The New York herald., 1878-12-17
NORDENsKJOLDS EXPEDITION.

DISCOVERY OF NORTHEAST PASSAGE FROM
EUROPE TO BEHRING sTEAIT-THE NORTH CAPE
or AsIA-BArTIING WITH ICE AND sTEFnrNG
THROUGH DENSE FoGs-REAcHrNG TIE I.l>A,
BERLIN, Nov %. 1873.
The long and ardenty expected reports OF Professor
Nordenskio ioids successful voyage from the Yenisci
around the North Cape of Asia to the LENA feat
mower before accomplished by any vessel-have now
come to hand. fully confirming the telegraphic news
of his safe arrival at the Lena received the l4th
of October. We extract from letter dated "on the
Lena, August 27," and written by Lieutenant How
gard. naval officer Nordenski0lds staff. the fol-
lowing interesting particulars:.-
"We left Dickson port on the 10th of August ard
had gone before perceived the charts to be
entirely wrong for the coast is in reality far more to
the west than hitherto supposed The fine weather
with which at first favored now gave way to
dense and continuous fog In spite of the elements
pushed onward. and on the 18th passed Cape Ster
lcgof the furthest point vet reached by any vessel
We constantly perceived small islands not given
the map. ON Monday. the i2th of August we en-
countered ice. but not in such quantity to
demand special attention. In the afternoon
the ice began to thicken and gradually surround MS,
SO that We quite unable to break through the
congoalcd masses We increased our steam power
and dashed with full force against the heavy blocks
III order to make way not only for ourselves. but also
for the Lena smaller companion whose iron sides
less able to withstand much as the twenty three
inch oak planks of the Vega After while. when all
breaking through at this point Evening neared be-
fore outlet was discovered. through which we es-
LIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT SUM-
IA wonderful panorama spread around us. TO tho
south lay the Taimur land, gtterng fiery red in the
rays Of the midnight sun. appearing by rersction.
high above the northern horizon. while the ice re-
fecting in the air assumed fantastic FORMS Upon the
CLASSY surface Of the the two steamers glided
smoothly onward. passing many little fjords with
icefringed coasts. An unfortunate bear. incautious
enough to swim near the Lena had to atone with
not Of long duration; the ness. day we were again
obliged to resume our usual nanrsuvring b.
tween the drifting ice when all at once. at
distance of barely 300 yards. we sighted land. Of
course We anchored and waited for clear weather.
only TO be replaced by fog and ice. stu as best
we could we held eastward until favorable oppor-
tunity for anchorng presented itself in the shape OF
small bay in the sound situated between Taimur
Island anl the continent This haven WAS named by
us Actinia Port. from the masses OF sort
Of polypns saw in the water. On the
18th Of August we were at last released from
our compulsory rest by change of weather driving
the s ss II
noticed by us the succeeding day. without really
seeing the land itself but only following its icy
outlines at the approach Of night arrived the
little bay, situated to the west of the northern
extremity Of ASIA and bearing the Of its first
dscovcrer the Russian mate Chejuskin, who reached
it by land in 1749. Who describe the feelings OF
triumphant joy with which we At last drew near the
long sought goal!
sALUTNG THE NORTH CAPE OF As1A.
with all fags waving and greeting the time hon
ored northern point OF the Old World with five
salutes, the Vega steamed proudly into the harbor.
while the sun II to give additional lustre to the
festive occasion, dispeled the clouds, showing
range of high, covered hills in the background.
From the top of large promontory bear stared in
quirngly At his unexpected guests, but after recev
ing few shots deemed It prudent to retire to the
shelter of the hills. Continuing our observations
the next day erected cairn in which deposited
a document telling OF our expedition and future
plans. At y. NJ. the 20th Of August We weighed
anchor and steered eastward. After battling amid
fog and ice attained tho harrow coast Of the
Tailnur peninsula and had then the luck to meet a.
most open water. The coast is about fifty English
miles to the west than noted down the chart
On the 25th we anchored near small
island in the entrance Of the Chatanga Bay.
We made final observations and sailed
ward. We are now in the mouth Of the Lena
where part company with our Iona, who carries
the mail to Yakutsk, her destination. She is to
main there until next year. when she will return to
Europe. We, continuing our course in the Vega
hope, in afew months, to hail Japan and successfully
accomplish the long desired and hoped for discovery
of the northern passage from the Atlantic to the Pa
cifc