The New York herald., 1873-10-17
Arrival Of the Diana at Dundee
from Her Search for
Gateway to the Pole.
HER CRUISE AMONG TEE ICEEERGS.
Interview with MIR. Leigh Smith, the Com
mander Of the Expedition.
. p I T z B f II @ Z n I.
Further Strange Reports About the
Death Of Captain Hail.

DUNDEE. Sept. %. 1879.
was on the point of departing for London when
intelligence reached me that still another bafnsd
Arctic exploring party had reached this town. On
making my way to the docks I found that the yes
sci alluded to was the steam yacht Diana, OF
Glasgow, which, under command Of Mr. Leigh
Smith, enthusiastic and wealthy English yachts
man, had been cruising all summer in the neigh
borhood Of Spitzbergen in the hope Of finding q
northeastern passage from that island to the Pole
MR. SMITHS IDEA.
MIR. Smith has made several trips to Spitzbergen
In his own yacht, the Samson and In 1871 he pene-
trated as far north as 81 deg. "a min. From con-
versations he has held with Morse fishermen and
others he is satisfied that there Is land lying to
the northeast OF Spitzbergen. discovered nearly
two centuries ago by an old Dutch commander
named Gillies, who named 1t Gilliesland Believing
that this ultima thule OF these Norsemen II re-
discovered, would be o valuable stepping stone
to the Pole, he determined IN the spring
OF the present year to equip at his own expense .
complete Arctic expedition and 60 in search OF this
northeastern territory en- route TO the Pole. He
chartered the Diana, powerful steam yacht be-
longing to o Mr.. Lamond, o wealthy land owner in
the west OF Scotland, and secured Q crew OF
twenty-five able seamen and the services OF Cap
tain Fairweather, q Dundee whaler Of extensive
experience, as his sailing master. He was also 40
companied BY the Rev. A. E. Eaton, who acted ~
naturalist; by Mr.. II. @. Chermsida, Royal Engt-
neers, who was to undertake the surveys, and by
Mr.. T Z. Potter. son OF Mr.. 7. B. Potter, the
well known Member Of Parliament from Manches-
ter, who conducted the Photographic operations.
In addition to the DIANA Mr.. Smith fitted out his
own yacht, the Samson, TO act as q tender, placing
In her crew Of thirteen men, under command or
Captain Walker, also q Dundee whaler Of repute,
and despatchipg her. with full supply Of stores to
await his arrival in the Diana at Spitzbergen.
am indebted to Lieutenant Chermside for the fol-
lowing notes from his log book
We left Dundee on the 10th OF May and had to
put into Lerwick In consequence OF foul weather,
gale On tine t LEFT ar
souheriy gale which carried US right up to the ice,
which was made on the 23d, little to the east
ward OF the rarely visited
JAN MAYEN's ISLAND.
This Island bears the name OF the Dutch navigator
who discovered II In 1911, and 1t lies several degrees
long by iour broad, surrounded by M usually very
stormy sea. On the island is o very curious snow
clad conicany shaped mountain, which rises TO the
and highest point within the North Polar Zone
Sm ns tns Diana had e push nsr
untfl she reached the latitude OF ss asgrees
Ssa sisns sas seassns Extending about asy niles
aorosS, and Leading, as far as could be seen from
| the masthead in s0uthwestery direction. After
! consultation 1t was resolved not to follow this
lead, as It seemed to diverge from the proper
head was still kept TO the northeast and passage
sought along the shore OF the ice pack. A great
were exceedingly shy. large sheet OF open
water was reached In 70 deg. 80 min., and from
making for the island magnificent fellow OF a
| whale was sighted, the wreck or small ships
boat and an oar were passed and number OF sad
w ThQ Gnitv vIa cf
| was made on the 7th, and Norwegian 'sea horse
man." or vessel engaged in hunting warus, was
| spoken, and informed the Diana that
THE SWEDISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION
| was lying beset at Mossel Bay and In distress.
reaching the edge OF the noe at Mossei Bay the
| Swedish vessels three in number, were seen lying
close in shore, fast In the ice there being betwxt
them and the Diana some three and half miles OF
fast noe, which in some places was seven feet
thick. The Swedes at once made for the Diana,
who had been on half rations for weeks, with the
prospect ahead OF good square meal. While they
ali her bunting and sent "a deputaton to escort
the Swedes to the ship. On their arrival they were
ieasted and Jeted, and gave their story as fol-
lows
The expedition was equipped and supported by private
enterprise in Sweden the government supplying the
II9n Steamer q s1 tons sesSmpa1ed By the sailing
IS sims;s "a, 5.
ssS e and r s the r which len
failed arrive they were beset ami during their
sa,e OF siege they considerably p.nched food
The total strength OF the expedition was sixty and in the
spring q the the present year boat sleigh party was
dssn % sss vet at the Polo
THR HEAD
ting as lar as Hnlopen Straits on the north shore Of
Winch they lett two OF their boats and then made their
to ne osh So
hpps Island ND and DEPOT sy of pro 'T
the land foe to the land Along this they trav
eled on the fast ice At times tracking long low
careful obser vaons every point and meeting nune.
rous herds Of reindeer and many Polar bears. From
their mos, eastern point they struck route
wncrc In the two boats they had left there they sailed to
nerioaen Hook whence IS only twelve miles to Mosscl
actly sixty days and Its results published Will 1t
Is aid, be 81 especial interest to naturalists
event 10 the crews OF these Swedish vessels and
nil suLpy Of provisions including lime JUICE, fresh po
htoes hs aE tobacco and preserves was at once sent
broke up, and the Swedish xplorers returned home.
The story OF their adventurous sedge expedition,
WIZ many important observations made by the
way, is TO be published by Professor Nordenskiod.
me DANA afterwards made several unsuccessful
attempts 70 steam through Hinopen Straits, with
the view OF reaching Wiches Land out found after
tney nad got some thirty miles up that Il was i'm
possible 10 proceed on account OF the pack ice
Ihey managed to reach as far north as so deg. so
min.. In longitude II deg east. All enorts to reach
wlches Land failed. Icebergs of vast size were
met, ana ~ olga strait chain OF stranded bergs
WAS seen extending for many miles. After re-
peatod attempts to get north the Diana nnally
gave up ner efforts and made Tor Scotland, reach
ceeded In obtaining some very nne photographs OF
polar scenery The crew are all tolerably certain