The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-09-25
The Northeastern Passage.

Prof. E. Ersler, distinguished Dam
ish geographer, published recently in
the columns OF the Copenhagen Dag
blddet most interesting article on the
attempts that have been made to force
the northeast passage. At this time,
when Prof. Nordensk jold has succeeded
in accomplishing the task in which so
many daring navigators have failed,
this historical survey will be read with
more than ordinary interest. 1t may be
remarked, however, that the writer
seems to have given no attention to the
share which several of the warriors of
Charles Kill, detained as prisoners of
war in Siberia, had in the geographical
discoveries in Arctic Europe and North
eastern Asia. Thus, for instance, be-
fore Behring had fully settled that Asia
and America are divided by open VIZ
ter, Heinrich Busch, a Swedish corporal,
and Ambjorn Molin, Swedish Lieuten-
ant, on their maritime excursions, had
proved the fact, and the memorable
map drawn by P. j. v. Strahlenberg
and j. A. Matern, which as early as
17l5 was laid before Peter the Great,
shows that these photographers were
convinced of the existence of q sound
between Asia and America
Many centuries ago efforts were made
to find as short q route as possible to
India, a country which, with its singu-
larly dazzling culture and wealth of
manifold precious objects. even in re-
mote antiquity, presented itself to the
people OF Europe in a fabulous radi-
ance and magical lustre. After the
discovery of America by Columbus, it
was sought, among other things, to
reach India by two northerly routes
namely, through the northwest passage,
or the route north of America, and the
northeast passage, or the route north of
Asia. Many attempts have been made to
discover the northwest passage, among
them the four expeditions which King
Christian w., of Denmark, fitted out,
the last of which was conducted by Capt.
Jens Munck, who spent the winter in
Hudson Sound, and of whose crew,
originally. of sixty-four persons, only
two besides the Captain returned.
About a lifetime back, the English final
ly succeeded in discovering the north
west passage, and the names of Frank
lin and Mcclure, among others, are in
dissolubly connected with the achieve
ment. The explorations OF. the north.
east passage also go far back in time.
Inc Sreat navigator oeDdStldu SaDOt
managed to interest the English King,
Edward VI, in this route, and English
merchants formed a company, which,
in 1858, fitted out three ships, bound to
navigate north of Asia to Japan and
China. .4.r rs-.r -
The first ship was commanded by
Hugh Willoughby, who was at the same
time Admiral of the squadron, and the
second by Richard Chancellor. Shortly
after their departure, however, the YES
sells separated and Willoughby came
with his own and the third vessel to the
river Arzina, on the Lapponian penin-
sula, which divides the White Sea from
the Arctic Ocean. Here during the win
ter he and all his men died. Chancel-
lor, however. entered the White Sea,
and hearing that the adjoining land be-
longed to the Czar, he went to Moscow,
where he was very amicably received.
and concluded treaty of commerce
between England and Russia. From
this period an extensive barter trade
sprang up between the English and the
people inhabiting the country along the
White Sea, so that WiIloughby's hap