The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-04-14


The Loffodens are a cluster Of Islands
situated within the Artic circle on the
west coast of Norway, and though
searchers after the picturesque may here
find ample enjoyment in the peculiar
scenery of these northern latitudes, 1t
mustnot be thought that travellers simply
uDOu pleasure bent can have all the ac-
comodations to be found in more fash
ionable regions. On the voyage, by
steamer, from Trondhejm, the scenery
is not very striking. Ice-rounded cliffs
and rocks, however, abound. Having
passed within the Arctic circle the vOy-
ager soon finds himself in sight of grand
objects. The cliffs tower above him,
their peaks and serrated forms present.
ing a most attractive though wierd ap-
pearance, and when the steamer stretch
es across the ford towards the islands a
view is presented scarcely to be equalled
anywhere. The open sea stretches away
to the southwest, while to the north and
west sharp peaks rise almost perpendic-
uiarly from the waters edge. The
snow, wherever there is a ledge. remains
unmelted Oftimes till quite the middle
of summer. Approaching the islands.
miniature waterfalls are seen falling
down the rocks, while at the base of the
cliffs are seen a few huts or small fish
ing station, with here and there, in IA
yOrable circumstances, few patches of
grass. The LOffodens are the home of
numerous fiocks of waterfowl. Gulls of
various kinds and elder ducks abound to
such an extent that in passing through
some Of the narrow passages between
the islands. the steamer has to travel at
half speed to prevent a wholesale Edes-
tructiOn OF the young of these fowls.
Between two Of the islands IS situated
the dangerous whirlpool known as the
maelstrom, concerning which the most
extraordinary tales and legends are ex-
tant. The channels between the islands
are so narrow and rocky that the sea
rises and bOils in such a furious manner
that no boat could live, even for a single
minute in the furious vortex. In calm
weather, and for an hour before the
flood, it may be safe to cross the strait.
but woe betide the vOyagers whose boat
is caught in the tolls of the treacherOus
sea. 1t is asserted that whales, even of
the largest size, if once caught in the
swiTling waters, lose all power of escape
and meet a horrible death among the
rocks amid which the Maelstrom frets
and chafs. On one of the islands is seen
a very curious rock about nine hundred
feet high and which is perforated in the
middle by huge hole through which
InG SKY Is seen. II appears as II the
opening had been caused by the wearing
away of a soft vein or mass Of rock and
which has left the Orifice through the
harder material in which the softer was
imbedded. The dimensions of the OPEN
ing are-length, about six hundred feet
width, forty or sixty feet height; eigh-
ty or ninety feet. The entrance is some
one hundred feet above the sea-level.
Neal the rock where the arctic circle is
crossed is a cuTiOusly formed rock, hav-
ing much the appearance of q hOrsenan
and his steed swimming through the
water. To these islands many travel
ers resort at the proper time to see the
sun at midnight. This curious sight
usually makes a deep impression OuE all
who witness it, and when the sun really
begins to rise shortly after midnight. he
beauty is indescribable. The appearance
of a great range of the LOffOdens has
been compared TO the sd aw-like teeth Of
a giant shark, 50 numerous and jagged
are their peaks. Facing these noun
tains are islets. bays and lakes almost
without number It is in close proXim-
ity to the LOffOdens that the cod-lishing
is carried on tC its greatest extent .
From the middle of February to the
middle Of April some three thoUsa nd
boats and upwards of twenty thousand
men are incessaut.y employed, and this
/ branch of industry gives employment
and is the staple trade of all the towns
on the west coast OF Norway.