The Smith Sound route was not favored by everyone; among those who rejected it was leading cartographer August Petermann, from Gotha in Germany, widely known as the "Sage of Gotha".
Smith Sund-ruten blev ikke promoveret af alle; blandt dem, der afviste den, var den i samtiden førende geograf og korttegner August Petermann fra Gotha i Tyskland, kendt som "Sage Gotha".