Antarctica Exploration

Extracts from Alex Gleason’s Book – Antarctic Exploration

An extract from Alexander Gleason’s Book – Is the Bible from Heaven? Is the Earth a Globe?

The Challenger expedition to Antarctica, referred to by Gleason, was the third expedition (following two previous expeditions by French and British mariners) sailing from Port Louis in December 1942.

We understand by authentic statistics that the expedition of the Challenger and the reports of her cruise cost the nation the extravagant sum of over one million dollars. This, the necessary result of which that government regards with cautious proposal as to any further scientific advances for any similar expedition. And it, we believe, expressed its discouragement of the proposed Antarctic expedition in connection with the Australian Government.

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 b e suggestive to the reader: Were the earth a globe or spheroid, inside of the Antarctic 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, w-e 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-thirds 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 ?

A suggestion here will do no harm, if it does no good. We charge nothing for our advice when it is not followed. The aforesaid expedition could have made just as great a failure, with less money. Two or three hundred thousand dollars expended in sending one expedition south-west of Melbourne and a second south-east, they would end themselves at a distance of a thousand miles or so, the same as a rat in a barrel, and still find themselves as far from their “magnetic pole ” as the north is from the south, the east from the west, or the Kingdom of Heaven is from the earth. But in the words of another, we would say: “To be looking for a south pole at the end of the nineteenth century just because some pagan astrologers conceived the idea of a planet earth, some two thousand years ago and men are yet found who pretend to accept this heathen blasphemy, is presumption in the extreme.

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. And if anything is attempted beyond the inquiry whether there is any southeast or southwest passage, no possible result can follow than loss and discredit to the promoters and cruel suffering to the parties engaged.”


Alexander Gleason
Alexander Gleason

Who was Alex Gleason?

Alexander “Alex” Gleason was an author, and cartographer residing in Buffalo, United States.

 Gleason was a devout religious man and had absolute conviction that the heliocentric model of the Earth wasn’t proven, lacked evidence, and conflicted with Biblical scripture.

Find out more about Gleason and his famous 1892 map of the world.

More Posts