The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-06-11
Nordenskjold.
Boston Advertiser.

The name OF Nordenskjold, the learned
and daring Swede, is hencsforth to be added
to the list of successful explorers. He has
completed great achievement, and at the
same time has made distinct and original
contribution to the sum of humanknowi-
edge. Late IN December, when within few
days call of the end of his perilous voyage,
he was blocked in the ice near kellett Land
an island off the northeast coast of Siberia
Here he and his gallant company passed the
winter; it is NOT yet known how. Many
feared that they had met the fate OF other
explorers in the same destroying seas, and
preparations on great scale were already
making to rescue them if alive, or to find
traces of their loss. Others were more hope
full and predicted that they would come
safely to port as soon as the warmer currents
swept along that stormy coast. Their conf
dence has been justified, and the news of
the arrival of the Vega and its gallant crew
at Behring straits has been received with
satisfaction and relief throughout the civil
ICED world
Prof. Nordensk jold has been on many pre-
vious voyages of adventure and discovery.
Seven years ago he was selected by the Gov
eminent of Sweden to command a sledge
expedition toward the pole. He and is
companions went further than any travellers
had gone before, but the difficulties were
too great for endurance and the expedition
was abandoned without practical result.
Three years later, with the cooperation of
a wealthy merchant of Gottenburg who
shared his enthusiasm, Prof. Nordenskjo ld
sailed in command OF another expedition
along the coast. past Nova Zembla. to the
great central rivers OF Siberia emptying into
the sea. 1t WAS the first time the inhabit
ants of that vast region realized the possibil
tty of communication and traffic with
Europe by way of the Arctic ocean, and
they hailed the Swedish stranger as
national benefactor. Mercantile ventures
the following year, and have doubtless con-
tinued to this time, for Northern sailors are
courageous and enterp-isipg.
The success OF these enterprises embolden-
ed him to undertake a more daring edven-
ture, and seek passage to the Pacific ocean
through the Behring straits. King Oscar,
himself a sailor and an enlightened friond
and patron of learning, encouraged the per
ject with personal sympathy and liberal
grants of money. The ablest of his naval
officers were contributed to the expedition,
and representatives of the English and Ger
man navies were invited to accompany
them. Eminent men of science also con.
tributed their services, and sailed with them.
Mr.. Dickson, the Gottenburg merchant who
had enabled Professor Nordenskjold to make
his earlier voyages, opened his purse again,
and with gift equal to that of the crown
itself enabled the voyageurs to sail with
every possible device that could contribute
to their comfort and safety. The Vega sailed
on the 4th of July, 1873, and on the Sd of
May, 1879, she was reported in the straits,
out of danger, all on board WELL and about
starting for home by way OF the Suez canal.
When they arrive at mailing station,
which may not be for several weeks, we shall
have full particulars OF this interesting
voyage. Its successful accomplishment will
give fresh impulse to Arctic exploration,
and stimulate anew the increasing interest
in geographical science. 1t is the first genu-
inc success that has crowned the efforts Of
sailors in these Northern waters for many
years, and it has been achieved where the
greatest navigators of the world have failed.
1t has demonstrated the possibility of COM
merce between the two great oceans by a
route hitherto unknown. The value of the
discovery is still to be shown. But to have
found an open sea eastward from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and TO have actually
made the first passage, is a distinction to be
proud of. -ss-