Paper:
New York TimesCity:
New York, NYDate:
Sunday, October 24, 1897Page: 5
DR. NANSEN IN NEW YORK
The Norwegian Explorer in Welcomed by His Countrymen Here and by Americans
HE TALKS ABOUT HIS PLANS
The Geographical Society Gives a Reception in His Honor at Chickering Hall and the Cullum Medal Is Presented Him.
Dr. Fridtjof Nanse, the Norwegian explorer, arrived in New York yesterday on the steamship Lucania, which was sighted off Fire Island at 1:40 P.M. at 4:30 PM the steamer Favorite, with the Nansen committee, composed of Scandinavians living in New York, went alongside and, amid cheers for the distinguished explorer, took him off and started with him back to the city.
From the moment he went aboard the reception boat untill it reached West Thirty-fifth Street, Dr. Nansen was subjected to continuous congradulations at the hands of his countrymen. Karl G. M, Woxen, Consul for Norway and Sweden, made a speech in Norwegian, welcoming the explorer to America, to which Dr. Nansen responded in the same tougue. Prof. Libbev of Princeton delived a brief welcoming address, and Dr. Nansen replied in English, which he spoke with apparent case. Then a choral society sang Norwegian patriotic songs.
The visitor was escorted to the Hotel Savoy, which will be his headquarters during his stay in New York.
HE TALKS ABOUT ANDREE
To the question, "Do you think Andree has been lost?" Dr. Nansen answered, "No, I don't think so. He may be lost, but there is no reason to assume so yet."
"Do you think Andree's plan of reaching the pole by balloon possible." he has asked.
"Yes, it is possible," was his answer.
Dr. Nansen was not impressed with Lieut. Preary's meteorite, about which so much has been said recently. "It is not a meteorite,"but merely telluric Iron, the same thing that Nordenskjold discovered."
Concerning Peary's plan for reaching, the pole, he said he knew too little to express an opinion.
As to his own plans, Dr. Nansen said he had none bearing arctic exploratio, "I have no idea of leading another expedition in search of the north pole." he said. "To the south pole? I do not know about that, I might possibly undertake some antarctic exploration at some time in the future, though I have no definite plans in that line now."
Not After a Record.
He said he did not expect to undertake the fixing of the northern boundary of Greenland, "though his former Captain, Sverdrup, was about to head an expedition for that purpose.
"There is northing at the north pole to discover," said Dr. Hansen, "except a sea of ice. I have never taken any stock in the record-breaking business. In my recent expedition I was not striving to reach any precise mathematical point. My purpose was to explore the unknown arctic regions. In that I succeeded."
"Would the discovery of the north pole be of any material use?" the explorer was asked.
"Yes," he answered, "It would be of scientific use, and anything that is of value to science is of material value."
Dr. Nansen is thirty-six years old, but looks younger. He is six feet tall, has light hair and mustache, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. When he appeared on the deck of the Lucania ready to come ashore he wore a tight-fitting double-breasted gray sack coat and a soft crush hat. At first glance he looked more like a big, healthy, sport-loving college boy that the world-famed scientist and explorer.
There was an enthusiastic reception for Dr. Nansen in the evening at Chickering Hall, given by the American Geographical Society. The hall was filled with people, who rose to their feet and applauded the explorer as he came upon the platform. Lieut. Perry was there, as were Sergt. Long of the Greely expedition, and Capt. Brainerd, the partner of the ill-fated Lockword. Others on the platform were: Ex-Judge Charles P. Daly, President of the sociery; Paul du Challu, Henry Holt, ex-Judge Charles A. Peabody, Prof. J.H. Van Armringe, Gen. Egber. L Vicle, Capt. A.T. Mahan, Admiral Gherardi. Austen G. Fox, and Morris K. Jesup.
Dr. Nansen was introduced by Judge Daly, who then presented to him the Cullum Geographical Medal, awarded by the council of the society. The metal bore the inscription; "Awarded to Frikijof Nansen for his voyage in the Fram and sledge journey on the Ice floes to 80 degrees 14 minues north. 1893-1896."
After a lengthy presentation speech made by Judge Daly, Dr. Nansen expressed his thanks for the gift. "I more especially appreciate it," he said, in slightly broken English, "because it is given (to) me by nation which has had so many great explorers."
He said he had not been aware that he was attend a meeting untill he stepped on shore, so that he was not prepared to make a long address.
The Object of His Trip
"The main object of our expedition, "he said, "was to explore the polar region and make scientific observations on the way rather than the discovery of the pole. I believe that the deep sea, covered by a thin layer of ice, found all along our route, extends much further north, and that, in all probability, the pole iteself is in this same ocean, covered by floating ice. I believe however, that there is probably some unknown land between the pole and the most northern shores of America. In my opinion, the pole can be reached by sleds and dogs, which is next going to be done."
The speaker concluded by expression his admiration for Lieut. Peary and a hope that he would reach the pole on his next expedition.
Lieut. Peary wore his naval uniform. He spoke of the admiration of the American people had for Nansen, and said they would greet him with the warmest welcome.
Capt. Brainerd was then prevailed upon to say a few words. "The United State," he said, "held this record for the furthest north for fourteen years. When I learned of Nansen carrying the Norwegian flag beyond the point reached by the Stars and Stripes, it was something of a shock to me, but I was consoled by the thought that it was most fitting that the Norwegians, the descendants of the old Vikings, should hold the record."
After the addresses those in the audience were invited to the platform to meet the famous explorer. Dr. Nansen was elected an honorary member of the society.
