Chapter III: Introduction

First suggestion of the undertaking at a festival given
at Bremen in honour of Dr. Petermann and the First German
Arctic Expedition.--Dr. Petermann’s plan of the 30th of
October, 1868.--Dr. Petermann consents to the building of
the Germania from the remaining funds of the Expedition of
1868.--His programme of the 8th of March, 1869.--Exploration
of the Central Arctic region with the east coast of
Greenland as a basis.--Captain Koldewey’s circuit through
the provinces.--Statement of the project.--Forming of
committees in different German towns for the support of the
undertaking.--Assistance of the Newspaper Press.--Formation
of the Bremen Committee.--Opposition to the choice of
the yacht Greenland as the second ship.--The Hamburg
Committee.--Further action.--Definitive resolutions.--Appeal
of the 10th of May.--The commander and the scientific
staff of the expedition.--The steamer Germania.--Fitting
the Hansa for the Arctic voyage.--Outfit.--Scientific
instruments.--Captain Koldewey’s audience in Bremen previous
to departure.--Instructions for the Second German Arctic
Expedition.--Activity of the Bremen Committee in raising funds
to cover the cost of the expedition.

On the 24th of October, 1868, a number of gentlemen were assembled at Bremen, to celebrate the happy return of the members of the First German Arctic Expedition, including their commander Captain Karl Koldewey, and its scientific originator, Dr. A. Petermann. It was on this occasion that expression was first given to the idea of another expedition to this inhospitable region. Preliminary conferences took place between Dr. Petermann, Captain Koldewey, Dr. Breusing, and Messrs. Meier and Rosenthal, the result of which was that the despatch of a new expedition became only a question of ways and means. The “Rough sketch of a plan for the German Arctic Expedition of 1869,” with maps, from Dr. Petermann, was not long wanting. According to his suggestion, the expedition was to consist of two parts, so as to endeavour to solve two problems at the same time. A steamer was to land on East Greenland, and taking it as the basis of the winter operations, should try to penetrate into the heart of the Polar region; a second steamer should, at any point between Greenland and Nova Zembla, strive to reach the highest latitude possible. For the carrying out of this plan two steamers were considered necessary. But the preparations soon reached a critical point. It was with but small results for his trouble that Koldewey, whose enthusiasm and self-sacrifice in the cause became daily more apparent, strove to keep up the interest in it by repeated consultations in influential quarters. Dr. Petermann then decided that, in order to render the carrying out of the exploration practicable that year, he would, with the money still in hand from the first expedition, commission the building of a steamer, the dimensions of which should both meet the requirements of an Arctic voyage, and keep within the compass of their straitened means. It became necessary for the promoters to drop one part of Dr. Petermann’s original plan, and confine themselves either to exploring the Central Arctic region, with the coast of Greenland for a basis, or to advancing towards the North Pole by the open sea between Nova Zembla and Spitzbergen. Captain Koldewey declared for the former course, and also for retaining the programme of the Expedition of 1868; taking this view of the case, viz., that it must be a condition _sine qua non_ to make the coast, in which case they would have a far greater prospect, even under the most difficult and adverse circumstances, of making discoveries and scientific investigations, than by advancing on the high sea towards the Pole.

Dr. Petermann acknowledged the force of this argument, and agreed that East Greenland must be the point to keep in sight.

A communication dated from Gotha, 8th March, 1869, brought these proceedings to the knowledge of the friends of the undertaking. The plan was now nearly as follows: “That the expedition should consist of a newly-built screw steamer and of the sailing-yacht ‘Greenland,’ a ship of the pioneer journey of 1868; that the end and aim of the same should be discovery and exploration in the Central Arctic region, from 74° N.L. upwards, the East Greenland coast being the basis. The ‘Greenland,’ acting as consort and transport-ship, should return in the autumn of the same year; but the return of the chief ship should not take place until late in the autumn of 1870, after their intended wintering. That the aim of the expedition should be scientific, as well as nautical; the latter department being under the command of Captain Karl Koldewey, who the year before had proved himself so able in every respect, and whose character for courage, perseverance, and self-sacrifice in the cause, called for unhesitating confidence.” The scientific staff had already been partly chosen. To awaken interest in this new undertaking, no trouble was thought too great either by Dr. Petermann or Captain Koldewey, the latter undertaking circuits through Germany and delivering lectures in several places, which were sometimes followed by profitable results, and sometimes gave expectation of the same. At the same time he circulated a confident, independent, and well drawn up pamphlet, giving the nautical view of the question, in one respect differing slightly from Dr. Petermann’s original plan, namely, that if the coast of East Greenland was not reached until the middle of August, then the eastern coast of Spitzbergen and Gillisland should be the object of investigation. These explanations found their way into the daily press, exciting great interest. Dr. Petermann, though not quite agreeing with Koldewey’s proceedings, acted with great zeal in trying to bring the undertaking to a successful issue. At his suggestion Dr. Bastian in Berlin, and Professor Arendts in Munich, formed committees for receiving subscriptions. The Berlin Committee was chosen from members of the Berlin Geographical Society, amongst whom were renowned representatives of science, who published on the 3rd of April an energetic appeal for subscriptions. In this appeal attention was particularly drawn to the scientific and great national importance of the undertaking. Berlin, as the metropolis of the North German Confederation, the centre of her national efforts, was called upon, now that an important object for knowledge and action offered itself, to issue the first appeal. The sum still wanting was certain to be soon made up; and if Berlin with cheerful self-sacrifice once led the way, other towns would not be left behind. The appeal to the inhabitants of Munich (dated May) was issued by the Geographical Society, and signed by Professor Dr. Jolly as director, and Professor Dr. Arendts as secretary. Accordingly, collections were set on foot throughout the whole of Bavaria. In Bremen, where the preparations for the undertaking were to be carried out, and where it would probably find its best support, people were very favourable to the project. In a succession of communications in the daily press, and the _Weser-Zeitung_ particularly, in an explanatory light article of the 4th of April, the national, nautical, and scientific importance of the undertaking were dwelt upon. Essays of the same kind soon appeared in the other different German papers. We must not forget to mention here, that the first favourable notice of the expedition came from the Marine Society _Concordia_, at Elsfleth. The chief towns throughout the whole of the North-Sea and Baltic coasts, beginning at Bremen, were actively interested in the cause. Before the formation of the committee at Bremen, Mr. G. Albrecht was induced by the Consul, H. H. Meier, with Dr. Petermann’s concurrence, to undertake the management of the accounts. When Consul Meier afterwards withdrew, Mr. A. G. Mosle undertook the presidency, offered to him by Mr. G. Albrecht and M. Lindeman, in order that a committee might be organized. With this view the first meeting took place on the 9th of April in the house of Messrs. Schütting. It was composed of Captain Koldewey, Mosle, Albrecht, C. H. Noltenius, director of the pilot-school in Bremen, Dr. A. Breusing, D. H. Wätjen, jun., Ship-builder F. Tecklenborg, sen., the Recorder of the Commercial Board H. A. Schumacher, Captain Gutkese from Bremerhaven, and M. Lindeman, reporter. Captain Karl Koldewey laid the plan of the undertaking before them, and the choice of the steamer as expedition-ship and the “Greenland” as transport-ship. Director Breusing declared that to enable them to accomplish any great result, two steamers with outfits for three or four years would be necessary. Some gentlemen were of opinion that, if possible, a larger ship should be chosen in the place of the small confined sailing-yacht “Greenland,” which might be richly stored with coals and provisions, so as to put them in a position to pass more than one winter, if necessary, and thus, if possible, carry their investigation further northward. In the next sitting they agreed that Dr. Petermann and Captain Koldewey being really the originators of the undertaking, it devolved upon the committee to support the efforts of these gentlemen to the utmost of their power. The meeting styled themselves “The Bremen Committee for the Second North Arctic Expedition,” and chose A. G. Mosle as president, G. Albrecht as treasurer, and M. Lindeman as secretary. The committee, to which Messrs. R. Fritze, W. Nielsen, and Captain Ludwig Geerken were added, published on the 17th of April an appeal to their fellow-townsmen for subscriptions, which, among other things, contained the following:--“The scientific and maritime importance of the undertaking is everywhere admitted, and everywhere the highest interest evinced in it. Bremen will not be behind in promoting this national work. It rests for German inquiry to open up new domains, in order to show that German sailors are as qualified, as bold, and as persevering as those of other nations.”

The discussion with Dr. Petermann as to whether a larger transport-ship should be chosen or not, led to no satisfactory conclusion. For practical as well as financial reasons he decided in the negative. But on the other side were voices of weight and influence in nautical circles of the North Sea and Baltic coasts, and which must be heard. People thought it right to raise serious objections to the insufficient size of the ship. These, with very great exaggeration, found expression in the daily press, so much so that Captain Koldewey was obliged to interfere by letter to the newspapers. In Hamburg one of the prime movers in the undertaking, the director of the North German Marine Observatory, W. v. Freeden, had resolved to form a committee. A number of representatives of respectable firms, the directors of the Marine and Astronomical Observatories, formed themselves into the “Hamburg Committee for the Northern Expedition of 1869.” On the 23rd of April an appeal followed, in which it was represented that Hamburg had always shown a lively interest in all national questions, and with regard to this undertaking felt it incumbent upon it, remembering its antecedents, to guard its position as the leading seaport of Germany. The Hamburg Committee also declared, in a sitting at which Dr. Petermann and Captain Koldewey were present, for Dr. Petermann’s published plan of the 8th of March. By degrees the interest of the nation and the whole of the country began to warm more and more. New committees were formed in Oldenburg, Emden, and Leer, in Rheinhessen (Worms and Oppenheim), at Karlsruhe, Lübeck, Königsberg, and Rostock. The committee of Bremen, in a letter of the 2nd of May addressed to the Berlin Committee, thus defined its position with regard to the carrying out of the expedition:--“After a lengthy conference between the seafaring men belonging to our committee, and the whale fishermen of the Weser-fleet, and others of the profession, we have decided that our direct influence must be directed and confined to the way and manner of carrying out the following points:--To keep in view that the ships shall be as good as possible, and to carefully see to the supply of provisions and coal. Every other nautical question coming under our consideration we have laid, and will continue to lay before the commander of the expedition, and thoroughly enter into it with him, still, however, not considering it our business to interfere.” A larger ship than the “Greenland” having been proposed, and this proposal approved of by Captain Koldewey, as well as by Captain Hegemann, who, being familiar with the Arctic waters, was to take the command of the second ship, it was agreed to. Amongst other reasons advanced for this was, that besides the thirty tons of coal required for heating in winter, the Germania could at the utmost only carry forty tons for feeding the engines. On this head alone the choice of a larger ship was desirable--namely, that the expedition was to be supplied with provisions for a longer time than was originally intended. The pending question as to procuring a larger ship instead of the “Greenland” was solved at a sitting of the Bremen Committee on the 8th of May, at which Dr. Petermann, Director W. v. Freeden from Hamburg, and three other scientific men interested in the expedition, were present--viz., that a number of Bremen merchants should be security for the purchase-money for a larger companion vessel to the amount of £1500. Dr. Petermann now declared decidedly for choosing a larger ship instead of the “Greenland,” and that a sailing ship, on the ground that a suitable steamer was not easily procurable, and that two scientific men should be attached to the ship. The following resolution was drawn up by Dr. Petermann and signed by all present at the meeting:--

“On the 7th of next month, the Second German Arctic Expedition,
under Captain Karl Koldewey, shall put to sea. This is the
unanimous resolution of the friends of the undertaking,
assembled from far and near, for the final settlement of the
plan, at Bremen, on the 8th of May.

“It is our unanimous endeavour to render every part of the
equipment as perfect as possible. After strict trial and
inspection, the steamer Germania, the newly-built chief ship
of the expedition, fulfils every expectation, as well as the
sailors who conduct it and the men of science who accompany it.
The steamer, like the convoy which accompanies her, will be
equipped for two years.

“The Germania’s size is expressly adapted for ice-navigation;
the accompanying ship, the Hansa, of nearly the same size,
will also be expressly adapted for the same purpose, and will
be under the command of Captain Fr. Hegemann, of Oldenburg. If
possible, the two ships will remain with each other, both on the
outward journey, through the winter, and also on the return.
Regard to the greatest possible security of the expedition has
led to this extension of the plan.

“The plan of the originator of the undertaking, Dr. Petermann,
of Gotha, which makes the eastern coast of Greenland the basis
for advancing into the centre of the Arctic region, is to remain
the first aim of this expedition.

“The Bremen Committee have become security for the necessary
means (£1500) for providing the second ship. We hope that in
other parts of Germany the friends of the undertaking will show
the same determination, as the enlarged plan requires greater
means.

“The naval and scientific importance of the expedition is
everywhere acknowledged; the means for speedily and fully
carrying it out, the interests of the German navy and of German
science demand.

“Bremen, 10th of May, 1869.

“Dr. A. Petermann, A. G. Mosle,
Capt. K. Koldewey, G. Albrecht,
Capt. Fr. Hegemann, C. H. Noltenius,
W. v. Freeden, Richard Fritze,
Dr. Börgen, D. H. Wätjen,
Dr. Copeland, W. Nielsen,
Dr. Med. Pansch, Capt. L. Geerken,
M. Lindeman, Capt. W. Gutkese,
H. H. Meier, Synd. Dr. Schumacher.”

Thus a firm foundation was laid for the whole undertaking, and the Bremen Committee could undisturbed make the numberless preparations and give all their attention and trouble to raising the money--a care which fell exclusively upon it, and was by no means small. Dr. Petermann had acted in the same way for the Expedition of 1868. The committee issued some thousands of circulars to raise money to meet the expense, which was now estimated at £10,500.

_Captain of the Germania_.]

The scientific staff for the Germania were, partly on Captain Koldewey’s proposal, chosen and appointed by Dr. Petermann.

The commander of the whole expedition was Captain Koldewey, of Bucken, near Hoya, in the province of Hanover. He was in the thirty-second year of his age. Brought up in the Pilot School at Bremen, he had been a sailor sixteen years, that is from 1853. Giving up his practical business for a time, Koldewey, in order to improve himself, attended the Polytechnic School in Hanover, and in the winter of 1867 and 1868 the University of Göttingen, where he studied physics and astronomy, which after his return from the first Arctic expedition, as far as the completion of his Report of it would allow, he took up again.

The scientific members of the expedition, to ship in the Germania were the following:--

1st. Dr. Karl N. J. Börgen, born in Schleswig on the 1st of October, 1843. He attended the cathedral school in that place; was drafted in 1863 to the University of Copenhagen, in 1864 to the University of Kiel, and in 1865 to that of Göttingen. In 1866, he was assistant in the observatory of that place; served as a volunteer in the army of the North German Alliance from January 15th, 1867, to 1868. Obtaining leave of absence for two years, he received on that occasion from the Prussian Ministry of Public Instruction a subsidy of £75.

2nd. Dr. R. Copeland, born the 3rd of September, 1837, at Woodplumpton in Lancashire, England. Acquired a scientific education in his own country, travelled in foreign countries, and in 1865–67 studied astronomy in Göttingen. Since 1867 he had worked as voluntary assistant in the observatory of that place. In the spring of 1869 Dr. Börgen and himself published jointly a large astronomical work, together with “The History of Arctic Winterings.” In the present expedition they had undertaken both astronomical and physical science as well as geodesy.

3rd. Julius Payer, first lieutenant of infantry in the Imperial Austrian army, twenty-seven years, old, was born at Teplitz, in Bohemia, where his father was captain of a regiment of lancers. His education and training he received in the Neustadt Military Academy, from which he received his commission as an officer in the army in 1859, followed by a garrison life in Mainz, Frankfort, Verona, Venice, and Jägerndorf. In Verona, excited by the neighbourhood of the Alps, Payer began his studies. There appeared in Justus Perthes’ _Geographische Mittheilungen_ several scientific papers from his pen on the Gross-Glockner, the Adamell group, and the Ortler Alps. Of his other works, a treatise on the Bocca di Brenta is deserving of mention. In 1866 Payer took part in the Italian war, and received the cross of merit at Custozza; in 1868 he was recalled by the Minister of War and was commissioned to the survey of the inhospitable region of the mountainous district of Austria. The request for leave to accompany the Arctic expedition was granted most graciously by the Minister of War, together with a supply of fire-arms, a considerable store of gunpowder, and various scientific instruments. Payer joined the expedition with the prestige of his previous reputation for activity in the cause of science.

4th. Adolphus Pansch, M.D., surgeon to the Germania, to whom were assigned the departments of zoology, botany, ethnology, and anthropology, was twenty-eight years old, and studied medicine and physical science in Berlin, 1860; in 1861, at Heidelberg, physiology and geology; travelled through Switzerland, attended the clinical lectures in Berlin and Halle; and later on passed the prescribed examination in Oldenburg as a practical physician, and was made demonstrator of anatomy in July, 1865. In 1866 he acted as private tutor at the University of Kiel. Pansch had written several scientific treatises, from amongst which we should specify, from its practical bearings and its extensive research, a pamphlet upon the “Flora of the Seas.” Dr. Pansch received permission from the government to join the expedition.

The scientific men on board the Hansa were the two following:--

1st. Dr. Buchholz, M.D., and surgeon to the Hansa, represented the departments of zoology, ethnology, and anthropology. Whilst serving as tutor at the University of Greifswald, he received leave to join the expedition, with a grant from the Minister of Public Instruction and the University of £75 for his outfit. Dr. Buchholz was born at Frankfort-on-the-Oder in 1837, studied in Königsberg and Berlin, and in the Bohemian campaign of 1866 was assistant-surgeon in a hospital of the Prussian army.

2nd. Dr. Gustavus Laube, Vienna, professor of zoology and lecturer to the University and Polytechnic School in Vienna, thirty years old, was born in Teplitz, and studied in Prague, Munich, and Tübingen. He was afterwards assistant to Professor Hochstetter, in Vienna, who recommended him warmly for the expedition.

The Germania, the chief ship of the expedition, was laid on the slips for building on the 10th of March, 1869, by Joh. C. Tecklenborg, of Bremerhaven, and was launched on the 16th of April. On the 9th of May, Captain Koldewey and Dr. Petermann went on board, accompanied by various members of the Bremen Committee, the director of the North German Marine Observatory, W. v. Freeden, and other friends (amongst whom were several experienced seamen). The ship was thoroughly inspected in all parts. W. v. Freeden’s report of this inspection, will form the best description of the ship. He says, that upon measuring the Germania she was ninety feet long, twenty-two and a half broad, eleven feet deep, and 143 tons burden: this size, a few years ago, was considered the highest standard for the best West Indian fruit or Brazilian coffee schooners. Of course the steamer was built stronger than required for such purposes as the above; and the ordinary planking was coated with a hand-thick sheathing, thus protecting the stem, and in a ship of 600 tons undiscernible below the water-line. Over this iron sheathing, which is bolted and riveted, not simply nailed on, is fastened a layer of sheet-iron. Thus double provision was made in order that the ice fretting at the ship’s sides should not force the oakum out of the seams, so causing a leakage. Over the iron sheathing, by the bow, heavy iron rods were laid crossways, close together. Notwithstanding this armour, the ship’s lines were pleasing to the eye, and, on account of her sharp build, she proved an excellent sailer.

_Page 14._

THE GERMANIA.]

In the interior also, the strength of her build was striking, even to landsmen. Such strong beams ’tween decks are seldom seen in vessels of 400 tons. They are only to be found in large barques and full-rigged ships. The knees were alternately of wood and iron; vertical supports above and below the middle deck protected it, together with bands of the strongest iron clamps, from any side pressure of masses of ice against the ship’s sides, so that neither keel or deck could be displaced. The sharp build of the ship would rather have the effect of raising her on to the ice, than of allowing her to be nipped by it.

The compact machinery was mounted, and the axis tested in position; the double-flanged screw could be lifted in and out without trouble. A reserve screw was also taken. As the ship was to be completely fitted with sails, the machinery was only to be used amongst the ice, or when she was obliged to beat against the wind.

The masts furnished were of that sort that no pressure on the sails nor heavy shock could dismast her. A topsail on the foremast rendered veering and backing easy, and her depth in the water was from nine to ten feet. As the ship’s course would lie along the eastern coast of Greenland, between the land and the not far distant ice-pack, a deeper draught would have been dangerous; neither could she have been much larger, for a larger vessel must have been flat-bottomed, to prevent her drawing too much water. This was satisfactorily proved on the voyage. Flat-bottomed vessels are very dangerous amongst the ice. Certainly the ship would have turned more easily, if she had been two feet broader; but her capability of threading the narrow channels between the ice would have been weakened in corresponding degree.

Including the machinery and ship’s fittings, the Germania cost the round sum of £3150.

The second ship, the purchase-money of which, as we have already remarked, had been previously guaranteed by some merchants belonging to the Bremen Committee, was the Prussian schooner Fulton, built on the Weser in 1864, of 76¾ tons burden. She received the name of the “Hansa,” and was laid on the slips by F. W. Wenke and Co. (Rosenthal).

A difficult and important part of the preparations was the victualling the ships. The only precedents of use were supplied by the experience of those who had been engaged in the Greenland trade from the Weser. Certainly the eastward journey of the “Greenland,” in 1868, constituted somewhat of a guide. But never yet had a German ship sailed from the German coast with the intention of passing a winter in Arctic latitudes. On that account the experience of Englishmen, Americans, and Russians was carefully considered in the outfitting. Above all, attention was particularly paid to completeness and plentiful supply, as well as to the good quality of every article. The honourable character of the contractors, the eagerness shown on their side to further a national undertaking, and their wish on this occasion to keep up their reputation, stood the undertaking in good stead. On their departure, the members of the expedition particularly thanked them for the consideration they had shown to all their wishes with regard to the stores, and expressed their satisfaction with everything. Parsimony could not for a moment be considered at such a time; it would have been misplaced, inhuman, and destructive of the very aim of the expedition, had any niggardliness been shown. A complete outfit for both ships for two whole years was above all things a necessity, and indeed a point of honour.

_Page 16._

THE “HANSA.”]

The contract for the victualling of the Germania was given to D. Cordes and Co., of Bremen, and that for the Hansa to H. Richers of Hamburg. Neither ship carried much dried or salted meat, but a great quantity of preserved meats in tins; also a good supply of drinks, which are so necessary on an Arctic voyage, besides many presents of wine; and lastly, a corresponding quantity of clothing for all who were taking part in the expedition. Both ships had a similar allowance of everything needful; and the Berlin Committee were of very great assistance in providing scientific apparatus and instruments, some of the most important of which were kindly lent by various persons and institutions.

On the 28th of May, Captain Koldewey had an audience of his Majesty King William at Babelsberg. His Majesty allowed Captain Koldewey to explain his plan by aid of a map. He expressed his satisfaction that a man had been found willing to carry out the undertaking, and fixed his visit to the vessels for his future intended journey to Bremen.

The time of starting was settled for the middle of June; and from March to that time every exertion was brought to bear upon the work that all might be complete. The equipment in every respect was accomplished in good time; and when all was ready for departure, a joint committee was called together to consider, at the last moment, what had been accomplished, and what remained to be decided on, in the case of certain eventualities. The scientific men were first greeted with the warmest thanks for their courageous resolution, and the hope expressed that it would be followed by rich results. It was then decided by the committee that the expedition should sail from Bremerhaven on the 15th of June at noon. A telegram addressed to Captain Koldewey confirmed the interest which King William had already shown in the undertaking, stating that on the 15th he would be in Bremerhaven and Geestemünde. All was then to be prepared for the king’s visit and for immediate departure. An elaborate form was drawn up by Dr. Petermann on the 7th of June under the title of “Instructions for the Second German Arctic Expedition of 1869–70.” On all the chief points both captains and scientific men were agreed, though some seemed to require earnest consideration; but there was now no time for further discussions. However, they agreed to make some unimportant alterations regarding the official reports of the expedition, and the ownership of the notes made by the scientific members during the voyage, as well as regarding the form and address of any communications to be sent home. They were all to be sent to Dr. Petermann. On the return of the expedition a preliminary report was to be drawn up, and the whole given up to a commission composed of the captains and scientific men belonging to the expedition, and the supporters and leaders of the undertaking, as well as scientific authorities. Dr. Petermann informed them of his agreement to these alterations by telegraph.

The most important part of the proceedings of the joint committee lay in the last consultation, namely, how and when tidings of the men belonging to the expedition were to be gained in case their return should be too long delayed, and they should require assistance, or if their death should take place on the ice-fields of Greenland. It was resolved:--

“That the expedition should, on the coast or islands, as nearly as possible under each degree of latitude or longitude, build up a heap of stones, or some other erection; that the burying of documents detailing the events and condition of the undertaking should not be within this sign, but at a distance of twenty metres due north of it (_not magnetic_). And if from the nature of the ground no such distance could be taken, the documents were still to be deposited to the northward. The monuments were, if possible, to be erected on a declivity; and as the Esquimaux greatly venerate all graves, so, in case of death, tidings of the expedition were to be placed under the body.” At the same spot also all notices of the German Arctic voyage were to be sought if they themselves were unable to give information. This decision was telegraphed to Dr. Petermann, who returned his assent.

Then followed a solemn oath taken by all those belonging to the expedition; the two captains, as well as the scientific men, promising that both by word and deed, and under all circumstances, they would strive with all their might to reach the goal set before them.

The instructions contained thirty-one paragraphs; in Sects. 1 and 2 the aim and object of the expedition was declared to be the discovery and scientific investigation of the Central Arctic region from 75° N.L. and upwards, taking the eastern coast of Greenland as a basis. This object included two tasks: 1st, the solving of the so-called Arctic question; 2nd, the discovery, surveying, and investigation of East Greenland; thence northwards towards Behring’s Straits, including all intermediate countries, islands, and stretch of sea; the measuring of degrees in East Greenland, and ascents of the glaciers in the interior, &c., &c.

In the third, the “Arctic question,” with special regard to the late Swedish, Russian, and English voyages of discovery, was discussed. For the better investigation of the Polar Sea, and for reaching the North Pole itself, the following of the coast-line was strictly enjoined, as experience had shown that land is the soonest free from ice, and that along the coast is formed the so-called land water; the navigation too has a chance of commencing earlier, is comparatively safe, and promises the largest results, as really important scientific discoveries can scarcely be expected without the solid basis of land.

The Second German Arctic Expedition would therefore make East Greenland their basis of operations. Even under the greatest difficulties, the results from an investigation of East Greenland, and an extended knowledge of that still unknown coast, might be expected to mark an epoch in the history of science.

Sect. 6 ordered that both ships under the command of Captain Karl Koldewey should make direct for the floating ice of East Greenland in about 74½° N.L., and as soon as possible reach Sabine Island, lying on the east coast in that latitude, and then deliberate on the accessibility of the coast from 70° to 79°.

Sects. 7 and 8 decided as follows: if in 74½° N.L. immediate access to the coast was not possible on account of the ice and the state of the weather, and there was no prospect of being able to reach it in a short time, the attempt must be made farther northward as far as 80°; if still unsuccessful, to go as low down as 70°, and take advantage of any opening lying between 70° and 80° N.L. If the coast of East Greenland in 74½° is reached, or any other point between 70° and 80° N.L., and it is found (as in the course of things might be expected) that there is open water, so, without more delay than is necessary for observing and surveying the newly-discovered land about 75° 14 N.L., to press forward to the north, and to go as far along the coast as circumstances will allow.

Sect. 9 pointed out as the chief task of the expedition, the geographical one of penetrating into the still unknown heart of the Arctic regions, and stated that every other consideration was to give place to the solution of this question.

Sects. 10 and 11 enlarged upon the scientific work, and the different course to be taken by the expedition in case they should find open sea in the region of the Polar circle.

By Sect. 12, they were enjoined to winter at the most northerly point they could reach--if possible at the North Pole itself, but in any case it was hoped in not less than 80° of lat. Of the remaining instructions, we must draw attention to the Sects. 15, 16, 22, 24, 27, and 28. The two first-mentioned decided as follows:--The return of the expedition was to be managed so that both vessels should, at the latest, arrive at Bremerhaven together about the 1st of November, 1870. If the Hansa should be unable to keep up with the steamer Germania, either on account of the ice or want of fair wind, the steamer should without any delay proceed on her course, leaving the Hansa to follow as soon as possible. In case of separation, the point each ship was to make for was 74½° N.L. outside the floating ice, though along the coast. By this Sabine Island was meant.

Sect. 22 consisted of the special instructions drawn up by various German _savans_, and communicated through Dr. Petermann.

In Sect. 24 particular reference was made to the importance of the ascent of glaciers, to be undertaken by Lieut. Payer.

Sects. 27 and 28 contained further orders concerning the naming of the newly-discovered lands, which for the most part was to be left until the completion of the general map at home; also regarding the value and the use to be made of the collections brought home, and the apportionment of the work resulting therefrom. All these provisions could only be seriously considered on the return of the expedition, and would then serve as rules for the guidance of the Bremen Committee. With this the complicated preparations were ended, and the day of departure drew near.

The Bremen Committee might now look upon that part of their task which related to the support of these preparations as finished. Another part which, as has been already remarked, devolved entirely upon them, was that of raising the considerable amount still required to defray the cost of the undertaking. At the time of starting, not half the cost of the expedition had been raised, and the Bremen Committee were, in this task, busily occupied for more than a year. Invitations for subscriptions were published and sent to private individuals as well as to corporations, to the representatives of Germany in foreign countries, and also to the magistrates of many German towns.[1] An account of the position of the undertaking was spread over the whole of Germany by thousands of circulars, and even among the Germans in foreign towns and in Transatlantic lands; the summons being a printed communication entitled,--“The Despatch of the Second German Arctic Expedition.” And, lastly, by the generous coming forward of an eminent German publisher, Mr. George Westermann, in Brunswick, the entire public was provided with a pamphlet containing some excellent wood engravings drawn to scale, entitled, “The Second German Arctic Expedition: Official Communication of the Bremen Committee,” in which more distinct information was given as to the aim, means, and importance of the undertaking. This agitation, which kept alive the interest in it, was followed by the best results. Donations[2] poured in from all sides from Germans in foreign lands, even from Honolulu and Tahiti, South America, the East Indies, and China.

The debts incurred by the expedition were paid off, and even after its return new and pressing expenses were met. The Bremen Committee were also freed from the insurance money of the Hansa, and some of Captain Koldewey’s men had extra wages given to them.

Whether and to what extent the Second German Arctic Expedition fulfilled the promised expectations, what and how much it was allowed to perform and to attain, with a full and true report of the same, is the task and aim of the work now before us.