Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-22
THE WELLMAN Discoveries.
Grim story OF Arctic Tragedy.
WeIlman Crippled.

dispatch from Tromsoe, Norway,
Thursday, says: Walter Wellman and
the survivors of the Polar expedition led
by him arrived here this evening on the
steamer CapeIla, having successfully
completed their explorations in Franz
josef Land. Mr. Wellman has discov-
cred important new lands and many
Islands.
The expedition brings a grim story Of
Arctic tragedy. In the autumn of 1898
an outpost. called Port Mckinley, was
established in latitude 81. 1t was house
built of rocks and rooted over with
walrus hide. Two NOrwegians-Paul
BJoervig and Bert Bentzeen, the latter
Of whom was with Nansen on the Fran
remained there.
The main party wintered I'm a canvass
covered hut. called Harmsworth House,
at t'ape Tegethoff on the southern point
of Halls Island, latitude ". About the
middle OF February, before the rise Of the
sun to its winter height, Mr.. Wellman,
with three Norwegians and forty-1ve
dogs, started north. 1t was the earliest
sledge journey on record in that high
latitude.
on reaching Port Mckinley, Mr.. Well
man found Bentzeen dead, but Bjoervlg,
according to promise, had Kept the body
in the house, sleeping beside il through
two months of Arctic darkness. Not
withstanding mis- terrible experience, the
survivor was safe and cheerful.
Pushing Lorthward through rough ice
| and severe storms, with continuous
temperature for ten days between 40 and
! 90 degrees below zero, the party found
new lands north OF Freedom Is and. where
| hansen landed in 1895. BY the middle OF
all nf
ing latitude 81 or 49, If not the pole itself.
Then began a succession OK disasters.
Mr.. Wellman, while leading the party,
fell into snow-covered crevasse, serious
IL injuring one Of his legs and COMPEL
ing retreat. Two days later the party
were reused at midnight by an ioequake
! under them, due TO pressure. In few
moments many dogs were crushed and
the sIedges destroyed. The members of
the expedition narrowly escaped with their
lives, though they managed 10 save their
precious sleeping-bags and some dogs and
provisions.
On Mr. Wellman's condition becoming
alarming, as inflammation set in. the
brave Norwegians dragged him on a
sledge, by forced marches. nearly 200 miles
To- headquarters, arriving there early last
April. Mr.. Welman is still unable TO
walk and will probably be permanently
| crippled.
After reaching headquarters other
members OF the expedition explored re-
gions hitherto unknown. and important
scientific work was done by Lieutenant
Evelyn b. baldwin. OF the United States
Weather Bureau; Or. Edward Hofma, or
Grand Haven. Mich, and a. Harlan, OF
the United States Coast Survey.
The expedition killed forty-seven bears
and many walruses.
The Capella arrived at Cape Tegethofr,
in search OF the expedition, on July 27th
last on August 9Th she met the Stella
Polar. bearing the expedition headed by
Prince Luigi, Duke OF Abruzzi. which mad
sailed from Archangel TO reconnoitre
Northwest Franz Josef Land, and TO
meet, IL possible, the Wellman expedition.
Mr.. Wellman and his companions found
no trace IN Franz Josef Land or the miss
ing aeronaut. Professor Andree.
The expedition headed by Walter Well
man left Tromsoe, Norway. June 2. 1895.
Its object was to explore Franz josef
Land and to reach the pole II possible.
The National Geographical Society Oh
Washington co-operated in the expedl-
ton. The party included Professor J..
III. Gore OF Columbian University. Wash
ington. who went 10 Franz Josef Land 10
make important pendulum observations;
Lieutenant T. b. Baldwin. OF the United
States Weather Bureau. who had serted
as meteorological on previous Peary OK
pedition; Querof Harlan, Of the Coast
Survey, and Dr. Edward Hoffman, Of
Grand Haven. Mich, physician and
zoologlst
Walter Weilman, the commander Of the