Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-09-12
The Swedish Arctic Exploration.
REPORT OF PROF. NoBDENsKJoLD-TH EXIST.
ENcE OF A NORTHEAST PASSAGE pEMoNsTRAr.

REPORT OF PROF. NoHDENsKIoLD-TH EXIST
ENcE OF A NORTHEAST PASSAGE DEMoNsTRAr-
I'D.
YOKOHAMA, Japan, Sept. e. The Swedish
exploring steamer Vega, belonging to the
Nordenskjold expedition, arrived at this port
on Tuesday evening, having successfully nc
complished the northeast passage. The health
of the ships company is excellent. Prof.
Nordenskjold says that during the latter part
Of February he sent letter to DIR. O. Dick
son of Gothenburg from the winter quarters
Of the Vega but has no intmation that his
patron has received it. The Professor says
1--WE sailed from Gothenburg July 1, 1878,
and four days sail brought US to 1romsoe
ia Norwegian port on an island Of the same
nance, where our outfit Of furs and necessa-
RIGS for the high ATTITUDES was completed
Here we were joined by steamer Lena July
18th both vessels sailed from Tromsoe and
passed through Yugor Strait (south of Nova
Zembla) on August .. There was not par
tcle Of ice TO be seen between Wnigatsch
lNaigatz Russian island and the continent.
The Kara Sea, hitherto dreaded by all sailors
IN the Arctic regions, was equally free from
ice, and anchor was cast at Port Dickson
near the mouth Of the Yenessi, August G. AZ
ter three days delay there the expedition
steered northeast toward the dreaded Taimur
Land and the North Cape. The ice arrested
our passage, and we were compelled to re-
main at IajoyT Cape Taimur) four days
August 10, Tsejdekin, the extreme northern
point of Asia, was reached, where n short rest
was taken. The Vega coasted the peninsula.
very little ice being encountered, and anchor
ed at the mouth Of Lena river August % To
the northeastward were the islands of New
Sibcrla, which We soon sighted, but were I'M
able to explore because Of the great field Of
Ice that girt their shores The mouth Of the
koleoya river latitude 90 so, longitude
lGl 80 broad estuary was found open
and We hastened to make all possible prog
ress eastward. Our difficulties soon began,
however, and increased daily. We were de.
btyed much by ice between Cape Cook and
Van knrema. We crossed Kolintsehm bay
sept 27th with comparative ease, but were
imprisoned on the 2Sth near a Chuktchi set
Element, latitude e. north, longitude Ia
- west 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 scuryy occurred
During the shortest day the sun was above
the horizon less than three hours, and then
only the upper limb was visible At this
point much time was devoted to interesting
scientific aud photographic studies. There
were 1000 inhabitants in several villages near
10y who suhseted by fishing and scaling
They are called the Tchukichi, and are IA very
good class Of people for an exploring party
to meet. They supplied the expedition with
bear and reindeer meat. The cold was in
tense averaging 30 Centgrado 81 two de
grces below Fahrenheit GRme was album
dant in the spring wild fowl being taken in
large numbers. We were detained in the ice
nj tins point 2Gl days, but were released on
July Is, and passed East Cape into Behring
Straits on the 10Th Such is the story of our
voyage.
fully accomplished the object for which
the expedition was sent out 10y DR.. Dickson.
namely practical proof of he existence OF a
northeast passage. Then the Asintic coast
was followed. and st Lawrence Bay WAS
crossed to Port Clarence, Alaska Thence
We crossed to Koniyan, dredging carefully in
order to determine the formation of the bot
tom OF the sta. many specimens of the Fauna
and Hora being obtained The location,
breadth, velocity and approximate volume of
the currents Of the Arctic and Pacific polar
currents were chArted and calculated HAY
ing touched at St Lawrence Island We next
proceeded TO Behriug Island. where W. re-
ceiVrd the first news from Europe through
the resident agent Of the Alaska trading com
pany. Fossil remains on BeLring Island are
VI IHluthae variety. a new marine animal
was here discovered, which We named Rhy-
tina Stellar. The Vega left the land August
-, and lad pleasant voyage until August
~, when severe gale was encountered ac-
companitd by lightning. During the storm
lightning struck and shattered the maintop-
mast, slightly injuring several men We ar
rived of Yokohama at half past eight on the
evening Of Sept 2 all are well and no deaths
have occurred during the voyage The Vega
Is the first vessel to make the passage. and
think the voyage from Europe to Asia by
Behrlng Strait is certain and safe with very
little more experience Of navigation in the
Northern seas 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 readily be developed
The Vega will remain ut Yokohama about
fourteen days. The entire crew Of the Swed-
iSh steamer A. f. Nordvnsk jold. sent to the
relief Of the Vega, which was lost of Yesso
August >, have arrived safely at a northern
japanese port