SCIENCE LECTURES FOR THE PEOPLE. SCIENCE LECTURES DELIVERED IN MANCHESTER. 1875-76. SEVENTH AND EIGHTH SERIES. JOHN HEYWOOD, EXCELSIOR BUILDINGS, RIDGEFIELD, MANCHESTER; 1880. ARCTIC DISCOVERIES. WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PRESENT EXPEDITION. A LECTURE delivered in the Hulme Town Hall, Manchester, on Tuesday, October 26th, 1875. By CAPTAIN J. E. DAVIS, R.N., F.R.G.S. O attempt to give an outline of Arctic exploration generally, within the limit of time assigned to me, is out of the question. I therefore propose to confine myself to a very brief sketch of those voyages that have been directed to the attempt to reach the Pole itself, prefacing the sketch of those voyages by equally brief remarks on the different routes. [Captain Davis here explained the numerous charts, maps, &c., with which his lecture was illustrated.] The extent of our knowledge of those vast regions lying between Greenland and Behring Strait, about half a century ago, viz., in 1818, was confined to the sea coast at the entrance of the Coppermine and Mackenzie rivers, and the coast-line from Behring Strait to Icy Cape. All the coast between those distant points, and nearly all the land north of it, is due to the discoveries of Englishmen since that date. Surely we may be justly proud of these peaceful honours won by our countrymen. It is still a moot question as to whom the discovery of the NorthWest Passage is due, whether to Franklin or M'Clure. I am disposed so to divide the honour as to give the priority of discovery to Sir John Franklin, whilst to Sir Robert M'Clure is undoubtedly due the honour of being the first who ever entered Behring Strait and came out by Davis Strait, although a part of that distance, connecting his discoveries with those of Parry, was not accomplished by ship or boat, but by travelling over the ice. There are four routes by which an approach to the Pole may be considered feasible. (1.) By Behring Strait. This route I shall at once dismiss, as being the least feasible of the four, and one, which although often proposed, has never been attempted. |