NARES, narz, Six George Strong, English vice-admiral and Arctic explorer: b. Aberdeen, 1831; d. 15 Jan. 1915. The son of a naval offi cer, he was educated at the Royal Naval Col lege and entered the navy in 1845. After serv ing on the Australian station he was appointed mate on the Resolute in the Arctic expedition of 1852-54, taking part in some long sledge journeys, covering 665 miles in 69 days and later 586 miles in 56 days. He next served in the Crimean War; on the Mediterranean sta tion; and lieutenant in charge of cadets, for whose instruction he wrote 'The Naval Cadet's Guide' 0860Y, afterward published under the title of 'Seamanship.' In 1866-67 he surveyed the coasts of Australih; in 1869 the Gulf of Suez, and from 1872 to 1874 commanded the Challenger on a exploration round the world. In 1875 he was placed at the head of the North Polar Expedition, consisting of H. M. S. Alert and Discovery, with the object of reaching the Pole via Smith's Sound.
Leaving the Discovery in Lady Franklin Bay, Nares proceeded in the Alert along the western shore of Robeson Channel, reaching the then highest latitude (82° 27') and long. 61° 22'. The sun disappeared for 142 days from 12 Oct. 1875; on the return of daylight, a sledge ex pedition of 53 men attempted a "dash" to the Pole, returning after 72 days, suffering in tensely from the cold and scurvy. They had planted the British flag in lat. 83° 10' 26" N. Returning home in Oct. 1876. Nares was em ployed in various duties till 1878, when he was sent in the Alert to survey Magellan Strait, South America. He was created K. C. B. in 1876. For 18 years he was next engaged at the Board of Trade as professional officer of the harbor department; then he became Acting Conservator of the River Mersey, retiring in 1886. He published a number of reports on his voyages.