Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-28
NORDENsK,}0LD'S EXPEDITION.
Discovery of Northeast Passage
from Europe to Behring's Strait.

A correspondent writing from Berlin SAYS:
The long and ardently expected reports of Pro-
feSSor NordenSkjoidS successful voyage from
the Yenisei around the North Cape OF Asia To
the Lena-a feat never before accomplished by
any VeSSet-haNe Row come TO hand, fiiiy con
frmiBg the Geographic news OF his sale arrival
at the Lena, received on the 14th OF October.
We extract from a letter dated Ion the Lena.
August "a" and written by Lieutenant How
gard. naval officer on NCrteGS6j0,dS stan.
the following interesting particulars:
I've left Dickson port on the 10th Of August.
and had not gone far before we perceived the
charts to be entirely wrong. for tie coast is in
reality far more 10 the west than hitherto SUD-
posed. The nne weather with which we were
at first favored now gave way 10 dense and
continuous fog. In spite of the elements we
pushed onward, and on the nth passed Cape
Sterlegon. the fuTthest point Yet reached by any
vessel. We constantly perceived small Islands
not given on the map. ON Monday. the 18th OF
August, We encountered ice. but not In such
quantity as to demand special attention. In
the afternoon the ice began 10 thicken and
gradually surround us so that we were quite
unable TO break through the concealed masses.
We increased our steam power and dashed with
fun force against the heavy blocks, in order TO
make way not only for ourselves. but also for
the Lena, our smaller companion. whose iron
sides are less able 10 withstand as much as the
23-fnch oak plankS OF the Vega. After While,
when all efforts failed we had to abandon our
attempts at breaking through at this point.
Evening neared before an outlet was diSeoy-
cred, through which we escaped toward the
east.
LIGHT OF THE MipEIGHT SUN.
"a wonderful panorama spread around us
TO tie south lay The Taimur land, glifteTing
fiery red in the Ray Of the midnight sun, ap-
peafing, by retracton. high above the northern
horizon, While the ice rejecting in the air as
SUned fantastic forms. Upon the CLASSY sur
face CT the sea the TWO steamers gided smoothly
onward, passing many little fj0rdS, with ice
hinged coasts An unfortunate bear, incan-
t0uS enough TO swim too near the Lena, had 80
atone with his life for his tatneGity. ThiS Arcilc
Splendor was not of long duration; the next day
we were again obliged 10 resume our usual ma
nduvrinT between the drifting ice. when all at
once, at a distance Of barely so yards. we
sighted land. or course we anchored and
waited for clear weather, which finally CnSued
about three in the afternoon, only TO be soon
replaced by fog and ice. sui. as bast we could,
we held eastward until favorable opportunity
ttr anchoring presented Itself in the shape Of
small bay i'll The sound situated between Tai
muir and and the continent. Thus haven was
named by Us Actinia port, from the masses OF
Il SORT 0f pOIypjS we saw in the water. On the
tn CT August we were at last released from
cur compulsory rest by change Of weather
driving away tie surrounding ice. Continually
euNeoped III a thick mist we SteeF1d toward
CheiJuSkin, first noticed by us the succeeding
day. Without really seeing the land Itself, but
only following its icy outlines. we at the APP
preach OF night arrived at the little bay stu
aled 10 tie west OF the northern extremity Of
ASIA, and bearing the DaiGe OF its first diScoy-
il by land, in 1I49 Who can describe tie feel
ingS of triumphant JOY with which we at last
uttN near lie lOIs5-couSnU SUdI?
SALUTiNG THE NORTH CAPE OF ASIA.
with all fiagS waving and gTCeJin" the time
h0nored northern point OF the Old World with
five SaluJes, the Vega steamed proudly into the
hafbOr. While the sun, as If 10 give additional
luStre to the festive occasion, diSpeiied the
clouds, showing a range OF high, snow covered
hills in the background. From the top OF a
large prOmoRtOTy bear stared fnquirtngiy at
his unexpected guests, but after receiving a few
shots deemed it prudent to retire To the shelter
Of the hills. Continuing our observations the
next day we erected a cairn, in which we de-
posted Il document telling OF our expedition
and future plans. At p. H. on the 20tn OF
August we weighed anchor and steered east
ward. After battling amid fog and ice we at
tanned the narrow coast OF the Iamur penin-
SGia and had the luck 10 meet almost OGen
water The coast is about fifty English miles
more TO the west Than noted down OH the chart
On tie 18th we anchored near small island in
the entrance OF the Ghatanga Bay. We made
final observations and sailed onward We are
Low in the mouth CT the Lena where we ptrG
company with our Lena, WHO carries the mail
10 akutSk, her destination. she is to remain
t!.efe until heXt year, when she VIII return to
EUROPE. We, continuing our course ia the
Vega, hope, in few months, to hail Japan aiii
successfully accomplish the long desired and
hoped for discovery OF the northern passage
FROM The Atlantic to the Pacific ocean,"