The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
INCIDENTS OF THE TOTAGE.
Dancers Encountered by the Explorers
II. Norfhern IcPfeLds.

INCIDENTS OF THE TOTAGE.
Dangers Encountered by the Explorers
In Northern IcefieLds.
LONDON, ENGLAND, Aug ia Vardo
dispatch to a morning paper gives further
de tails of Nansenis trip. Nansen SAID:
GAS anticipated, we were gradually drifted
north and northwestward during the
autumn and winter of 1893, from the con-
stantly exposed and violent pressures, but
the Fran surpassed our expectations, be-
ing superior to any strain.
"The temperature fell rapidly and was
constantly low for the whole winter.
During weeks the mercury was frozen.
The lowest temperature was 81 degrees be-
low zero. Every man on board was in
perfect health during the whole voyage.
1.-THE sea was up to 80 fathoms deep
south of 79 degrees north, where the depth
suddenly increased and was from 1900 to
1900 fathoms north of that latitude. This
will naturally upset all previous theories
based on a shallow polar basin.
"The sea bottom was remarkably devoid
of organic matter.
During the whole drift had good op-
portunities to take a series of scientific
observations, meteorological, magnetic,
astronomical and biological soundings,
deep-sea temperature, examinations for
the sslinity of the water, etc.
"Under the stratum of cold water cover
ing the surface of the polar basin / soon
discovered warmer ana more saline water,
due to the Gulf Stream, with temperatures
from 81 deg. to 80 deg.
1--WE saw no land and no open water,
except narrow cracks, in any direction.
AS anticipated. our drift northwestward
was most rapid during the winter and
spring, while the northerly winds stopped
or drifted US backward during the sum-
mer.
''On January 4 of this year the Fran
was exposed to the most violent ice press
ures we experienced. She was then firmly
measured thickness.
"This foe was over-ridden by great ice
masses, which were pressed against the
port side with irresistible force and threat
ened to bury if not to crush her.
"The necessary provisions with the can
vas kayaks and other equipments had
been placed in safety and every man was
ready to leave the ship if necessary and
was prepared to continue with the
drift, living on the foe.
':But the Fran proved stronger than
our trust in her. When the pressure rose
to the highest and the ice was
piled up high above the bull
warks she was broken loose and slowly
lifted out of her bed, in which she had
been frozen, but not the slightest sign of
a split was to be discovered anywhere in
her.
AFTER that experience I consider the
Fran almost equal to anything in the way
of pressure.
"As I now with certainty anticipated
that the Fran would SOON reach her
highest latitude north of Franz Josef
Land, and that she would not easily fail
to carry out the programme of the e1pe-
dition, viz: to cross the Polar basin,
1 decided to leave the ship in order to
explore the sea north of her route.
Lieutenant Johansen volunteered to
join me, and could not easily have found a
better companion in every respect.
"The leadership of the expedition on
board the Fran left TO Captain Sverdrup.
Johansen and left the Fran on March IA,
1895, at 83 deg. SO min. north and 102 deg.
81 min. east.
"Our purpose was to explore the seat of
the north and reach the highest latitude
possible and then go to Spitzbergen via
Franz Josef Land, where we felt certain
to find a ship.
1--WE found the ice in the beginning toI-
erably good travelling and so made good
distances, aud the ice did not appear to be
drifting much.
"Bv March 90 we had reached 81 deg. 80
min, but there the ice became rough and
the drift contrary.
"Our progress was very slow and fati-
guing, as the sledges had to be carried
over the high hummocks constantly built
built up Dy the foes grinding against
each other.
ION April the ice became so bad that
gave up the northerly march. We were
then at IS deg. IA min.
'We made a short excursion on skis,
but could see nothing but ice of the same
description. The temperature also went
very low, keeping between 35 and 40 below
zero, and causing us to suffer good deal,
as we had only wooden clothing, our furs
having been left on shipboard to save
them.
1--WE were drifting northward again,
and on April began to march toward
Franz Josef Land.
Provisions were rapidly decreasing and
the dogs had to be killed one after another
TO furnish food for the remainder.
I'm June the cracks became exceedingly
bad and the snow soft, so that travelling
was very dangerous"
Professor Nansen describes the remain
der o. the trip minutely, down to the ac-
cldental meeting with Jackson. the events
from day to dav not differing from the ac-
counts given above.
At the time of the meeting Nansen's
provisions were almost entirely exhausted.
Magnificent Scientific Results.