The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-08
Capt. BOttolfsen Tells the Story
Of the Wellman Party.
Icebergs lowered as High as the
Vessels Yard Arms.
JULY INTENSELY COLD
The Party Now in Good Health
and Marching On.

TRoMsoE. Norway Aug s.-Capt. Bot
tolfsen, who brought to this place the
news Of the loss Of the Wellman polar
expedition steamer Ragnvald-Ja rl,
gives in an interview further details
of the adventures of the Wellman
party. He says the expedition reached
Walden island on May II, when the
pack ice was becoming trou blesome-
Mr.. Wellman and his party started
north on sledges on May "a On May
rs the screwing Of the ice comm nced
In real earnest. Near the steamer
were icebergs which lowered as high
as the yard arms of the vessels masts-
While the crew were drinking
their afternoon coffee on that day
the steamer was suddenly crushed by
the ice as if it were a match box The
water rushed IN with terrific force,
and in few minutes the vessel was
complete wreck The crew in the
meantime had escaped to the shore.
They were now obliged to take shell
ter in a great dog kennel until they
were able to build hut from the
wreckage Of the steamer. Through a
hole which had been made in the side
of the wrecked vessel the party were
enabled to save "A quantity Of coal
aud other useful articles
- An express party was sent after Mr..
companions at Martens island. MIR.
Wellman, Dodge and others returned
to Walden island and held a council.
Captain BottOlfsen. Webfeldt and a
sailor volunteered to 60 and seek for
sealing vessels to the southwark. Mr..
Wellman resumed his journey north
ward on May 81, but Bottolfsen and
his party were unable to start on
their trip, owing to the heavy pack
ice and we're still detained at the
island on June %, when Sando, Iver-
son. Wlnship and Heyedahl returned
from Mr.. Wellman, owing to lack of
provisions and to troubles in regard
to ice and water. with orders and mail
from Wellman, who had gone for
ward
On June p Captain Bottolfsen and
his party started southwark in search
of sealers, hauling behiE1 them a
twelve-foot aluminium boat. They
passed four terrible weeks of storm
and heavy snow, some times hauling
their boat and sailing or rowing
where there was open water IN
this way they travelled 23O
miles along the Spitz bergen
islands They were compelled
TO throw away nearly all their extra
clothing and much of their equip
ment, as the boat was overloaded d.
Their passage across Henlopen strait
was particularly difficult and danger
Gus. All of the party were wet to
the skin and, the cold being intense,
their sufferings were most severe.
The cold on the nights Of July 10 and
12 was simply terrible
In a hut at MOsset bay they found
and repaired an old gig. On July ID
they tried to cross Wide bay, but
were obliged to return. owing to the
fog and ice. They made another
start July Is, but the ice proved too
dense and they were obliged to aban-
don the gig and proceed, hauling the
aluminium boat Seven Norwegian
sealers were seen east OF the Morse
island, but they failed to respond to
the partv's signals. At Morse bay they
found Nordensjold's hut. where a
provision depot was maintained BY
Iromsoe skipper named Sociazon.
The party had to take their boat
around Welcome Point. On July 1o
they were taken aboard the steamer
Malygen, Captain Peterson. Haver-
dahl was landed at Danes island to
join Professor Oyen. swho was we'll,
but still declined to leave the island.
Captain Bottolfsen says that during
the journey along the coast his party
were a bic to shoot few polar bears
and reindeer. lie says Captain Peder-
SON proved splendid ice master.
BcttOlfson is high in his praise OF
aluminium boats. The dogs he had with
him proved useless, becoming sore
footed and had to be shot. He saws san
do and his companions left Wellman
on June II. six miles east Of Cape
Platen, on his way to Ribs island All
his party We're we'll He saws it is
probable the two mates two enpin-
GERS a stOker and cook who were left
at Walden island will be res
cued by sealers as soon as the ice and
weather becomes favorab bic enough
f-sr~t To- 4