Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-17
NANSEN'S NARRATIVE
Celebrated Arctic Explorer Details
His Wonderful Experiences.
PRIVATIGNS GRAPHICALLY PORTRAYED
Three Years Of Hardship in the
Frozen North.
LARGE AUDIENCE PRESENT

Fridtjof Nansen, when he surveyed the
large audience at Convention Hall last
night must have in some degree felt COM
pensated for the terrible and long enduring
hardships he underwent in the arctic re-
gions. 1t was magnificent audience. large
and distinguished. 1t was fully in SYM
pathy with the man who stood before
them and told his graphic story of what
he suffered for science. His auditors
laughed at the humorous incidents which
he portrayed with delicate touch; sighed
when he told of his misfortunes, and were
almost breathless when he recited the
thrilling narrative of hairbreadth escapes,
midst fields and foes of ice. When he and
his companions came safely out of these
the suspense was broken by loud applause.
1t was the adventures of hero, modestly
told by himself, with no catch-penny
phrases or oratorical effects
The story teller realized that there was
ertugh without these, and the audience
was also made to realize it.
Ihat Dr. Nansen possesses highly
poetic temperament was shown conclusive
ly by the portrayals Of the signs of the
polar night, which were given as If they
had been more enjoyable features of the
voyage. perhaps, than any others.
Dr. Nansen walked up the aisle of the
hail arm-in-arm with Chief Engineer Mel
Vile of the navy, one of the survivors of
the Jeanette expedition of 81. AS the
two proceeded to the platform they were
greeted with cheers by the audience The
Il nous explorer took seat and stroked
his mustache, while he surveyed the au-
dience critically. Mr.. Melville paid his
respects to DR.. Nansen in a short address
and introduced him.
The lecturer declared that the success of
his expedition was due. perhaps, more than
10 all else, 10 the fate of the Jeanette. The
relics of this fated ship, picked up on the
coast of Greenland, had taught hansen q
lesson of the currents in those regions, and
he had shaped his plan of action by this.
A map was exhibited as explanatory of his
talk on this subject.
He did not feel terribly disappointed he
declared because the pole had not been
reached 1t was merely a mathematical
point, Of no particular value intrinsically,
and differing not very materially from
others. The voyage had been made for
scientific purposes, and was successful in
this respect.
Still. if the pole had been reached, We
should nave been glad to take it in" he
said. with a touch of hllmor.
DR.. Nal sen attributes his failure to reach
the pole to the lack of dogs. The reason
ne did not secure enough was explained by
saying that the ship could not care for
them, as expected, on account Of shallow
vater.
The splendors of the long polar night
were dWelt upon in mastery manner, as
they were represented on the screen used
for the display of the pictures illustrating
me lecture. These displays of the night
hansen said. were pictures of dreamIand
made in wonderful tnts."
Notwithstanding all they had to con-
tend with the crew of the Fran about
thirty persons in all, enjoyed excellent
neaith. The surgeon who had been taken
along was forced to seek for patients
among the dogs.
Most Severe Experience
Inc hardest times of the expedition were
when Nansen and his faithful lieutenant.
Johansen, left the FRAN" in the ice to
explore the fields further north. They
started with provisions for 100 days. Nine
months had passed before they reached
Franz Josef's land, after hearing. in their
lamentations, the Christmas bells, witness
ing IN their minds vision the sights at
tending the holiday festivals at home.
While they were occupying a bare hut. on
a barren island. On the trip north from
tne fram the average temperature was
after night.
Perhaps the most pathetic side of the
story was that where the dogs were lost
sen when they left the Ship One by one
they disappeared until two only were left
one which had become dear to the ex-
plorer and the other to his trusty lieuten-
ant.
1T was q hard thing to do" Nansen
said, but the last two pets had TO be
Killed. l took Johansen's dog behind a
hummock and shot it, and he did the same
WIN mine. We could not bear to shoot our
own 1t would have seemed too much liz
numbering friend.
Lieutennnts Peril.
The description of the polar bear adven
ture was most graphically given. While
)ourneying together Nansen heard an ex-
clamation from his mate, and. turning
around, saw him on his back, with a huge
polar bear standing over him. In an en-
deavor TO get his gun an accident happen
ed, by the dropping of Nansen's gun into
the water, which might have resulted IA
tally to the lieutenant. 1t was finally Sc
cured and the animal killed.
II asked Johansen what he was thinking
OF with the bear standing over him." Nam
sen said. The climax was reached in the
answer.
Il was thinking what a - fool Won were
not to get my gun instead of your own
wren 1t was SO much easier"
Nansens story was finished with the ref
e:ence TO the telegram received that the
Fran had gotten out safely from the ice
and finally was again anchored in the
peaceful Christiania harbor.
-Four young seaman gunners were de-
tailed by permission of Commodore Crown
inshield, chief Of bureau of navigation of
the Navy Department, to take charge of
the precious relics exhibited in the recep-
ton room, near the entrance to the hall
Two of them accompanied the lecturer and
Commodore Melville when they walked the
whole length of the hall to reach the plat
form, and their picturesque navy uniforms
attracted much attention.
The relics. kyak sledge, Skis" garments,
little stove and other articles, were return
ed today to the National Museum, where, it
is understood, they will be on exhibition,
as soon as arranged and labeled. and re-
main until the departure of DR.. Nansen for
Europe the middle of February.