Sharp County record., 1879-02-13
Communicating the North Pole.


While the scientific adventures OF
Great Britain, Germany, and the United
States have persistently and unSuccess-
fnlly endeavored for many years to tiud
q northwestern" passage, an enter
prising Swede has succeeded with COM
paratively little trouble in discovering a
Il Northeastern" route, by which he has
already penetrated from Norway, along
tbe coast Of Lapland, through the strait
south to Nova Zembla, across the Kara
Sea, along the northern coast OF Russia,
past the north cape of Asia, and into the
River Lena, up which the excedition
went TO Yakutsk, where they were heard
from August q last, and from which
they expected to sail for Behring's
Straits. The navigator who has made
himself famous by this unprecedented
performance is Prof. Nordenskjold, a
learned man, who has devoted much
time to a study of the Arctic problem,
and who was led to give special atten-
tion to the stories and log-books
of Norwegian whale and seal
hunters, who frequently penetrated as
far as the Kara Sea. The Professor
found patron in an intelligent mer-
chant of Gotcburg, Mr., Oscar Dickson,
who furnished the means necessary for
the experimental voyages. The first at
tempt was begun in June, 1875, in a
small vessel. The trip from the north
cape of Europe to Nova Zembla was
made in six days, and after sone time
spent in explorations, the Kara Sea was
crossed and the Yenisei River was
reached Aug. 15. The Professor here
left with detachment and went up the
river into Siberia, while the remainder
of the party returned to Norway in only
ten days. The journey attracted great
attention-especially in Russia, where
Nordenskiold was looked upon as a
benefactor who had demonstrated new
route for commerce. Greatly encour-
aged, the Professor returned home and
prepared for a new expedition the fol-
lowing year He chartered a small
steamer, started for Hammerfest July
%, and in three days was at Nova Zem-
bla. One day later he entered the Kara
Sea, his steamer being "the first that ever
burst upon that silent sea'--an there
was no explosion in this case. Here he
found drifting ice, but was not discour-
aged. He slowly pushed his way on
until August 10, when he reached the
Yenisei once more. Here he disposed
of his cargo, took a new one on board,
and in seven weeks from starting was
again at Hammerfest. He now became
convinced that it was possible to find a
navigable passage between the 1eniSei
and Cape Tcheliuskin, the north cape
of Asia. His theory was that the vast
amount of fresh water pouring into the
Arctic Ocean from the Rivers Obi, Irlich,
and Yenisei effects a gradual thawing OF
the ice along the coast by which a chan
mel is formed deep enough for large
vessels. The Professor then set to work
for more extended voyage. His sue
cess brought him new patrons, and
King Oscar of Sweden came to his as
sistance. Four steamers werC chartered
and equipped, and on the 25th OF July
last the new expedition left the Nor
wegian coast. The Kara Sea was enter
ed Aug. /, and in six xdays more the fleet
was at the mouth of the Yenisei. On
the 9th of August, two of the steamers
left for the northeast. Nothing more
was heard of the adventurers for two
months, when q telegraph message
reached Moscow merchant, who was
interested in the expedition, announc-
ing that the vessels had reached Yak
utsk, in Eastern Siberia, on the Lena
River, having safely passed Cape Tche-
liuskin, and reached the mouth Of the
Lena Aug. q. From this point the par
ty expected to proceed to Behring's
Straits, and were confident of success,
as they believed the most difficult part
of the journey was already accomplish
ed. Altogether this is the most impor.
tant and successful exploring voyage OF
modern years, and has accomplished
enough to make its navigator famous,
whether it succeeds in reaching the Pa
cifc Ocean or not. A glance at the
map will show that the greater part OF
the work has been performed, and with
apparent ease-HwBord CCa~Gnt.