Various authorities will give different estimates of the probable error in observations taken at the Pole. I am personally inclined to think that an allowance of five miles is an equitable one.
No one, except those entirely ignorant of such matters, has imagined for a moment that I was able to determine with my instruments the precise position of the Pole, but after having determined its position approximately, then setting an arbitrary allowance of about ten miles for possible errors of the instruments and myself as observer, and then crossing and recrossing that ten mile area in various directions, no one except the most ignorant will have any doubt but what, at some time, I had passed close to the precise point, and had, perhaps, actually passed over it.
[3] Drowned April 10th, returning from 86° 38´ N. Lat.
[4] Transmitted by O. H. Tittmann, Superintendent, Coast and Geodetic Survey.
[5] These observations were made by Marvin and MacMillan, assisted by Borup, seaman Barnes, and fireman Wiseman.—R.E.P.
[6] Results from Greely's observations, 1881-83, covering a period of nearly two years.
[7] Observations made in 1875-76 and 1881-83. Greely's Report, Vol. II, p. 230.
[8] Greely's Report, Vol. II, pp. 196, 197, 220, 221. Hourly readings used.
[9] Observations made in 1881-83. Greely's Report, Vol. II, p. 166.
[10] Greely's Report, Vol. II, pp. 122, 123, 146, 147. Hourly readings are reduced to sea level.