Evening journal., 1896-08-21

Norway Rejoices over the Successful Ter
nination of the Polar Expedition, which
Brings Fame to Her sturdy sons-Cap-
tain sverdrup the Hero OF the Hour.
CnHIsTIANIA, Aug. 21.-Dr. Nansen's
arctic exploring ship Fran, which he left
imbcdded in the ice In order to explore the
sea north of the route he had proposed to
follow, has arrived at Skjervo, in the prov
ince OF TroHso Norway. Captain Syer-
drup, her commander, reported all we'll ON
board. The Fran, he said, called at Dane 8
island on Aug. IA and saw Professor An
dree, who was still waiting for favor
able wind in order TO enable him to at
tempt his balloon trip across the arctic re-
gions Captain Sverdrup soon after his
arrival sent the following telegram to DR..
Nanson.
Fran arrived safely. All well on
board. Leaves at once for Tromso. Vel
come home.H
DR.. Nnnsen replied TO this message as
follows: "a thousand times welcome to
you and all. Hurrah for the Framl'
The Fran has already started on her
way to Tromso where DR.. Nansen win
meet her
Additional details received from Skjervo
regarding DR.. Nansen's arctic exploring
ship Fran are to the effert that the boat
drifted from point 50. 80 degrees north.
The greatest sea depth obtained by sound
ing was 2,1S5 fathoms. The lowest tenn
perature noted was % degrees below zero.
Nansen Saves Fireman From Death.
f. H. Johansen, the stoker, 1t is report
ed, had narrow escape from terrible
death. He was attacked by polar bear,
bat was rescued by DIR. Nansen, who shot
the animal
DR.. Nansen gained % pounds in weight
on his journey TO Vardoe after leaving the
Fran
Professor :. A. Andree, according to re-
ports received here told Captain Syerdrup,
who visited the aeronaut, that it was now
too late TO make the proposed ascent, and
that he would probably soon return to
SPitzbergen anu make another effort to
reach the north pole In a balloon next
4 April.
The Fran, it is said, still has provisions
q capable of sustaining her crew in the arc
& tic regions for three years. Fearing that
the crush of ice would wreck the ship,
n Captain Sverdrup and the crew were
Obliged, after DIR. Nansen left, TO remove
all the sledges, provisions, ammunition
and light furniture
King Oscar has wired Captain Otto Neu-
mann Sverdrup expressing sentiments of
the heartiest welcome and congratulating
81 him on the honor won for Norway There
81 is great enthusiasm throughout the town,
81 bunting being everywhere displayed, the
S decorations in the harbor being especially
E fine
dispatch to The Afenposten from
IA SkierVo says that the Fran reached open
water Aug 1S. A member Of the expedi-
=
woRld have penetrated much farther into
the arctic regions, and that perhaps the
north pole would have been reached II ths
Fran had been frozen in the east of ths
New Siberian islands. In the highest lati
tude reached, So 10 north, members Of th'
exploring party saw guillemots, filmar,
and nArwhals, but no other signs Of or
ganic life were apparent
Proud OF HIs Ship.
DR.. Nansen is very proud of his ship
the chief feature OF which Is that she'll
really like q bowl transverse section o.
her resembling very much that Of a cocoa
nut BY means Of this construction she
tcnds to rise and thus TO escape the grasT
os the ice. She Is very broad compared
with the length. She is rugged ms q three
masted fore and aft schooner. 1t is amaz
M ing indeed that such a oookleshell as thu
S Fran should have succeeded IN breaking
through ice barriers when so many fnell
equipped expeditions have failed.
On previous polar expeditions 1t ha
been found difficult to keep the frost from
3f penetrating the sides of the ship. 1t wa
not rare 20 have the mattresses under tn
sailors turn into Jumps Of ice DIR. Nansei
lad layers OF various materials, almost i'm
ienerablo by frost, placed along the side
Al lnd under the dock. Pains were taken &
It up sheycssel as warmly as possible, an
here was a dynamo to furnish electri
light during the long nights. A windmill
vas to produce the power. II that failed
{ was so arranged that the men In talin
heir daily walks could at the same tim
urnish the power for the generator Dr
hansen was also careful to have the shi
tocked with a good library
Special care was taken not only to kee
the hent, but also to avoid the mois
are which is. so easily condensed on th
old walls OF every ship in the polar night:
n order TO obtain q pleasant place 70
romenading the deck of the Fran wa
y heltered by n hugo tent in the winter
his added te the snugnoss. The saloo
,as made as homellke as possible. NorwG
ian artists decorated the wall with pic
ures Of DR. Nansen's home. There wer
lenty Of books Of all kinds. thanks to seN
raj friends Of the expedition, and a va
lety of games also an organ and othe
iusical instruments