The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-12-10 00:00:00

THE LEIGH SMITH iRCTIC
EXPEDITION,

In Peterhead, among those who from their large ex-
perience in Arctic navigation are best qualified to
judge, the *pinion prevails that both the Eira and her
crew are safe.

The Eira left Peterhead on the 13th of June, and
reached Matotchliin Straits on the last day of that
month. It is probable that an attempt was there
made to get up between the ice and the land on
the west coast of Nova Zembla, but that, having
failed, the vessel returned to the Straits, and thence,
probably, made direct for Eira Harbour. In ordi-
nary years the main pack of ice in the months of June
and July is open, but this year the coast of Snitzbergen
was all encumbered with ice. Along the west side
of Spitzbergen the surface temperature, usually 40
deg., and often as high as 44 deg., was standing as low
as 34 deg. The ice this year was met by whalers more
than 300 miles further east and south than in ordinary
years. In the month of April a Norwegian vessel, sail-
ing from Nova Zembla to Greenland, passed through the
drift ice on the route, showing that the main pack was
not far off. It was necessary, therefore before Mr.
Leigh Smith could reach Franz Josef's Land, that he
should make his way through an immense barrier of ice,
and his success in penetrating this field depends wholly
upon the condition in which he found the ice. Mr.
Smith is too experienced a navigator among the ice to
have attempted a passage had there not been a pro-
spect of getting through the pack. • Had he seen no
prospect of penetrating, he would certainly at once
have returned to this country. Apart from unfore-
seen accident, therefore, the chances are that the
vessel is safe in Eira Harbour, last year's rendezvous.
This harbour is well sheltered, and the vessel is not
only fully provisioned for 14 months, but has bread
and flour for two years. Besides, the supplies can be
supplemented by unlimited quantities of walrus and
other game abounding at that place. There is a supply
of coals on board which, without using them for the
engines, will last for two or three years. The vessel
has a spare screw on board in case of accident, in addi-
tiqn to a lifting propeller, and is furnished with first-
class engines.
If, on the other hand, the Eira has got fast in the
pack, she moy be said to have the advantage of the
winds in her favour. The prevalence of southerly
atno clear off the ice now
cl Nova Zembla, and
beteniirdcgehennw almost certainly fcy ill ollow
in 7gaielntehigB'eobrweteaihtrl well
yrelhyes have
ieiSnngPadi winds
zwt
will hi all probability break it up.
¶l.he liberation of a vessel from a pack may happen
at any time, and the Eira possesses advantages for a
perilous voyage such as none of her predecessors en-
joyed. She has strength greatly in excess of her ton-
nage, is as well secured and fastened as the best whaler,
having a light draft of water, has a better chance
o
In the event of a squeeze, she will rise.
and,Eveescalpve.
ere the ship caught in the ice and crushed
there would be time for the crew to save the stores,
.and the vessel provided with every necessary in case
such an emergency should happen.

Mr. Smith, before leaving, expressed his intention
of pushing for Eira H arbour, and in cpnversation fre-
quently stated that he would not mind being obliged
to winter there. The general opinion in Peterhead is
that the vessel has reached Eira Harbour, but that the
ice has formed around her. In that case it may be
years before an opportunity of escape presents itself.
Very little uneasiness is felt in Peterhead, although
most of the crew belong to that place. It is thought
advisable, however, that a relief vessel should be sent
out in the course of next summer by either Mr. Leigh
Smith's relatives or the Government.—Wednesday's
Times.