Polar Explorations

The admiralty chart of the Arctic regions, contained in Part I. of this volume, records the names and dates of the various polar expeditions from 1818 to 1874. Since the latter date several exploring parties have sailed north, namely, the English Expedition of 1875, the Nordenskjold Expedition of 1875, the Jeanette Expedition of 1879, and the Greeley Expedition of 1881. Lieutenant Lockwood, U. S. A., second in command of the Greeley Expedition, sledged to the highest latitude ever reached by man--83 deg. 24 min. north. 396 miles from the pole; consequently, in this year, 1891, the United States is awarded the honor of first rank in polar explorations.