The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-11-26
LABRADOR ICEBERGS.
Gorgeous Specimens OF Dame
lures Handiwork.
a,..yndors of the Frozen Deep as viewed
Ia the summer Seas OF the
rar North-Graphie
Pictures.


Pictures.
"From Battle llarbor for one hum
tlrcd miles north the coast Is nearly
straight aud the sea is deep close under
the high cliffs. Here we found one
magnificent procession OF icebcrgs from
the northcrnnhorizon," saws writer in
the New York sun, where they APP
pcared merely rs glittering white
Npccks, 10 where they disappeared in
the south. Frequently these bcrgs are
nj such regular distance from each
other that they present the appearance
OF great line of battlc-ships drawn up
for action. From the open ocean some
of these bcrgs are carried 10y the tidal
currents into the narrow passages be-
tween the islands, where they become
finally stranded. When the bcrgs break
of from the parent glaciers in Green
land they have a more or less rectangu-
lar outline, and if, while they continue
floating in the open sea, any consider
able part is broken off or melts away,
hey rotate and assume another position
# staple equilibrium. But when they
are once stranded they are held fast,
and are seulptured 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 ice
bergs appear can such fantastic forms
be witnessed as we beheld on this por-
ton of the coast of Labrador Occasion
ally a berg is carried in by a tidal cur
rent until the existence of salt water
would hardly be imagined except for
the white towering spire of such a mass
of ice.
AT one such sheltered haven, proper
~ 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 pyra-
mid of ice one hundred and fifty feet
high. The base was one grand arch,
and as we approached near to it we
found the melting ice pouring over the
archway a curtain of falling rain. From
another portion of this same submerged
platform rose an obelisk of ice higher
than the Egyptian obelislz in Central
park. The ship steamed very near it in
order that we might get series of pho
tographs of this remarkable berg. A
short distance further north a fellow
voyager who came all the way from
England to study these natural won
ders, called out to me to come forward
and see a cathedral in crystal Such
indeed it was. We estimated its length
to he quarter of mile. The Catholic
cathedral on Fifth avenue is located on a
block about four hundred feet in length.
If one will imagine this extended to be-
come one-quarter of mile he will have
faithful picture of the view then be-
fore us. First rose two spires to a
height of at least two hundred feet.
Then came the body of the structure,
and grand rounded dome, surmounted
by another spire and series of square
building-like masses, which my Episco-
pal friend explained was the deanerv.
AS we steamed by the high spires took
on change of form and assumed ex-
actly the outline of an immense statue
OF the Virgin Mary, with the hands ex-
tended as If comforting blessing on
those who were passing by. In com
parlson with this our own statue of
Liberty Enlightening the World was
OF very moderate dimensions. 1t would
well have repaid any lover of the won
dcrful in nature to make the entire
journey to witness these two bergs.
The surface of these bergs melts so
rapidly that they almost appear as if
coated with oil, and hence are perfect
mirrors for any light in the sky. 1t is
a common experience to all people to
have been surprised at sunset bv n
bright flash of flame from neighbor-
ing hill or mountain. We all know it
to be only the reflection of the settinr
sun from the small window of some
building. In the northern chimes. where
the days are long, the twilight not only
fingers, but stretches itself for many
degrees along either side of the setting
sun.
we 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 apnle-
green hue where it rose over the sub
merged platform of the ice, and broke
in line of white foam against the
sides OF the white berg. In moment
more the ship had reached the right
position for the great mass of ice to be-
come mirror, and instantly the berg
reflected all the colors of the setting
sun, and became glowing ruby of
mountain size. Such an effect / have
never seen in any of the arctic paint
lngs which l have been privileged to
study.
ION our return through these intri-
cate passages the winding lanes of
water were lighted up with the full
moon that made broad band of silver
over The quiet sea. Suddenly out
o1 The surrounding darkness there
came bright light. Bishop Williams.
oI quebec, who sat beside me, said:
mere is a lighthouse on this shore,
replied: We are far from anv s,,cb in.
lication OF commercial progress; we
must be viewing some other remnrlsoble
phenomenal The next moment we
recognized the light we saw as the clit.
-ering spire of an iceberg ILLUMINATED
BY the full moon, while the rest of the
ce was hidden in the mysterious dark.
ness below"