CHAPTER IX
MAGNETISM, AURORA, AND TIDES
Almost every important recent Polar expedition that has set out for work extending over twelve months, has laid itself out to make a study of the magnetic conditions either of the Arctic or Antarctic Regions. The two polar ships that have been specially equipped recently for taking magnetic observations on board were the Discovery and the Gauss, upon which large sums of money were spent to secure a special area of the ship free of local magnetic influences. No other polar ships have ever been equipped so particularly in this direction, though many others, notably the Erebus and Terror in the Antarctic Regions, did a considerable amount of magnetic work. Recently the Carnegie Institution at Washington have fitted out a magnificently equipped non-magnetic sailing ship, the Carnegie, which is carrying out work of the highest importance in the form of a magnetic survey of the seas of the world. Unfortunately this fine ship does not appear to be fitted out for navigation in ice, consequently this important survey must remain
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