficult, we know little thereof, but there is hardly any reason to suppose that they should be impossible. There is a strong, tearing current, which would seem to be strong enough to break up the ice in the summer; it only depends upon finding the favorable moment, and Amundsen is a man who seems to have time to wait; does he not get through one summer, he may succeed the next. It is also fortunate for him that this is just the locality where, for the sake of his principal object, it is especially important to make a long stay. When he first has got through this portion and reaches south to the coast of the American continent, there seems hardly to be any greater difficulties to reach the Bering Strait, and thus for the first time. complete the northwest passage. Along the American north coast there is certainly every summer sufficient open water for the "Gjöa" to steam through with its little petroleum motor.

I have heard the objection, that it would be venturesome to start out on such a long voyage with so few companions; but this objection seems little considered.

The few companions, in my opinion, is rather an advantage, especially for long voyages. The greatest danger which hitherto

has threatened such is the scurvy; but the best remedy against this is, besides a supply of good provisions from home, to be able to procure for the members sufficient fresh food; it is therefore plain that the fewer the members, the better will the game hold out that can be found in the locality. And another point: if an accident should happen, and the vessel had to be abandoned, then it is better the less members. If it becomes necessary to procure food with the rifle, it is important not to have too many mouths to feed, and even eight men may then be too many; it would be of advantage to divide in still smaller bodies, in order to have less difficulty in finding the necessary game. If the unfortunate Franklin expedition had consisted of 8 men and not of 138, we might have seen them all back to Europe in good health; instead of that, they all perished. Another advantage of Amundsen's plan is, that the whole time he will be passing through a region comparatively rich in game, where there are good prospects of keeping alive by hunting, if the vessel and outfit should get lost. It will thus be understood, that even if the expedition at the first glance may appear venturesome, it is, when more closely examined into, solidly planned and not any bolder than compares with the importance of the task.

I mentioned before, that from the beginning it was the intention of Amundsen to carry on the expedition with his own means. His plans were then to allow himself to be landed on the Hudson Bay, and then send the vessel out for a catch, in order thus to cover part of the expenses. He has certainly in a high degree improved upon the prospects of a rich scientific result, when he now will seek directly to the field of his labors with the vessel itself. But this has increased the expenses, and his own means do not any longer suffice. He has already from two private persons received substantial aid; but he needs more, and here is an opportunity for those who take an interest in this part of the research.

When Capt. Amundsen next year with his little vessel starts out on his well prepared expedition, he will be sure to have the best wishes of the whole Norwegian people, and with great expectation, we will after some years, wait for the first tidings from the brave little band, that the Norwegian flag has been carried to a new victory in the service of science.

LYSAKER PER CHRISTIANIA, 7 Novbr. 1902.

The "Gjöa" Capt. Roald Amundsen finally left Christiania, Norway, at midnight 17th June 1903 with his crew of seven men, and in due course arrived safely in Greenland. Before leaving there he presumably made known certain places on his contemplated voyage, where reports of his voyage might be looked for by whalers. The first, and only one so far, reached Norway 29th Novbr. last, having been found cached at the foot of the Franklin Monument on Beechey Island by the Captain of a Danish whaling ship and brought by him to Copenhagen. This was published, reading translated as follows: "GJÖA". EREBUS BAY, BEECHEY ISLAND, 24 Aug. 1903. The expedition left Dalrymple Island on Sunday the 16th August 1903 at 8 p. m., after having taken onboard the deposits left there, the weather being quite favorable. The members of the Danish Literary Greenland expedition were landed on Saunders Island (Agpar) and the course was then set true west. Wostenholme Sound was almost entirely free from ice, though there was considerable grounded ice bergs at the entrance. From the latitude of Cary Island the course was set straight for Cape Horsburgh, and which the expedition reached on Thursday the 20th August. The weather was clear and calm, the waters free from drift ice and but very few ice bergs were to be seen. Sailing through Lancaster Sound the weather was thick and foggy, and the wind was fresh easterly. Around Philpot Island there was a small stretch of drift ice with some stranded ice bergs in between. Outside of that no ice was met with in the Sound. Erebus Bay was reached on Saturday the 22nd, the bay completely free of ice. Yesterday from the highest point on Beechey Island it was observed, that the sea westward was free of ice. There was fog in the Wellington Channel and southward.

The Depots of the British Government were found completely destroyed. The Franklin Monument and the graves are in order. Some coals were taken onboard from the depots.

Both declination and inclination observations were taken on shore.

Declination (or variation of the compass) is about 135° west.
Inclination about 88%.

Some geological material has been obtained.

leaves this P. M. for Peel Sound.

All well on board.

The expedition

P. S.-This document will be enclosed in a tin box, which after being soldered will be deposited at the foot of the Franklin monu

ment.

In conclusion, I can only add, that this report giving the deviaion as 135° west goes to show that the magnetic pole must be to the southwest from where the observation was taken, and, what is of more importance, the inclination being 881⁄2° is conclusive proof that Capt. Amundsen was then not far from the spot where the pole is situated, for the nearer you get to it, the greater the angle until at the pole it is 90°.

The expedition was certainly extraordinarily fortunate the first year. The wind and the ice conditions were so unusually favorable, that it was not found necessary to seek the first winter quarters at North Devon Island, but the voyage was continued the first summer westward and southward towards the intended field of observations to Peel Sound and Franklin Strait along the west coast of North Somerset Island and the Boothia peninsula, where the magnetic pole is supposed to be. Under these favorable conditions the expedition will in all probability have saved one year,

We will now hope that Capt. Amundsen's expectations may be fully realized, so that he will be able to give to the world all that valuable information he is now seeking, and that we may have the pleasure of welcoming him and his seven other brave companions here healthy and well, if not this year, then next year.

Subsequent to the above paper being read, I may now add that I directed a letter to the Honble. F. S. Stratton, Collector of Customs at this port, asking the favor of having the information about this expedition conveyed to the Captain of any U. S. Revenue Vessel that might go into Alaska waters, and in case they should fall in with the expedition, to kindly render it such assistance as it might require, In reply to this, which the Honble. Mr. Stratton sent on to the Government at Washington, he kindly sent me a copy of letter he received from the Treasury Department informing him that my request would be complied with, and that the Captains would be directed to obtain information, if possible, of the expedition. The Honble. Governor of Alaska I also wrote, in case inhabitants of that Territory should fall in with the expedition, to render it what assistance it should require.