First Arctic Expedition
In 1869, on suggestion from August Petermann, he joined an expedition to the Arctic Sea with the aim to investigate the islands of Spitzbergen and Novaya Zemlya and survey the ocean in their vicinity. Because of adverse ice conditions, only the first destination could be reached. During the course of the expedition, hydrographical measurements were performed and the climatological influence of the Gulf Stream on the eastern coast of Spitzbergen was demonstrated. After returning to his home country in 1870, he joined the German army as a surgeon in time for the Franco-Prussian war. For his military service he received a public commendation from the Grand Duke of Baden.
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Famous quotes containing the words arctic and/or expedition:
“Does the first wild-goose care
whether the others follow or not?
I don’t think so he is so happy to be off
he knows where he is going
so we must be drawn or we must fly,
like the snow-geese of the Arctic circle.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“It is a sort of ranger service. Arnold’s expedition is a daily experience with these settlers. They can prove that they were out at almost any time; and I think that all the first generation of them deserve a pension more than any that went to the Mexican war.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)