THE ENGLISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITIONS: in search of a South Magnetic Pole, further exploration of Antarctica and the Antarctic Circle.
From Alexander Gleason’s ‘Is the Bible from Heaven? Is the Earth a globe?’ Page 326, which you can read here:
https://archive.org/details/alex-gleason-is-the-bible-from-heaven/mode/1up
‘The English Antarctic expeditions were undertaken from 1839 to 1843, mainly with a view to magnetic observations and the determination of the position of the South Magnetic Pole. Two old bomb vessels, the Erebus and Terror, were fitted out under the command of Captain (afterwards Sir James) Ross, with Captain Crosier in the Terror. The cruise for the second season was commenced from Tasmania and on New Year's day, 1841, the Antarctic Circle was crossed in about 172° E. A few days afterwards the two vessels were beset in the pack ice and began persevering and boring through it. By January 10th they succeeded, and were clear of ice in 70° 23'S., and next day land was sighted, rising in lofty peaks and covered with perennial snow.
‘‘Inconceivable myriads of penguins covered the surface, but no vegetation was seen. Next morning there was a southerly gale which moderated, and on the 18th of January they were again sailing south in an unexplored sea. No mention is anywhere made of extreme long days to correspond with co-equal latitudes of the north, as there necessarily should be were the earth a globe.
Along the coast as far as the eye could reach to the eastward, there was a perpendicular cliff of ice from 150 to 200 feet high, perfectly level at the top, and without any fissures or promontories on its seaward face. Nothing could be seen above it except the summits of a lofty range of mountains extending southward as far as 79° S. To this range the name of Parry was given. Captain Ross then sailed along the marvelous wall of ice eastward in 77° 47’ S. as far as 78° S. This barrier was estimated to be 1,000 feet thick, and it was followed for 450 miles without a break.
A N T A R C T I C E X P L O R A T I O N
The Challenger did not openly admit that it had searched for the South Pole in vain. Oh, no; but it sailed three times around the world, or upwards of 60,000 miles without being able to say that it had been fortunate enough to ascertain the existence of any such wonderful locality. Of course, it may have gone on searching as long as its timbers or platings held together, and the same disappointment must have attended its efforts. Right-here a thought or two may be suggestive to the reader: Were the earth a globe or spheroid, inside of the Anarctic Circle the degrees of longitude could not exceed thirty miles to the degree, but if we allow them thirty miles for adversities of winds, currents, ice, etc., and multiply 360° x 60 we have 21,600 in order to make a circuit of 10,800 (claimed by all-globularists.) Yet, we can afford to be more liberal; we will call the multiplicator 120, and the product in miles will only reach 43,200; a little over two-thrids of their nautical record as above, and most of this inside the Antarctic Circle. But after a circuitous cruise like the above record, and a fruitless expenditure of over a million of dollars, it seems quite natural for them to feel somewhat crest-fallen, in regard to their previous importunateness with the government; although the record does not state that they were in search of a south pole, but a “magnetic pole!” Yes, and where did they expect to find it, if they found any such thing? And what did they expect to
call it when found?
The ice barriers which constitute the earth’s circumference, extend for some 30,000 or 32,000 miles, but present no opening large enough for the passage of a seal or walrus. No alternation of long days, as in the Arctic region but the months of May, June and July are enshrouded in one long dreary night, the snow never thaws, and the crash of the falling icebergs appalls the stoutest hearts. Therefore, unless any expeditions to these regions is conducted with peculiar caution and intelligence, it would very shortly end in discomfiture and dismay to all concerned. No possible result can follow than loss and discredit to the promoters and cruel suffering to the parties engaged.’
I had fun making this one, I hope you find it enjoyable. The beautiful first-hand paintings and artwork alone are worth sharing.
Many more to come, the big ancient mysteries one is coming soon, but it’s taking a bit so I thought this might help tide you over.
Thank you for watching.
God bless you.
