The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-25
NORTH POLE VICTIMS
wELLMAN's ARCTIC EXPEDITION BE-
LIEvED TO HAVE FoUNDERED.
Report from Norway That liz Was
Probably Crushed by an Iceberg
Cooks Vessel Disabled.

LONDON. July 24-Carl Siewers writes
10 the Standard that he is In receipt OF ad-
Vices from Norway that leaves little doubt
that the Wellman arctic expedition is lost.
Experienced shippers. just returned from
the Spitzbergen seas. express the same opin-
ion. and Colonel Fielding, who accompanied
Captain Nares's expedition in 1873. shares
this belief. The Pail Mall Gazette is in re-
ceipt Of similar advices from Tromso. all
confirming the general belief in the fate Of
the expedition.
Arctic shippers report that the flow OF
pack ice and its density this summer would
prove irresistible to any vessel. however
strong. They believe that the Ragnavald-
Jarl has been crushed in the ice. and eX-
press the belief that there is a remote
chance that the members of the Wellman
expedition have been saved by managing TO
get upon an ice foe. In which case, they
believe that the explorers are in a most
dangerous position, as. they add, that ii is
most probable that the Ragnavald-Jarl was
crushed without warning. Should the fore
bodings of the Arctic shippers prove true.
and If the Ragnavad-Jarl was crushed
without warning, il is probable
that the members of the expedition were
unable TO take any large quantity of sup
plies with them upon the ice foe. even sup
posing that they succeeded in escaping.
When questioned i'm regard 10 the effective
ness of the aluminium boats in such an
emergency, the Arctic captains expressed
the belief that they would be Of no use in
such ice as was flowing this summer.
The last heard from the expedition IL was
at Danes island, off the northwest coast
of Spitzbergen, where Professor Oyen re-
manned alone with a dog to guard the
provision depot established there.
Mr.. Fielden. the owner of the yacht Saide.
has received news of Professor oyen's dis
tress from Captain Johannsen, Of the sloop
Anna. Mr.. Fielden instantly ordered the
Saide to Danes island, and she reached that
spot the mex; day; but only to be vel
found i'm his bed in an almost dying condi-
ton. He had given up all hope of ever
seeing the face of a human being again.
was found a letter containing bitter
proaches against Wellman, whom he
cused of having left him in the lurch. Well
man, according to Professor Oyen, promised
that man should stay with him and share
his frightful solitude But ii appears, at
man could not be spared, and so the Pro-
fessor had to be content with the company
of his faithful dog
The S~s1e also reported that Professor
Oyen was badly provisioned when he
was found that his early death appeared
inevitable. But in spite of his sufferings
and the thought that death was lowering
over him, the Professor refused to be taken
off Danes island insisting upon remaining
there, faithful to his trust. even though
death was the result of his continuing at
his post Of Arctic solitude The Sadie left
a quantity of provisions with the Professor
and some medicines Of which he stood in
great need. Thus was Professor Oyen left
in camp with his brute friend, probably to
die on Danes island, another victim added
TO the long list OF persons who have given
their lives in the cause of Arctic explora-
ton.
Mr.. Fleden the owner Of the yacht Saide.
writes to the Standard as follows: when
L met Prof Oyen at Danes island he de-
clined TO give any information in regard TO
the plans of the Wellman expedition. de-
claring that Mr.. Wellman had pledged him
not to divulge the arrangements or any
thing concerning the expedition" Mr.
Fielder thinks that even if the Ragnavold-
Jarl was crushed there is no reason for
anxiety with regard to the fate of the
party, because they could, under almost
any circumstances make good their retreat
to Danes island. He advises Mr.. Well
mans friends to send ship from Tromso
to the island with supplies in September,
If nothing more is heard from the exped-
ton in the meantime.