Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-01-21
AN UNKNOWN LAND.
A Solitary Explorers Work In
Novaya 2emlia.
His Discovery of Three Now Islands and
Many Other Things of Value to
the Scientific and Com
merclal Worlds.

An interesting man has for three
years been studying the geography and
physical condition of one of the bleak
est parts of the world. His name is K.
Nossilof, and he was first heard of in
1855 after he had spent year studying
the twin islands of Novaya Zemlia,
north of the European mainland. He
said he intended to devote five years to
Novaya Zcmlia, and he has now COM
pleted three years of investigation
This persevering young Russian has re-
turned every year to Archangel, on the
northern coast of Europe, with valu-
able botanical, mineral and geological
specimens. He has carried on his work
with only one or two assistants, and
they have passed at least one dark
winter in that bleak land. Only twice
before have white explorers wintered
in Novaya Zcmlia. The first occasion
was when the famous Dutch explorer,
Willem Barents, rounded the northern
part of Novaya Zemlia and with his
little party spent the long winter night
of 159G-'07 amid much hardship and dis
comfort on the northeast coast. The
second occasion was not many years
ago " hen some Norwegians attached to
an exploring party were so enamored
of the life they led among the natives,
who had temporary home on the twin
islands, that they remained behind
when their comrades returned to civili-
cation, and their friends saw no more
of them for year or two until they
grew weary of their isolation.
Nossilof, in the spring of 1889, re-
ported the discovery of four coal fields
and deposits of irqh, copper, gold and
sulphur, which he said would pay for
the working. He also collected great
deal of information regarding the ami
NAL life of the island, kept careful
record of the meteorological conditions,
aud surveyed large extent of country.
While engaged in tracing the coast
line he discovered three new islands,
one of which, about nineteen miles
long and three broad, he named Possiet
island. Last winter Nossilof lived at
the western entrance of Matthew Ma
totshliin?l strait. He had q comfortable
housc, which had been specially con-
structed for him after his own plans in
Archangel, and was carried on a schoon-
er to NOvaya Zemlia-
The significance of Nossilof's work
is that almost single-handed and alone
he is exploring one of the least known
parts of the world. The best maps of
Navaya ZeInlia show little more than
blank spaces lin the interior. Seal
hunters say the island is very rocky,
and it is likely that in the interior
there are mountain chains running par.
allcl with the coast. The country has
70 inhabitants, but is visited annually
by Samoyeds from the neighboring
mainland. In recent years 4 number
of expeditions, scientific and CONNER
cial, have touched at Novaya Zemlia,
but the island is still little known,
anLeven the greater part of its coast
line is not yet accurately laid down on
the maps.
During the summer of 1890 Nossilof
made several excursions into the Kara
sea, collected many birds and animals,
surveyed part of the coast and took
soundings. lie says that last winter
was unusually stormy, and that the
sea remained open until spring. Tor
rents of rain fell, SO that the country
was covered with coating of ice and
many reindeer persisted from hunger.
Hundreds of seals were frozen on the
ice, and fish were thrown up in heaps
on the shore. The weather during
last spring and summer was very Sc
we're, and the temperature did not rise
above Al degrees i. up to the end of
July. The explorer was, however,
able to carry on the scientific work of
his expedition without interruption,
and to make large geological investi
cations
This enthusiastic Russian has led
more isolated life during the last three
years than almost any other civilized
man. He has faith that there is good tc
be obtained from Novaya Zemlia. and
believes it will pay to develop its minera'
resources