, 1877-12-08
.8Jl9 lIrlll 9ag
"BY SEA TO SIBERIA"

-&
With regard 10 the navigation along the
north coast of Europe and Asia to siberia
the following sketch of a programme for a bold
er attempt next year will be of interest PRO
fessor Norlenskj0ld has already made TWO
successful trips to the mouth of the Yenlssei
by sea, and next year, starting in July, ne pro-
poses to force his way along the north coasts
of Europe and Asia, n aking his exit by Behr'
ing Straits. In the programme of this exptdl-
ion he speaks of the results recently obtained
by the Swedish Arctic Expeditions~-scienti6c.
geographical, and practical. Besides purply
scientific results, much Rew material has bsen
collected in meteorology and photography,
valuable Information obtained bearing on seal
and whale fishing, and considerable beds of
coal and phosphates have been discovered at
the Bear Islands and Spitzberg n which will
one day or other prove Of great value to the
neighbuuring countries, Professor NOrden.
ski0ld's last two expeditions opened up new
maritime routes to the mouths of the Voc great
rivers of Siberia-the YenisSei and the Obi,
: routes which bave already proved of consider
able commercial Importance. The hazardous
expedition of next year. like the two we refer
to, will be mainly supported by a generous
Go,henburg merchant, of English descent, Mr..
Oscar Dickson. The King OF Sweden, however
will contribute a proportion of the expenses.
The ocean which BORDERS the north coast OF
Asia, from the mouth Of the Yenissei to Chaun.
ekaia bay near the east end, e., from 50
deg. to 40 deg. of longitude, has never, with
The extel lion of a few cOasting voyages about
a century ago. in vessels built more fer river
than ocean navigation, been traversed by the
keel of a vessel, nor seen the smoke OF a
steamer. Professor Nordenskj0ld is convinced
IT.. 49, IL. doua &C COok fom nYnndiGnnQ
have bad more important discoveries in store
for them, provided always that the state of the
ice makes it possible for a steamer Of cow nj
emit Hzo TO penetrate it. Professor Ncrden.
skiold hen gives a sketch of the knowledge
we at present possess of the regions to be
explored. from which il re- ults that the ocean
to The north of Siberia has never been traVersed
by a ship really seaworthy, and still less by a
steamer specially equipped tor navigation
among floating ice that the small vessels
with which attempts have been made to
navigate this part of the ocean have never
dared to venture far from the coast that they
have almost always sought a win:ering harbour
precisely at the time OF year when the sea is
lfteest frpm ice-i. e., at the end of summe or
in autumn-that although the sea which ex-
tends from Care Cbelyuskin in Brhring Strait
has been trayelsed by various stages. yet no
one has succeeded in accomplishing the
course in a single voyage; that The ice breaks
up in the end Of summer. leaving plenty Of open
spaces for navigation and.that it is probable
that the Siberian Sea Is separated from the
Polar Sea proper by q series of islands of which
J we at present know only Wrangell Land and
: the island forming New Siberia. Resting on
ali these datas Professor Nordenskjold believes
that a thoroughly equipped steamer would be
! q able, without very great difficulty. to run over
q this course during the autumn and thus not only
solve q geographical problem centuries old. but
4 collect q mass of results of great scientific and
a practical value. He hopes to be able to prove
i that it is quite practicable to go not only from
q Europe, but also from the Pacific, to, the
) great Siberian rivers. Even should, Professor
! Nordsnskjold not succeed 10 carrying out biz
programme il all its completeness he will moi
consider that. his proposed expe dition willpb
IN VAN. BY wintering at some. suitable spot
sIonthS north coast Of Siberia he vill,hs able to
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