The Dipsey carried a great store of explosive appliances of various patterns and of the most improved kinds, and some of them of immense power, and Mr.Marcy proposed that a long line of these should be laid over the level ice and then exploded.
The ice below them would be shivered into atoms, and he believed that an open channel might thus be made, through which the Dipsey might easily proceed.

Then another line of explosives would be laid ahead of the vessel, and the length of the canal increased.

This would be a slow method of proceeding, but it was considered a sure one.
As to the progress over the snow and ice of those who were to lay the lines of shells, that would be easy enough.

It had been supposed that it might be necessary for the party to make overland trips, and for this purpose twenty or more electric-motor sledges had been provided.

These sledges were far superior to any drawn by dogs or reindeer; each one of them, mounted on broad runners of aluminium, was provided with a small engine, charged at the vessel with electricity enough to last a week, and was propelled by means of a light metal wheel with sharp points upon its outer rim.