The daily gazette., 1878-12-19
SWEDISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Letters from Professor Nordenskiold's
swedish Arc ic expedition, in ssarcn of a
practicable northeast passage from West
ern Europe 10 Behring S rait via the
kala Sea, has been received, and there
now exists no doubt that the attempt has
Deen crowned with success. Al er pen
etratlng the Lara Sea, with his steamers
the Vega and Lena, Professor Norden-
SKIOLD reached the mouth of the Yenisei.
From Decks ms Port, a trading point es-
ta6llshed there by the Professor during a
iormer stay, the expeditionary steamers
sailed along the coast line toward Cape
ChelJuskin or the North Cape of Asia,
which was passed successfully. Tie
voyage continued until finally the mouth
OF the river Leana was reached-an
achievement unequalled in these seas.
| The details as well as the resume of the
history OF exploration in the Kara Sea
and its vicinity, shows the immense ex-
tent OF continental coast line explored,
the positions Of The North Capes of Eu-
rope and Asia and Of the great rivers of
Sib ria that pour into the Arctic Ocean.
The reader can easily imagine the COM
mercial advan ages of navigable route
from Western Europe to Japan and China
via Kara Sea and Behring Strait. Such
a route, if found practicable for steamers
even during few months of each year,
would open up trade TO the northern
half of the vast continent of Asia now
drained by the rivers Obi, Yeuisei and
Lena, which will, without doubt, prove
navigable for great distances from their
mouths. Professor Nordenskjold has
shown already that trading vessels carry
ing profitable cargoes can reach the
mouth OF the Yensei in August and Sep
tember, and so as to return to Europe
laden with marketable f eight before the
ice again closes the Kara Sea.
The success OF Proft ssor Nordesk iold's
Arctic explorations goes 10 prove the ws-
dom Of the Swedes, who instead of fol-
lowing tine routes pursued by the Eng
lish SO long and so fruitles,ly, have struck
out new line, and with very great if not
complete, success. No one doubts that
the Swedish ship Vega, in which Nor.
denskJold is completing his voyage to
Behring Strait, will reach Japanese or
American poit. Indeed she is said by
whalers to be near the Strait, but beset
with ice, aud has thus practically made
the journey. The p ogress OF Swed sh
explol alton in this case proves the Wis.
dom of the late DIR. Petdermann aud
others who urged the adopt on of new
routes, and shows the way to greater
discoveries and perhaps to the Pole it.
self is not by Baffn's Bay aud Smith
J Sound, but Via either Behrng Strait OIL
; Spitzbergen. The American expedition
which will leave San FIanclsco nexl
June, may, perhaps, in case Professor
Nordenskjold's vessel meets with any
IN shap this winter, which Heaven for.
bid, fall in with bis party and be able L
offer them means of rescue. Should sucf
prove to be the case no doubt the Swed
ish explorers, having accomplished 81
much by way of the northeast passage
would seize the opportunity to join force
with the Americans and proc, ed will
them toward the Pole. 1t would be a
least great achievement to add 80 mucl
to tie geoe raphical knowledge of tn
world, as would be contributed by
: thorough exploration of the land to tn
= northwest of Herald Island, even thougl
the secret of the PIE should not b.
reached.