The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-22
G.. FROELICH.

pring rorth--was scene OF hopeless con-
fusion. Underneath we could see that the
boilers and staneh little engine were i'm
morsed in water, and Captain Bottelisen
said the bottom was Likely 30 drop out of
the ship as soon as the ice Stacked away q
few inches, for il was only the pressure OF
the ice that was holding her together.
so great was the power Of the ice in mo-
tien that he sides of the ship had heeu
pressed inward, causing che deck 20 swell
up and burst in the center That she had
not completely collapsed and rendered inn
possible the saving Of stores from her hold
was due TO the great strength Of the bull,
for the Ragnvald Jarl was one of the
stoutest ships in Norway. Before we sailed
from Tronlso q rumor was In circulation,
and doubtless will be renewed when the
news of this disaster reaches civilization,
q NJ The Jarl was old and worthless and
I'll adapted to withstand contact with heavy
ice. THIS Is not true. The Jarl was built
for work ia the ice, and her hull was made
as strong as heavy timbers and good work
ranship could mako her Besides she was
shoathed below the Ice lno with green
heart just before sailing the official in
spootors rated her hull Al. 1t is true she
was not a very large steamer, but size
doesn't count in combat with tho Ice
The cruiser Chicago or the great Majestic
would have Jared quite as badly as the lit
tic Jarl in that terrible pressure of last
Monday.
Tho stores Saved.
Thanks TO the energy and bravery OF the
captain and his men, enough stores have
been saved to support the crew for three
or four months. They have also taken
some coal and many timbcrs out OF the
hold and will not want for fuel. IL is the
captains belief that the hull Will be held
up for some days 20 como by the ice which
has pierced It, and In that event more coal
and lumber will bo taken ont, tho tinlbCrs
TO 30 utilized in the construction Of n bet
ter house on the rocky shore of Walden is
land. with great difficulty the mon saved
one uf the whaleboats that hung on the
davits Of tho ship, brave Lnoch Hovde cut
ting away the lines while tho ice was ram
ming the hull and the boiler underneath
him was Kissing and screaming from con-
tact with the flood OF Icy waters. The 9th
er whaleboat still hangs upon tho davits,
and the ice has reached and badly dam
aged it, but there arc hopes that it may
yet DO taken of end repaired. Without
these boats the crew will have no means OF
escape from Walden island unless per
enough open water on the north coast TO
permit tho hunting sloops to approach the
Seven islands.
Captain Bottelfsen, who has had much
experience in the Spitzbergen sea, takes
rsther gloomy view of the future. lit is
one of the most unfavorablo seasons have
ever seen here" he said Tho spring has
evidently been a very stormy ono, and in
stead of the ico lying fixed and solid, rs it
usually does, IL has been broken up and
drifted to and fro and screwed into the
impassablc mass which you SEQ before you.
I Go not like tho looks Of this ice 1t may
roxnain hero all summer, so tightly Is it
nov ramIned upon the shore. Though we
steamed up here In open water fortnight
ago, there may bc no moro open water for
two months 90 come. In case you decided
to fall back upon the ship l had hoped TO
push you through the drift ice to tho Zoe
ice or heavy pack o. the north, where you
could pErsuo your. slcdgo journey with
splendid chance Of success But" and
hsrs thsesptpia ssstlsd sriaiy. tbs Rssn-