Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-09-12
NORTHWEST PASSAGE.
The Swedish Arctic Expedition Proves
Its EXl>tence-Safe Return 81 Nor
densk iOld.

A telegram from Yokohama to the
New York Herald, dated Sept. 4.h, saws:
The Swedish exploring steamer Vega,
belonging to the Nordenskjold expedi-
ton, arrived at this port Tuesday even
ting. having successfully accomplished
the northeast passage. The health OF
the entire ships company is excellent
/ have just seen Prof. Nordenskiold
who says during the latter part of Feb
ruary he sent letter to DR.. o. Dickson.
of Gothenburg, from winter quarters OF
Vega, but has no ntmaton his patron
received it. The Professor says 1--WE
sailed from Gothenburg July 4, 1873.
and four days sail brought us to from.
soc, Norwegian port on the
Island of Linew, where our outfit O
furs and necessaries for high ATTITUDES
was completed. Here we were Joined
by the companion steamer Vega. Jlly
% both vessels sailed from Tromsoe,
and passed through Yugor Strait Aug. ).
/ There was not particle of ice to
be seen between Waigatsch and the
Continent. The Karaza, hitherto dread
ed by all sailors in Arctic regions, was
equally free from ice, and anchor was
cast at Port Dickson, near the mouth OF
the 1ienessi, Aug g. After three
days delay there the two steamers of
our expedition steered northeast to-
ward the dreaded Taimur land and
North Cape. Ice arrested our passage,
and we were compelled to remain at
Fajoyr four days. Aug. -, Tsejekin.
the extreme northern point of ASIA.
was reached, where a short rest was
A taLy Il 81,
very little ice being encountered, and
anchored at the mouth Of the Lena
River Aug. 26. To the northeastward
we could see the Islands of New Siberia.
but were unable TO explore because OF
the great field Of ice that grit their
shores. The mouth Of kolowya River,
a broad estuary, was found open, and
we FASTENED to make all possible pro-
gress eastward. Our difficulties soon
began to be heavier, and increased
daiiy. We were delayed much by ice
between Cape Cook and Van karema.
We crossed Kointsch Bay ON Aug. y
with comparative ease, but were i'm
prisoned on the 2Sth near Tchuktcht
settlement We wintered in pack ice
at this point, one mile from land. The
entire ships company maintained the
best of health and spirits. Not single
case Of scurvey occurred on board.
During the shortest day the sun was
above TIE 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
1000 inhabitants in the several villages
near by, who subsisted by fishing and
sealing. They are called Tchuktchi,
and are very agreeable class OF
people for an exploring party to
meet. They supplied the expo
ditlon with bear and reindeer
meats. The cold was intense, ayerag-
ing 80 . 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 the East Cape into Rehring
Straits on the 20tn. Such is the story
of our voyage. / fully accomplished
the object for which the expedition was
sent out by DR.. Dickson, namely:
practical proof of the existence of
northeast passage. Then the Asiaiic
coast was followed, and st. Lawrence
Bay was crossed to Port Clarelce.
Alaska. Then we crossed to kanyan,
dredging carefully in order to deter
mine the formation Of the bottom of
the sea, many specimens Of the fauna
and flora being obtained. The loca-
ton, breadth, velocity, and approx
mate volume of the currents of the
Arctic and Pacific polar currents were
chartered and calculated.
Having touched at St. Lawrence Is
land, we next proceeded to Behring Is
land, where we received the first news
from Europe through the resident
agent of the Alaska Trading Company.
The fossil remains on Behring Island
are OF immense variety. A new marine
animal was here discovered, which was
named Rhytina Stelar. The Vega
left the island on Aug. 10, and had a
pleasant voyage until Aug 81, when a
severe gale was encountered, accom-
panied with lightning. During the
storm the lightning struck and shver-
ed the main topmast, slightly injuring
several men.
We arrived off Yokohama at half.
past s, Sept. 81. All are well, and no
deaths have occurred during the voy-
age. The Vega is the first vessel to
make the passage, and l think the voy-
age from Europe to Asia by Behrlng
strait, is certain and safe, with very
little more experience of navigation ID
the northern seas, than from Japan to
the mouth of the Lena River. There
are no difficulties in the proper season
for experienced sailors.
The Lena River taps Central Siberia,
and large prospective trade can readl-
~ be developed.
The Vega will remain at Yokohama
about fourteen days.
Death i'm n Red Elnp