The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-01-23
THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE.
Professor NordenssjoId's expedition
New Discoveries.


ice above East cape at Behring's strait |
is the Vega of Professor Nordenskjold's
polar expedition, it may be said that the
Swedish navigator has practically dis
covered the northeast passage from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, Describing the
voyage round the North cape Of Asia,
feat never before accomplished by any
vessel, Lieutenant Hovgaard, of Nor
denskjold's staff, wrote in August last, at
the mouth of the river Lena:
We left Dicksonport, at the mouth OF
the Yenisei, on the 10th of August, and
ned not got far before we perceived the
charts to be entirely wrong, for the coast
is in reality far more to the west than
hitherto supposed. The fine weather
with which we were at first favored now
gave way TO a dense and continuous fog.
In spite OF the elements We pushed on
ward, and on the 18th passed Cape Ster-
legof, the fsrthest point yet reached by
any vessel. We constantly perceived
small islands not given on the map. On
Mondsy, the 18th of August, we encoun~
tered ice, but not in such quantity as to
demand special attention. In the after
noon the ice began TO thicken and grad
ual'y to surround Us, so that we were
quite unable to break through the con
ia 1870, NVo ;por.oso6 Cur uteoy
power and dashed with full force against
the heavy blocks, in order to make way
not only tor ourselves; but also for the
Lena, cur smaller companion, whose iron
sides are less able TO Withstand as much
as the twenty-three inch oak planks OF
the Vega. After while, when all efforts
failed, we had to abandon our attempts
at breaking through at this point. Even
ing neared before an outlet wss discov-
cred, through which we escaped toward
the east.
A wonderful panorama spread around
us. To the south lay the Taimur land,
glittering fiery red in the rays OF the
midnight sun, appearing, by refraction,
high above the northern horizon, while
the ice rejecting in the air assumed fam
tastic forms. Upon the CLASSY surface OF
the sea the two steamers glided smoothly
onward, passing many title tlords with
ice fringed coasts. An unfortunate bear
incautious enough to swim too near the
Lena, hsd 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 ma
neuveripg between the drifting ice, when
all at once, at d distance of barely 800
wards we sighted land. OF course we
anchored and waited for clear weather,
which finally ensued about three in the
afternoon, only to be soon replaced by
fog and ice. Still, as best we could,
we held eastward until favorable
opportunity Tor anchoring presented IT.
SELF in the shape Of a small bay in the
sound. situated between Taimur Island
! I
and the continent. This haven was
named by us Ac,inia Port, from the
masses of a sort of polypus we saw in the
: water. On the 18th of August We were
r at last released from our compulsory rest
, bv a change of weather driving away
9 the surrounding ice. Continually ent
veloped in thick mist, we steered toward
p Cheliuskin, first noticed by us the sue
e ceeding day. Without really seeing the
r land itself, but only following its icy
n outlines, we, at the approach of night
=. arrived at the little bay situated to the
h west of the northern extremity OF Asia
and bearing the name OF its first discov
erer, the Russian mate Cheljuskin, whC
reached it by land in 1749. Who cal
r describe tbs feelings of triumphant JOY
2 with which we at last drew near the long
e sought goal?
0 With all the flags waving and greeting
t the time honored northern point Of thu
: old world with five salutes, the Veg;
Y steamed proudly into the harbor, Will
4 the sun, as if to give additional luster t.
the festive occasion, dispelled the clouds
a showing a range OF high, snow-coveFeC
"a hills, in the background. From the to-
of large promontory bear stared in
% ouiringly at his unexpected guests, bu
after receiving a few shots deemed i
# nrudent to retire to the shelter of tn
n hills. Continuing our observations tn
l. next day we erected cairn, in whic
le we deposited a document telling OF on
re- expedition and future plans. At ! I
m m. on the 10Th of August we weighe
n ancher and steered eastward. Ate
n battling amid fog and ice, we attaint
" the narrow coast of the Taimur PENN
: sula. and had then the luck 10 NEE
" almost open water. The coast is abou
fltv Eoglish miles more to the we'
70 than noted down in the chart. On Ii
i 18th we anchored near q bay. We mao
ot 6nsl observations and sailed onw8r,
mp We are now in the mouth Of the Len
j. where we put company with our Len
s. who carries the mail to LAkutsk, b;
ID destination. she viii remain there unit
.e next yesr, when she will return
We Europe. We, continuing our course
ne the Vega. hore' ina lew months to ha
sd japan and successfully accomplish Il
~ long.aesired and hoped-for discover