The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-01-24
THE NoRTH-EAsT PASSAGE

below the bridge and perIshed.
THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE.
Proressor NordessEJ@as expedition
New Dise-vefdex.
Chicago Intersese
If the vessel reported blocked in the
ice above East cape at Behring's strait
is the Vega OF Pfofessor Nordensk jold's
polar expedition, ii 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 Norih cape of Asia, a
feat never before accomplished by any
vessel, Lieutensnt Hoysaard, oI Nor
uenss J9su 2 osan, Fosras ugust Iasr, as
the mouth OF the fsveS I .sa..-.-s
We left Dicksonpoet, at the mouth of
the Yenisei, on the 18th of August, and
hsd 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 dense and continuous fog.
In spite of the elements we pushed on
ward, and on the 18th passed Cape Ster-
legof, the farthest point yet reached by
any vessel. We constantly perceived
small islands not given on the map. On
Monday, 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
ually to surround Us, 50 that we were
quite unable to break through the con
gealed 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 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 was 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 glassy surface OF
the sea the two steamers glided smoothly
onward, passins--ssny itte iords with
ice -fringed coz NIkeAn unfortunate bear
incsutious enz Nswim too near the
Lena had - bis life for his
temerIVy. ~endor was not
of long duray next day we were
again obliged sumo our usual ma
neuveriDg betw0>-----ee drifting ice, when
all at once, at distance of barely 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 replaced by
fog and ice. Still, as best we could
we held eastward until a favorable
opportunity for anchoring presented it
self in the shape OF a small bay in the
sound. situated between Taimur Island
and the continent. This haven wa'
named by us Actinia Port, from the
masses of sort OF polypus we saw in the
water. On the 18th of August we were
at last released from our compulsory resi-
by a change of weather driving away
the surrounding ice. Continually en-
veloped in thick mist, we steered towarc
Cheljuskin, first noticed by us the sue
ceeding day. Without really seeing the
land itself, but only following its icy
outlines, we, at the approach of night
arrived at the little bay situated to the
west of the northern extremity OF Asia
and bearing the name OF its first discov
erer, the Russian mate Cheljuskin, wht
reached it by land in 1749. Who cal
describe the feelings of triumphant JOY
with which we at last drew near the long
sought goal2
With all the flags waving and greeting
the time-honored northern point OF tn
old world with FIVE salutes, the Veg
steamed proudly into the harbor, whll'
the sun, as if to give additional luster T
the festive occasion, dispelled the clouds
showing range OF high, snow-covere'
hills, in the background. From the to-
of a large promontory bear stared II
auiriugly at his unexpected guests, bu
after receiving few shots deemed
( prudent to retire to the saelter of til
hills. Continuing our observations tb
next day we erected cairn, in whic
we deposited a document telling of ou
expedition and future plans. At |
III. on the 2Oth of August we weighe
anchsr and steered eastward. Afte
battling amid fog and ice, we sttaine
, the narrow coast of the Taimur penir
sula and had then the luck to met
, almost open water. The coast is abou
fifty English miles more to the we'
, than noted down in the chart. On th
25th we anchored near a bay. We mad
9 final observations and sailed onward
. We are now in the mouth OF the Lem
i, where we part company with our Leni
, who carries the mail to Lakutsk, h'
; destination. She will remain there unit
next wear, when she will return
Europe. We, continuing our course
, the Vega, hope in few months to ba
, Japan and successfully accomplish tt
! long. desired and hoped-for discover
of the northern passage from the Atlant
:. to the Pacific Ocean
e In an article on the first page el
r titled "WalkiDg in New jersey" will