The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-21
GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION.
No Trace Of Andrce-.A New Island
Discovered.

The German North Pole Expedition.
having completed the first part Of its
journey, has put into Hammerfest Tor
repairs. Though II has not succeeded.
unfortunately. In finding the slightest
trace of Andree the expedition has not
been altogether without results of VAL
ue to science. The special correspond
ent OF the "Lokal Anzeiger." telegraph
ing from Hammerfest. states that after
borhood~0f Spitzbergen. the Helgoland
steamed for King Charles Land. A ten
days stay at the latter place enabled
the members of the expedition to cor
rect many mistakes which are appar-
ent I'm the English and Norwegian
maps.
King Charles Land consists of two
large islands shown in the maps as
Swedish Foreland and Jena Island. A
third island which the expedition dis
covered was christened, in honor OF
the promoter of the expedition, the Au-
gust Scherl Island. Upon IL We're
found the breeding places of some gulls
OF which hitherto only a few eggs
have been collected. The expedition
further came upon two small islands
Helgoland Isles, I'm the south bay of
Jena. A hasty survey os King Charles
Land was made by Captain Ruediger.
The question as to the number and po-
sition of its islands has therefore been
finally determined. Upon July 29 the
correspondent continues, the expedi-
tion started in a northerly direction
for Franz Josef Land but after having
travelled some sixty miles IL was fore
ed by heavy northwest storm to turn
back and to seek shelter in the south
bay OF Jena.
The leader OF the expedition. Herr
Theodor Lerner. then reverted to his
original plan of sailing around North
east Land from the south. Despite great
difficulties created by the ice and fogs
the Helgoland succeeded i'm making the
passage The value OF this perform
ance Is held by the explorers 10 consist
i'm the proof Ii affords that despite the
tremendous obstacles i'm the contrary
polar currents, the passage northward
Us not an impossibility. Ii was found
that the great island is actually situat-
ed some ten minutes northward OF its
position. as indicated in the maps. The
most northerly point reached by the ex-
pedition was 81 degrees and SO min
utes, where the fringe of the pack ice
was met. The return journey was made
through the Hinloopen Straits. the Bis
Couftu. anu flons tne east OF
Barentsland. From Hopes Island ran
id astronomical observations were
taken to determine the latitude and
longitude as well as the direction of
the south coast OF the land Thick fog
rendered similar observations on the
north side impossible. The expedition
owing to "A heavy strom. was unable to
land on Bear Island. The vessel which
was driven sixty miles out of her
course, finally made for Hammerfest
which she reached safely.
The geological results OF the expedi-
tion are described as particularly val
liable. Drag nets were used at twenty
FIVE stations eastward of King Charles
Land and at the extreme north of
Spitzbergen at "A depth OF 1000 meters.
The material gathered will require
years OF investiga tion before it's value
can be scientifically ascertained.
In abolition to a large number OF
seals and reindeers twentv-four polar
bears were secured. including speci-
mems of extraordinary size as we'll as
four young ones, which are being trans
ported living to GERMANY. Professor
Richard Friese. the well-known ami
NAL PAINTER who accompanied the ex-
pediticn. was enabled tn make some
exceedingly interesting sketches. The
expedition. after few days stoD at
Tromsoe for reftting, will sail unon the
second half Of It's journey.--London
Times