The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-08-20
THE FAMOUS ARCTIC EXPLORER
DID NOT LOCATE THE
NORTH POLE.
GOT FOUR DEGREES NEARER TO It.
Passed the Winter in Franz Josef
land-Members of the EXpedi-
ton in Best of Health.

NlullIllO. SNtutIl, aug. 10 4 lie new s.
paper Gagensnyheter has received COM
munication from Gen. Nanscn and Lieut.
Scott Hansen from the island of Nardoe.
These communications state they had
abandoned the Fran in the autumn of
1898 and resorted to ice. The steamer
Windward carrying supplies to the
Observation-Disclosures expedition picked
them up near Franz Josefand. They
expected that the Fran would eventually
drift to the east coast of England.
DR.. Nansen failed to reach the north
pole, but he touched Il point four degrees
nearer than any other explorer has ever
done.
The steamer Windward took letters
for Nansen when it started to the relief
of the Jackson Harmsworth expedition.
as Mr.. Jackson expected TO find Nansen
and was convinced that his idea of
drifting across the pole in the ice was
impracticablc.
SUBSISTED ON BEAR FLESH.
Nardoe, Norway. Aug. 13.-Dr. Nam
sen left the Fran on March II. 1895, in
the S4th degree. north latitude. He
travcrsed the polar sea to Il point So de-
grees II minutes north latitude, situated
on the New Siberian islands. No land
was sighted north of So degrees of lati-
tude or thence to Franz Joscfland, where
he I)uSSpu Illp winter, SUDSlSllllS Oh Dear
flesh and whale blubber.
DR.. Nansen and his companions are
in the best of health. The Fran is OK
pectcd at Vardoe or Bergen shortly
She stood the ice well. There were no
sick persons aboard when Nansen left
her.
DR.. Nansen, the Norwegian scientist.
now about 36 years of age. sailed from
Christiana on June II, 1893, on yoy-
age of discovery to the artic regions
with the intention of reaching the north
pole if possible.
He embarked ON board the three mast
ed schooner The Fran, which was pro-
vided with 16O-horse power steam en-
CINE. She was of 800 tons, and her sides
were so constructed as to force all ice
meeting the vessel to pass under it, thus
preventing all pinching and screwing.
The Fran was in every way admira-
bly, equipped, and had crew of twelve
men. all of whom occupied the cabin,
which measured only thirteen feet square
and which was heated by means of an
engine. which consumed three litres of
petroleum per day. The Fran had
enough fuel on board TO last three years.
and she also had library, consisting of
about 1000 books. DR.. Nansen's plan
was to make for the New Siberian island
and sail directly north until the Fran
should be imbedded in the ice. He then
proposed to drift along with the ice, fol
lowing the west coast of any land that
might be met.
A dispatch was received from the doc
tor at NardOe, on August %. 1898, writ
ten in the Yugorski straights on the sec
ond day of that month, announcing that
the expedition was about to sail into the
Kara sea, and that the Fran so far had
behaved splendidly.
DR.. Nansen entered the university at
Christiana in 1880, and III 1882 went as
passenger on the sealing steamer Nik-
ing to Denmark straits and the east coast
of Greenland. 1t is believed that this
voyage kindled the foundation for the
ambition of his life, namely, that of dis
covering the north pole. On his return
from Greenland he was appointed curator
of the museum at Bergen, and held that
position until 1888. when he led small
pypediton to Greenland and crossed the
southern portion of that country from
the east to Gohaad on the west coast.
where the party wintered and returned
to Norway in June. 1889.
In September, 1889, Dr. Nansen mar.
ried Miss Eva Sars, youngest daughter OF
the late professor of zoology at the uni
versity at Chrstiana. Mrs. Nansen has
all along had faith in the eventual return
of her husband. She has powerful mu-
steal voice and was professional singer
before her marriage, and has since ap-
peared before the public on various oc-
casions. DR.. and Mrs. Nanscn have one
child. daughter.
Since DR.. Nansen's departure for the
Arctic regions there have been number
of reports circulated regarding his safe
ty, but they have all, up to the present
time, turned out to be without tounda-
ton.
The Windward left Vadoe for Franz
,Josefland in order to bring back the Brit
ish expedition on June % last. In an in
terview with DR.. Nansen, previous to his
departure, the explorer was quoted as
saying:
Having considered former expeditions.
their outfits and their routes, have made
ND nv mind to build ship make her as
strong as possible and just large enough
to carry provisions for twelve men for
Eve years. When | arrive at the New
Siberian islands | will examine the cur
rents and ice conditions, and then select
the best moment for start for the north
through ice-frec water, when l thilk
will be in August or III Tue cohi'''en''
ment of September
1DeLond wrote in his log that while the
expedition drifted in the ice north of
Bennett Island they saw Il dark water
sky" 1t is n sky which shows the re-
Election of water all around. 1t must
consequently be possible to cover con-
Siderable distance in that direction be
fore we get fastened in the ice and drift
with the current. which will probably
bring Us out in the sea between Greenland
and Spitzenburgen. We will then have
to come down as far as the SOth latitude,
and if it be st,Ihhner will have chance to
col the ship loose and sail home.
Had the jeanette. expedition suiticent
provisions. and had they remained on
the ice. the expedition would have had
a different result.
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUTRE'(lL.
Washington, Aug. 13.-'rhe I6fkish
legation has received the following from
the sublime porte: 49,.