The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-08-08
FROM THE FAR NORTH,
Wellman's Search for the
North Pole
Latest News About the Loss of
His Ship.
lhe Ragnavald'Jarl Crushed Like a
Matchbox.
Ahe Grew Escaped to the shore-SpT.r
Ing OF Members of tho Expodi.
tion-Utnity of the Alum
inum Boats.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
IRoMsoE. Norway, Aug. 7.--Captain
bottoifssn, who brought to this place
the newa of the loss of the Wellmau
polar expedition steamer Rsgnavsld-
Jarl, In an interview further details the
adventures of the Wellman party. He
says the expedition reached Waldo
Island on May 11th, when the pack ice
WAS becoming troublesome. Wellman
ana his party started north on sleds on
May 2Sth. On May 28th, the acrs wing
OF the ice commenced in earnest. Near
the steamer were icebergs which lowered
as high as the yard arms of the vessel's
masts. While the crew were drinking
their afternoon coffee on that day, the
steamer was suddenly crushed by the
Ice as If it WAS a match. box. The water
rushed in with terrific force, and in q
few minutes the vessel was a complete
wreck. The crew in the meantime had
escaped to the shore.
The men had been occupied for sew
eral days previous in bringing provis-
Ions and the aluminium boat ashore.
ihey were now obliged to take shelter
IN the great dog kennel until they were
able to get away from the wreckaee.
Under hollow which had been made
IN the side of the vessel, the party were
enabled to save quantity of coal and
other useful articles.
An express party was sent after Mr..
Wellman and overlook him and his
companions al Martens island. Mr..
Wellman. Dodge and others returned TO |
Walden island and held council, Can.
tain Bottolfsen and a sailor volunteered |
to go and seek for the sealing vessels to
the southwark. Mr.. Wellman rosumed
hls Journey to the northwsrd on Nav
3lst, but Bottolfsen and his party were
unable to start on their trip on account
OF pack ice and were detained on the
turned from Mr. reiInan, OwInK 10
lack of provision and to troubles in re-
gard to ice and water, with dogs and
m all from Wellman.
Oa June 9th Bottolfsen and his party
started southwark in asarch of sealers,
hauling behind them 22.foot aluminium
boat. They passed four terrible weeks
of rain and heavy ice, sometimes haul
ing their boat and sailing or rowing
where there was open water. In this
way they travelled 230 miles along the
Spi,zenbergen islands. They were com.
pelled to throw away nearly all their
extra clothing and much OF their equip
ment. as the boat WAS overloaded. In |
passing across Henlope atrait, it was
particularly difficult and dangerous. |
All the party were wet to the skin and
the cold being intense, their BufterlnRs
were most severe.
On July 18th they tried to cross Win
dow bay. but we're obliged to return,
owing to the fog and ice. They made
another start on the 10Th, but the ice
proved too dense and they were obliged
to abandon the gig and proceed hauling
the aluminium boat. Seven Norwegian
sailors were seen east OF Morse island,
but they failed to respond to the party's
signals.
at Morse bay they found Nor
densk jold's hut, where a provision depot
was maintained by Tromsoe skipper
named Soco Azon. The party had to
take their boat around Welcome point.
On July 10th they were taken aboard
the steamer Mslygen, Captain Pederaen.
Heyendahl was landed at Danes island
to join Prof. Oyen, who was well but
still declined to leave the island.
Captain Bottolfeen Gays that during
the journey along the coast his party
was able to shoot few polar bears and
reindeer. He said Captain Henderson
proved splendid ice master. Bottolf.
sen ia high in his praise of aluminium
boats. He SAYS Sando and his compan-
ions left Welman on June 18th, ak
miles east of Cape Platte. on his way to
Robes island. All his party were we'll.
He says it is probable the two mates,
two engineers, stoker and cook, who
were left at Walden island, will be res
cued by sealers as soon as the ice and
weather become favorable enough for
them to proceed eastward.