Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-25
A Northeast Passage.

4 The long and ardently expected re.
. ,orts of Prof. NOrdenskjold's success
mi voyage from the Yenisei around the
North Cape of Asia to the Lena-a feat
never before accomplished by any
vessel-have now come to hand, fully
confirming the telegraphic news of his
safe arrival at the Lena, received on
the 18th Of October. We extract from
n letter dated, "Off the Lena, August
Of" and written by Lieutenant How.
gard, a naval officer of Nordensjoid 8
staff, the following interesting particu.
lars -
eve left Dickson Port on the 10th OF
August, and had not gone far before we
perceived the charts to be entirely
wrong, for the coast is in reality far
more to the west than hitherto sup
posed. The fine weather with which
we were at first favored now gave way
to q dense and continuous fog. In
spite OF the elements we pushed on
ward, and on the 18th passed Cape
Sterlegoff, the furthest point yet
reached by any vessel. We constantly
perceived small islands, not given on
the map On Monday, the 18th OF
August, We encountered ice, but not in
such quantity as to demand special at
tention. In the afternoon the ice be.
gan to thicken and gradually surround
us, SO that we were quite unable to
break through the CONCEALED masses.
We increased our steam power, and
dashed with full force against the
heavy blocks, in order to make way not
only for ourselves, but also for the
Lena, our smaller companion, whose
iron sides are less able to withstand as
much as the twenty three-inch oak
eAIanks Of the Vega. After while,
Ihen all efforts failed, we had to aban.
don our attempts at breaking through
at this point. Evening neared before
an outlet was discovered, through
which we escaped toward the east.
"a wonderful panorama spread
around us. To the south lay the
Taimur land, glittering fiery red i'll the
rays of the midnight sun, appearing by
refraction. high above the northern ho-
rizon, while the ice, rejecting IN the
air, assumed fantastic forms. Upon the
CLASSY surface of the sea the two steam
ers glided smoothly onward, passing
many little fjords, with ice fringed
coasts. An unfortunate bear, incau-
tious enough to swim too near the Lee
ma, had to atone with his life for his
temerity. This Arctic splendor was
not of long duration the next day We
were again obliged to resume our usual
mannuvering between the drifting ice,
when all at once, at O distance OF bare
ly 500 yards, we sighted land. OF
course we anchored and waited for
clear weather, which finally ensued,
about three in the afternoon, only to be
soon re placed by Jog and ice. Still, as
best We could, we held eastward until a
favorable opportunity for anchoring
presented itself in the shape of a small
bay in the sound, situated between
Taimur Island and the continent.
This haven was named by us Actinia
Port, from the masses of sort OF pol
ypus we saw in the water. On the 18th
Of August we were at last released from
90 compulsory rest by change of
sther, driving away the surrounding
ice. Continually enveloped in thick
mist, we steered toward Cheljuskin,
first noticed by ms the succeeding day.
Without really seeing the land itself,
but only following its 10y outlines. we,
at the approach of night, arrived at the
little bay, situated to the west of the
northern extremity of Asia, and bear
ing the name of its first discoverer, the
Russian mate Cheljuskin, who reached
it by land in 1149. Who can describe
the feelings of triumphant JOY with
which we at last drew near the long
sought goal
With all flags waving, and greeting
the time-honored northern point of the
Old World with five salutes, tho Vega
steamed proudly into the harbor, while
the sun, as if to give additional lustre
to the festive occasion, dispelled the
clou's, showing range of high, snow
covered hills in the background.
From the top of large promontory a
bear stared enquiringly at his unex-
pected guests, but after receiving few
shots, deemed it prudent to retire to
the shelter of the hills. Continuing
our observations the next day, we
erected q cairn, in which we deposited
document telling of our expedition
and future plans. At p. NJ, on the
2Oth OF August, we weighed anchor and
steered eastward. After battling amid
fog and ice, we attained the narrow
coast of the Taimur peninsula, and had
then the luck to meet almost open wa
ter. The coast is about fifty English
miles more to the west than noted
down on the chart. On the 25th we
anchored near small island in the
entrance of the Chatanga Bay. We
made final observations and sailed on.
Nsd. We are now in the mouth of the
80. where we part company with
.on Lena, who carries the mail to
Yakutsk, her destination. She is to
remain there until next year, when she
will return to Europe. We, oontinu-
ing our course in the vega, hope, in q
lew months, to hail Japan, and success
fully accomplish the long desired and
hoped-for discovery of the northern
passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific
VVcean.-CaJlegram from Berlin 10 the
N. 7. Herald.