The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-09-12
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA.

TnE WI A0E VI HE VLUas
The Passage Of the Northeastern Seas Made
for the First Timc-Neariy Fourteen Months
| Consumed I'm the Great Undertaking Prof.
NorticnsIJold Sanguine Of the Utilityof the
Route for Commerce.
Prof. Nordenskj oid's Arctic expedi-
ton, of the safety of which fears were
for a long time entertained, recently
arrived at Yokohama, Japan, in good
condition, and all its members in ex-
cellent health, having accomplished the
Northeast passage. The safety of the
Swedish explorer and his followers,
now assured, will be O source of gratifi-
cation to the civilized world, while to a
large class of scientists in both hemis-
pheres it cannot fail to promise great
and lasting pleasure and profit. The
long absence of the professor, the fears
entertained for SO extended time that
his life had been sacrificed in his en-
deavor to serve and enlighten his own
and succeeding generations, together
with the widespread and constantly-ex-
banding interest in Arctic explorations,
will add to the impotence with which
the publication of his discoveries and
newly-formed impressions is awaited.
The intrepid explorer gives the follow
ing particulars of his interesting voy-
age:
We sailed from Gothenburg, July
4, 1878, and four days sail brought us
to Tromsoe, where our outfit of furs
and necessaries for high ATTITUDES was
completed. Here we were joined by
the companion steamer, Lena. July 25
both vessels sailed from Tromsoe, and
passed through the Yugor strait Aug.
5. There was not particle of ice seen
between Waigatsch and the continent.
The Karaza, hitherto dreaded by all
sailors in Arctic regions, was equally
free from ice, and anchor was cast at
Port Dickson, near the mouth of the
Yenesee on Aug. 6. After three days
delay there the two steamers of our ex-
petition steered northeast, toward the
dreaded Taimur land and North cape.
Ice arrested our passage, and we were
compelled to remain at Tagoyr four
days. Aug. 10, Tzydekin, the extreme
northern port of Asia, was reached,
where short rest was taken. The
Vega coasted the peninsula, very little
ice being encountered, and anchored at
the mouth of the Lena river, Aug. 26.
To the northeastward were the islands
of New Siberia, which we soon sighted,
but were unable to explore because of
the great field of ice that girt their
shores. The mouth of Koiwya river, O
broad estuary, was found open, and we
fastened to make all possible progress
eastward. Our difficulties soon began,
however, and increased daily. We were
delayed much by ice between Cape Cook
andVan Karema. We crossed Kolintschin
bay on Sept. 81, with comparative ease,
but were imprisoned on the 28th near
the Tchuktchi settlement We win
tered in pack ice at this point, one mile
from land. The entire ships company
maintained the best of health and spir-
it's. Not a single case of scurvy oc-
Cured on board. During the shortest
day the sun was over the horizon less
upper limb was visible. At this point
much time was devoted to interesting
scientific and photographic studies.
There were 1000 inhabitants in the
several villages near by, who subsisted
by fishing and sealing. They are called
Tchuktchi, and are very agreeable
class of people for an explorer to meet.
They supplied the expedition with bear
and reindeer meat. The cold was in
tense, averaging 49, deg. below Fahren-
heit. The game was abundant in the
spring, wild fowl being taken in large
numbers. We were detained in ice at
| hut
on July Is, 1879, and passed East cape
into Behring straits on the Goth.
"Such is the story of our voyage. 1
fully accomplished the object for which
the expedition was sent out by DR..
Dickson, namely practical proof of the
existence of Northeast passage. Then
the Asiatic coast was followed and st.
Lawrence bay was crossed to Port Clar-
ence. Alaska. Thence we crossed to
Kovingan, dredging carefully in order
to determine the formation of the bottom
of the sea, many specimens of the fauna
and fora being obtained. The location,
breadth. velocity, and approximate vol
ume of the currents of the Arctic and
Pacific polar currents were charted and
calculated.
Having touched at st. Lawrence
island, we next proceeded to Behring
itland, where we received the first news
from Europe, through the resident agent
of the Alaska Trading Company. The
fossil remains on Behring island are of
immense variety. A new marine animal
was here discovered, which was named
rhytina stellari. The Vega left the
island on Aug. 10, and had pleasant
voyage until Aug. 81, when a severe
gale was encountered, accompanied
with lightning. During the storm the
lightning struck and shivered the main
topmast, slightly injuring several men,
We arrived off Yokohama at half-past 8,
Sept. 2. All are well, and no deaths
have occurred during the voyage. The
Vega is the first vessel to make the
passage, and / think the voyage from
Europe to Asia by Behring's strait is
certain and safe, with very little more
experience of navigation in the northern
seas. From Japan to the mouth of the
Lena river there are no difficulties in
the proper season for experienced sail
ors. The Lena river taps Central ST.