The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-15

We discovered an iceland in the Kara
sea and a great number Of islands
along the coast to Cape Cheljuskin
In several places we found evidences
of a glacier epoch. during which north
ern Siberia mnst have been covered by
an inland ice to a great extent.
"On Sept. Is we were at the mouth
of the Olnek river but we thought it
was too late to go in there to fetch
our bogs, as we would not risk losing
a year. We passed the New Siberian
islands Sept 22 We made fast to a
foe in latitude Is degrees minutes
north and in longitude 1873 degrees 81
minutes east. We then allowed the
ship to be closed in by the ice
AS anticipated we were gradually
drifted north and northWeStward during
the autumn and winter. In the con-
stantly exerted and violent pressures
she (the Franz surpassed our expecta
tions, being superior to any strain.
The temperature fell rapidly and was
constantly low with little variation for
the whole winter During weeks the
mercury was frozen. The lowest tenn
perature was SO degrees below zero.
Every man on board was in perfect
health during the whole voyage. The
electric light, generated by windmill
fulfilled our expectations. The most
friendly relations existed and time
passed pleasantly. Every one made
pleasure his duty, and a better lot of
men could hardly be found
THE sea was up to 80 fathoms deep,
south of 79 degrees north, while the
depth suddenly increased and was
from 1000 to 1900 fathoms north of
that latitude. This will necessarily up
set all previous theories based on a.
shallow polar basin. The sea bottom
ter. During the whole drift, l had good
opportunities to take a series of sci
entific observations, meteorological,
magnetic, astronomical, biological,
soundings, deep sea temperatures, ex-
aminations for the salinity of the sea
water, etc. Under the stratum of cold
ice water covering the surface of the
polar basin soon discovered warmer
and more saline water, due to the gulf
stream with temperatures from 81 de-
grees to 3S degrees
I'VE 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 summer On June IS, 1894. we were
we drifted thence southwark only On
Oct. q, we passed 50 degrees north On
Christmas Eve 1894, latitude SO degrees
north was reached, and a few days
later SO degrees, "a minutes, the further
est north latitude previously reached by
man.
Jan. and 5. the Fran was ex-
posed to the most violent ice pressures
we experienced. She was then firmly
frozen in ice of more than 80 feet of
measured thickness. This foe was
overridden by
GREAT ICE MASSES
which was pressed against the port
side with irresistible force and threat
ened to bury If not to crush us. The
necessary provisions with the canvas
kayaks and other equipments had been
placed in safety upon the ice. Every
man was ready to leave the ship if
necessary, and was preparing to con-
tinae with the drift, living on the foe
But the Fran proved even stronger
than our trust in her. When the pres
sure rose to the highest and the ice
was piled up high above the bulwarks,
she was broken loose and slowly lifted
out of her he'd in which she had been
frozen, but not the slightest sign Of
split was to be discovered anywhere
in her. After that experience I con-
slider the Fran almost equal to any
thing in the way of pressure After
wards we experienced nothing more of
the kind, but our drift was rapidly
continuing north and northwestward..
CAS- l now, with certainty, anticipated
that the Fran could soon reach her