The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-12-25
IcRBERGs OF LABRADOR.
Size OF Some of Them Contrasted with
the LARGEST Anner.ican CathedralS.

the Largest American CathedraiS.
Professor Albert s. Bickmore, of the
Museum Of Natural History, is in the
habit of spending his summers in gath
ering material for his autumn and spring
lectures. The present summer he spent
in Newfoundland and Labrador, whittier
he Went for the three-fold purpose Of
studying the great cod fishery, the ice
bergS and the ESquimauX. lie returned
Oh Saturday last and in speaking of his
trip Professor Bickmore thus spoke Of
the iceDergS:
a"From Battle Harbor, for 100 miles
norm, Inc coast is nearly straight, and the
sea IS deep close under the cliffs. Here
we found one magnificent procession OF
icebergs, from the northern horizon,
where they appeared merely as glitterlng
white specks, 10 where they disappeared
in the south. Frequently these bergs are
at such regular distances from each other
that they present the appearance Of q
great line OF battle-Ships drawn up for
action. From the open ocean some of
these bergs are carried by the tidal cur
rents into the narrow passages between
the islands, whore they become finally
stranded. When the bergs break OFF
from the parent glacierH III Greenland
they have more or less rectangular out
line, and ii, while they continue floating
III the open sea- any considerable part IS
broken OIL or meits away, they rotate and
assume another position Of stable equi-
librium. But wnen they are once
stranded they are held fast. and are
sculptured by the sea waves and the hot
air of summer. | believe, therefore, that
on no other part Of the coasts OF all the
wide seas, where iCebcrgs appear, can
such fantastic forms be witnessed as we
bcheid on this portion of the coast Of
Labrador. Occasionally q berg is carried
in by tidal current until the existence
Of salt water would hardly be imagined
except for the white towering Spire Of
such mass OF ice.
AT one such sheltered haven, properly
called Snug Harbor,' we witnessed one
OF these remarkable forms. The sea had
planned away the upper portion of the
berg so that the ice was covered with sea-
water three or four feet in depth, which
assumed in the clear light hue of rich
emerald green. From this submerged
platform arose a pyramid of ice $50 ieet
high. The base was one grand arch, and
as we approached near to it we found the
melting ice pouring over the archway
curtain OF falling rain. From another
portion OF this same submerged platform
rose an Cbelisk OF ice higher than the
Egyptian obelisk in Central Park. The
ship steamed very near 1t in order that
we might get q series Of photographs Of
this remarkable berg. A shore distance
came all the way from England to study
these natural wonders, called out to me
to come forward and see cathedral in
crystal Such. indeed, it was. We esti-
mated its length to be a quarter of n mile.
The fine Catholic Cathedral on Fifth ave-
nue. is located on block about 400 feet in
length. If one will imagine this eX-
tended TO become one-quarter of mile,
he will have q faithful picture Of the view
then before us. First rose two spires to a
hight Of at least 200 feet. Then came the
body Of the structure, and q grand
rounded dome, surmounted by another
spire and a series of square, buiiding-like
masses, which my Episcopal friend eX
claimed was the deanery. AS we steamed
by the high spires took on a change of
form, and assumed exactly the outline of
an immense statue of the Virgin Mary,
with the hands extended as if comforting
a blessing on those who were passing by.
In comparison with this, our own statue
of Liberty Enlightening the World was
of very moderate dimensions. 1t would
well have repaid any lover Of the wonder
full in nature to make the entire journey
to witness these two bergs.
The surface of these bergS melt so
rapidly that they almost appear as if
coated with oil, and hence are perfect
mirrors for any light in the sky. 1t is
common experience to all people to have
offiame from a neigboring hill or mount
ain. We know it to be only the retlec-
ton of the setting sun from the small
window Of some building. In the north
ern climes, where the days are long, the
twilight not only fingers, but stretches
itself for many degrees along either side
of the setting sun.
I'VE were courSing to the north, and
would soon pass huge berg. The water
around us was SO dark as to be nearly
black. 1t became OF an apple-green hue
where ii rose over the submerged plat
form Of the ice, and broke in line of
white foam against the sides Of the white
berg. In a moment more the ship reached
the right position for the great mass of
ice 10 become mirror, and instantly the
berg reflected all the colors of the setting
sun, and became a glowing ruby Of
mountain size. Such an effect [ have
never seen in any of the Arctic paintings
which | have been privileged TO study.
son our return through these intricate
passages the winding lanes Of water were
lighted up with the full moon, that made
q broad band of silver over the quiet sea.
Suddenly out of the surrounding dark
ness there came bright light. Bishop
Williams of Quebec, who sat beside me,
said: There is lighthouse on the
shore I replied: we are far from any
such indication Of commercial progress;
we must be viewing some other remark
able phenomena, The next moment we
recognized the light we saw as the gilt
tering spire of an iceberg Illuminated by
the full moon, while the rest of the ice
was hidden in the mysterious darkness
below"