Chapter XXXIV: Conclusion

Let us now sum up the results of the second German Arctic Expedition, in reference to the light thrown upon the Arctic question by the voyage of the Germania and Hansa:--

1. Uninterrupted, open coast-water, along the coast of East Greenland has been proved not to exist; it has been shown that the coast-water is dependent upon local circumstances, and that the ice-current brings down its masses, even when the ice is at its loosest, to every projecting point of the coast.

2. East Greenland has been proved not to form a suitable basis for reaching the North Pole, even setting aside the possibility of reaching a higher latitude by ship along the coast, in favourable years.

3. On the other hand, by inquiries into the geology, natural history, and climate of the country itself, and by the investigation of the large Fjords and their extent north and south, a new basis for promoting further Arctic discoveries has been created, promising rich results which may eventually materially assist in solving the Arctic problem; more so than any advance on the high sea could have done.

4. No important advance into the ice, nor any considerable scientific result essentially belonging to the land is to be reckoned upon without the firm support of the coast; and without wintering and erecting stations for observation, no thorough investigation of the Arctic regions is possible. This last point is further confirmed by the results of the latest Arctic Expedition, the leading features of which are as follows:--

Even whilst we were in Greenland, Kara Straits, between Nova Zembla and Continental Russia, which is so often impassable from the ice, was traversed by Norwegian fishermen; indeed, in the year 1870, the whole of Nova Zembla was sailed round, and the sea both to the north and east of the island found to be perfectly navigable. This circumstance, in connexion with the observed proportionately high surface temperature of the sea, suggested the belief that the easiest way of advancing to the north, or even of reaching the Pole itself, might be through Barents’ Sea. As is already known, Lieutenant Weyprecht and First-Lieutenant Payer followed this course, and on the 1st of September, 1871, reached (in 78° 43′ N. Lat.) the meridian of 42° 30′ E., a point comparatively remote in this region, although not the first or only instance of the kind. The sea, too, as far as 59° E. Long., and in almost the same latitude, was quite free from ice.

The ice towards the north is declared to be lighter and looser, and the surface temperature of the sea more often between 39° and 41° Fahr. From these circumstances, combined with the steady motion of the Polar ice, caused by the large ice-current running along the coast of East Greenland, the conclusion was at once drawn by Lieutenant Weyprecht that this might probably be the best road to the North Pole, and that this open sea might be connected with the so-called Polynia of the Russians. At Vienna, on the 7th of December, 1871, in a statement made before the Imperial Academy of Science, Weyprecht explained his reasons more fully. Although these reasonings were not based upon altogether correct suppositions, it is true, as pointed out by Dove, that the distribution of the Polar ice does without doubt create variations in the state of the temperature in different years (and that irrespective of any particular spot in the Arctic territory). The zealous endeavours of Payer and Weyprecht, however, succeeded in calling into existence, in 1872, a still larger Austrian expedition.

Oddly enough, in spite of authentic accounts of the navigability of the Arctic Sea, as far as the highest latitude, the project of an Arctic expedition on the basis of the Barents’ Sea, was dropped, and the exploration of the Siberian coast and the unknown waters of the north of Siberia was undertaken. To me this seems to imply that in Austria, too, they could not quite trust to the existence of an open Arctic sea, as they evidently laid more stress upon the desirability of following the coast, and promised themselves richer scientific results than they could ever expect from advancing on the high sea.

The Austrian Expedition started in the summer of 1872; but, instead of finding an open and easily navigable sea, as in the previous year, there were masses of thick ice near Nova Zembla, so that in spite of steam power, up to the 18th of August they had advanced no further than Cape Nassau, though they hoped for more favourable opportunities about the beginning of September. At the same time, some Norwegian fishermen found the sea perfectly free from ice further westwards; the much-talked-of Wiche’s, or King Charles’s Land, or Weiche Land (whichever it is called), was even reached, and its extent decided within a fraction;[93] whilst again to the north of Spitzbergen so much ice was met with by the Swedish Expedition, that they could not even reach Parry Island, where they had intended wintering, so as to be ready in the early spring for the sledge journeys, by which they proposed to advance to the Pole. And, although this sea was generally free from ice as far as 81° N.L., the expedition was forced to pass the winter in Mossel Bay, and in the spring attempted vainly to reach a higher latitude by crossing the sea-ice with sledges. They did not get beyond Parry Island, as the state of the drift-ice (probably too uneven and lumpy) prevented them. All exploration had to be confined to Spitzbergen during the winter, as well as during the sledge-journeys, by which the land ice to the north-east of the country was crossed; adding a valuable amount of knowledge regarding the physical condition of Arctic countries.

The above implied variation in the position and extent of the Arctic ice was particularly proved in the year 1872, by the different voyages undertaken, and also by the Swedish Expedition; of the Austrian we have no further news. The advance on the high sea led to no other result than that of proving the changeableness of the ice-border, and to leisurely-made observations of temperature and soundings; which, however important and useful in themselves, without the knowledge of the extent of the surrounding country and coast and their climate, can only serve to assist in forming rough conjectures as to the physical condition of the Pole and its vicinity. Even by the reaching of King Charles’s Land by the Norwegians no new fact is established, except that, what some hundreds of years ago was looked upon as a continent, consists only of a few islands. No examination of the land itself was made, and nothing but an entire winter passed there will ever supply us with any important facts concerning it.

The American Expedition, a part of the crew of which were saved on an ice-floe, brings to light the most facts. Their vessel, the Polaris, reached the coast of Greenland through Smith Sound, penetrating to the highest Latitude ever yet attained by any ship, namely, 82° 16′. It was doubtless the most northerly point of Greenland. The supposition that Grinnell Land extends as far as 83° N. was confirmed, and the existence of musk-oxen and a rich Fauna up to 82° N. of Greenland was proved. At the same time Kane and Hayes’ illusion of an open Arctic Sea, which proved to be nothing but the entrance of a channel through which ran a strong current, was thoroughly dispelled.

This voyage of the Polaris, combined with the results obtained by the German Expedition, shows in a striking manner that the investigation of Greenland, as the country stretching nearest to the Pole--along the coast of which one can penetrate to the north on two different meridians--and where such an extensive field offers for scientific research, supplies by far the best field for investigating the geographical and physical condition of Arctic regions, and consequently the real solution of the Arctic question.

In a pamphlet issued by “The Royal Geographical Society” (p. 10), it is said:--“The unknown region covers a surface of more than a million of English square miles. It is impossible that one single expedition could ever undertake the investigation of the whole of this territory, and it is therefore necessary to choose that part which contains the three chief requirements: these are--1, the certainty of exploring a country up to this time unknown, and of some considerable extent; 2, the prospect of important discoveries in the different branches of science; 3, the best security for a safe return. These leading features can only be secured in a neighbourhood where there is a large extent of coast-line; for the most important discoveries are to be expected chiefly on land or near it.”

All this is as suitable for East Greenland, as for West Greenland, and there can be no reason why the discoveries in East Greenland under the German Flag should not be continued. It seems to me a matter of honour for the German nation, that the further investigation of the large Fjord discovered by us should not be left to other nations, but that it should garner into itself the seed sown with so much trouble.

An English Expedition to West Greenland through Smith Sound, and a German one to East Greenland starting at the same time would, with our present experience and means of assistance, certainly lead to the exploration of a considerable extent of the unknown Polar area, and bring home a rich result of scientific discoveries in all branches that could not be obtained in any other way.

May the present work contribute to reawaken interest in Arctic explorations, and give a spur to a new Expedition, by which the German Flag may have its due share in all scientific discoveries in the North Polar region. To take part in the achievement of this object, is my greatest desire.

HAMBURG, Oct. 1873.
KARL KOLDEWEY.

CHART
of the Northern Portion of
EAST-GREENLAND,
surveyed on the Sledge journey
from 24^{th} March to 27^{th} April 1870.

_Scale 1:1,700,000_

_Outward journey_
_Return_
_Encampments_
_astronomically determined Points_
_Soundings_

_The depths are given in English fathoms._

London, Sampson Low, Marston & C^o.

Lith. P. A. Brockhaus, Leipzig.]

VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES
of the second
GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION
in the years 1869 and 1870.

According to the original Surveys
designed and executed with the aid of older Charts
by
W. REINERT.]