The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-09-18
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particle


-assian island) and the
continent. The Kara Sea, hitherto
dreaded by all sailors in the Arctic re-
gions. was equally free from ice, and
anchor was cast at Port Dixon, near
the mouth of the Yenisei, on
August 6.
.sAfter three days delay there, the
two steamers of our expedition steered
northeast toward the dreaded Taimur-
land and North Cape. The ice arrested
our passage and we were compelled to
remain at Taioyr (Cape Taimur) four
days. On August 10, Tsejdekin, the
extreme northern point of Asia was
reached, where short rest was taken.
The Vega coasted the peninsula, very
little ice being encountered, and an
chored at the mouth of the Lena River
on August rs. To the northeastward
were the islands of New Siberia, which
we soon sighted, but were not able to
explore because Of the great fields of leo
that girt their shores. The mouth of
the Kolwya River Qat. 60 deg, 80
min. long. 16f deg, 80 min. }, broad
estuary, was found open. and we hast
ened to make all possible progress east
ward.
"Our difficulties soon began, how
ever, and increased daily. We were
delayed much by the ice between Cape
Cook and Vankarema. We crossed
Kalintzhm Bay on Sept. ~ with COM
parative ease, but were imprisoned on
the 28th near Tshutcchi settlement
Qat. 81 deg. Z min. north; long. III
deg. "a min. west.)
1--WE wintered in the pack-ice at this
point. one mile from land. The entire
ships company maintained the best of
health and spirits. Not a single case
of scurvy occurred on board. During
the shortest day the sun was above the
horizon less than three hours, and then
only the upper limb was visible. At
this point much time was devoted to
interesting scientific and photographic
studies.
"There were four thousand in
habitsnts in the several villages near
by, who subsisted by fishing and seal
ing. They are called the Tchuetchi,
and are very agreeable class of peo-
pie for an exploring party to meet.
They supplied the expedition with bear
and reindeer meat: The cold was in
tense, averaging SO centigrades 1922
degrees below Fahrenheit). The game
was abundant in the spring, wild fowl
being taken in large numbers. We
were detained in the ice at this point
264 days, but were released on July
Is, and passed East Cape into Behring
Strait on the Goth. Such is the story
of our voyage.
81 fully accomplished the object for
which the expedition was sent out by
DR.. Dickson, namely, practical proof
of the existence Of a Northeast pass
age. Then the Asiatic coast was fol-
lowed, and St. Lawrence Bay was
crossed to Port Clarence, Alaska.
Thence we crossed to Koniyan, dredg-
ing carefully in order to determine the
formation of the bottom of the sea,
many specimens of the fauna and flora
being obtained. The location, breadth,
velocity and approximate volume of
the currents of the Arctic and Pacific
rolar currents were charted and cal
culated. Having touched at St. Law
renee Island, we next proceeded to
Behring Island, where we received the
first news from Europe through the
Resident Agent Of the Alaska Trading
Company.
1.-The fossil remains on Behring
Island are of immense variety. A new
marine animal was here discovered,
which we named Rhytina Stellari. The
Vega left the island On August 10, and
had a pleasant voyage until August
81, when severe gale was encoun-
tered, accompanied with lightning.
During the storm, the lightning struck
and shivered the main-topmast, slightly
injuripg several men. We arrived Off
Yokohama at half.past eight on the
evening of September 2. All are well,
and no deaths have occurred during
the voyage.
"The Vega is the first vessel to make
the passage, aud think the voyage
from Europe to Asia by Behring Straits
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 ex-
perienced sailors. The Lena River
taps Central Siberia. and large pros
pective trade can be readily developed.
The Vega will remain at Yokohama
about fourteen days."