National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-03
THE LOST EZRA.
Another Vessel Probably Lost In the Arc.
tie Ocean.

Scarcely had the fate of tho Jeanette become
known when the world began to feel anxious
about another vessel In the Polar regions, from
which nothing has been heard for months. The
Ella, Leigh Smith in command, started from
Pclcrhead for Franz Joseph Land last June, and
since July nothing has been heard from or Of
her. A search expedition has been contemplated
for some weeks and Mt meeting OF the Royal
Geographical Society last Monday Lord Aber-
dare the president, stated that two associates Of
tho society, Colonel Grant and Sir Henry Gore
Booth, were about TO undertake voyage to the
edge of the ice in n small vessel named the Kara,
now fitting out at London, to ad in the
SEARCH FOR THE EZRA.
IL Is also announced that Oscar Dickson has sent
q circular to the magistrates Of Tromsoc, Ham
mcrfe.t, and Vardoc Offering reward of E222 to
whoever first brings assistance to Leigh Smith;
ElGS to whoever forwards report in writing of
tile crew of the Era Of later date than Novcm-
Der l. ISL and E55 for the hrSt inlOrmation by
the Era's crew. or for letters from them of later
day than November. Leigh Smith was not
novice in Arctic nayigatiOni
HIS FIRST VOYAGE WAS MADE
to the Arctic regions in 1871 In the yacht Sampson.
His object then was to reach the highest possible
latitude, and u explore the unknown lands to the
eastward of SpitZbcgCn, Duing this expedition
he discovered the eastward prolOngation Of North
East Land, and reached latitude SO ~ nortl In
1877 he made second voyage in the new yacht
and made no progress. In 1873 he made another
voyage in the Diana, in the course of which he
RENDERED GREAT SERVICE
to the Swedish expedition, supplying them with
with the order of the Pole star by tho King of
Sweden. The most important and successful of
Mr. smiths Arctic voyages was made IN 1850, in
the Ezra, then u new steam yacht of 800 tons bur
den, built expressly for Arctic service. Tho Ezra
rounded the south point OF SpSbGrgen by July 81,
and Mr. Smith determined 10 Gross The ice. .liden
son nj Franz hn1
been
Discovered BY THE
AUSTRIAN expedition of Payer and Wnybrecht
The Ezra reached Franz Joseph's Land August a.
and proved that Mt lcnst i'll some summers the
route is easily navigabe Tie results of the voyage
were Of great scientific value, and II was demon
srated that much might be done for Arctic dis
| cOvery In n single summer season. Mr. Smith
aud his twenty four companions started on theiI
| last expedition from Pctcrhcad in June, 1884,
THE ARCTIC SEASON OF 1881
was very different from that of 1880 and II sprob-
| able that the Eira was inclosed by the ice, and
possibly suffered the fate of the Jeanette. Even
Il she was not crushed by the ice, Mr.. Smith and
his companions, II alive, will, in order to effect
their escape, be compelled to desert her long be.
| foro the sea would open to afford her release
| They had with them provisions sufficient TO last
ouly until August next, and they would hardly
dare run the risk of having to spend another WIN
ter in the Arctic regions 1t is probable that the
| Ezra
HAS ALREADY BEEN ABANDONED
and that the party have started ON the tedious and
| intiguing journey TO the open sea. How tedious
| and at guing such journey in the Arctic regions
| have experienced II. The Jeannette survivors fol
| weeks advanced only at the rate of u mile day
| while the Austrian expedition OF Wayprecht and
| Payer found that after two months OF such labol
| they were hut two miles from their deserted ship
| the wind having blown them back. 1t Is to bI
| hoped that Leigh Smith md his company may b'
| more fortunate, ana that they will be enabled L
| make their way in safety To some settlement anC
| receive the care they Will doubtless need-CinciH
| natl Times Star.