The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-26

.. Polar EXPLORATIONS - THE GERMAN
Norm po1E ExplDITIoN.-Fuller news
has unexpectedly been received from the
cartain Of this expedition. He writes:
"Frorn Bergen to near the island Of Jan
Meyen we had n good and quick journey.
In not quite six days we had made the
whole distance, as we had calculated. We
had thus accomplished within that period,
in straight line, about l degrees or 66O
nautical miles, and in very changeable
weather, too. From complete calm 1t
changed TO perfect storms and winds IN
manifold directions. Near Jan Meyen we
had on the morning of the 3Oth OF May a
complete hurricane from the east 3; the sea
began to surge very considerably, the air
wasthick with rain, SO TINT one could hardly
see q league in advance; the temperature fell
from degrees to degree R., the rain soon
was transformed into icy needles, and sails,
ropes, and all, were covered with frozen
crust. But our brave little vessel did not
take anv notice of it. She flew over the sea
like bird. In order to dry our rigginG5
we kept on as long as possible mt full sail,
making more than ten knots an hour, which
meant something with our little craft, who
behaved beautifully all the time. From
Jan Mcyen we generally held to the INV
towards East Greenland for two days,
making q distance of about 200 leagues
through thick fog, which showed the rici-
nity OF ice but not before the 9Th Of June,
in II deg. 80 min. north lat, 10 deg. 81
min. west long, at a distance of only sixty
seven nautical miles from the coast of
Greenland, did we see the first ice. We in
stantly went at it, and succeeded in pene-
trating it, after three days hard work, IS
far as rs deg. 70 min. north lat, IL deg.
rs min. west long. On the Sth Of june,
however, another severe hurricane from
the east tried our little Germania to the
utmost, but she held firm and tight, and
suffered 10 damage. The stormy weather
kept on. We had to lie by in the ice,
and 10 drift on with ii TO the south
ward, until wind and ice should be-
come more favorable. Meanwhile Sc
vcral scientific observations were taken,
and the time was further beguilca
by the killing of six ice-bears. On the 10th
of June we had arrived at IS deg. A. min.
north lat, and Is deg. 40 min. west long.
or 1902 miles to the south, and FROM here the
whole coast from Hudson's Hold-with- Hope
to Sabine island-the latter sixty-cight
miles digtant-waS seen distinctly in the
clear weather. But there was no chance OF
reaching it then, since the storms of the
previous week had driven the ice toward the
coast, where it lay towering up to prodi-
gious heights. Sticking fast in the ice, our
vessel drifted on until the goth of June,
thirty miles further to the south, to n deg
20 min. north lat, and l6 deg. Is min.
west long. On the same day there came q
boat from the English vessel Diana, from
Hull, which lay only four miles from US sea-
ward in the open water, and which has
taken our news. The prospect had mean
time Frightened up. The wind had changed
to the northwest. The weather was very
beautiful; there was no cloud in the sky
and the ice commenced to give way
Petermann, to whom the letter is I'D
dressed, adds to it: alt shows great bold
ness and energy that the little Germans
has at once gone into the heavy ice ano
penetrated SO far west. That she has beer
kept there by the prevalent eastern winds
and storms is but natural. change o
wind and weather would at once procure
her liberation"
Scorcsby in 1922 approached the coas
IN the same season-nay, on the same day
June Sth. but degree lower south (seventy
four degrees aud ten minutes north lati
tudc), and had to cruise about till July 27tf
before he could effect his first landing. A.
the season advances the task becomes easier
Thus tue Sahine-Claverjng expedition, IL
August, 1923, trayersed the ice within few
J days. Perhaps, therefore, our GermaniI
has by this time already got over the worst
The worst that can happen to ship is t
be kept beleaguercd in the ice, anC
to have to withstand storms in it. Boil
things happened to the expedition. Blu
these difficulties and dangers are no
so great to the east as to the ives
of Greenland, where many English expedi
tions have gone. Whenever an expedition
stuck in the ice there, two or three year:
used to pass before anything was heard O
it, while we have had news after scarcely
five weeks. q have the captain writes
collected much useful experience as to TIKI
ice already, and ! say it is not SO danger
Gus that with caution and circumspectior
you cannot get on comfortably in it. DE-
not, therefore, in spite Of the bad weather
give up hope. The temperature has always
Kept between x deg. and . deg. R. We
have not had it colder than deg. vet. We
are IN the best condition possible. Every.
body on board is thoroughly comfortable
We have warm clothing, good, wholesome
food, and strong, beautiful vessel unde,
our feet. What more can sailor want p )