The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-24
FEARS FOR ANTARCTIC PARTY.
sweden VIII Probably Send Vessel TO
Relieve the NOrlenski told Expedition

Much anxiety is beginning TO he felt in
Sweden for the safety OF the antarc'!e
expedition commanded by DR. Otto Nor
denskiold which left that country on oct
10, 1901, on the steamer Antarctic. News
should have been received from the ex-
petition at least three months ago. wheh
the whole party was expected to return
to the Falkland Islands on it's way home.
II the party desired to spend another
year In the Antarctic IL was to he expected
at least, that it's steamer would have come
north to report the fact and secure further
supplies. But as no news whatever has bee
received since DR., Nordenskiold made his
first report from Graham Land. there is
good reason for planning TO send II relief
expedition. The Government Of Sweden
introduced a bill in the Riksdag, on May
Q, granting 900 for the equipment OF
vessel to he sent out In search OF the
explorers.
After the steamer Antarctic left Sweden.
In October, 1901. she proceeded to Buenos
Ayres and then went to Staten Island,
TERRA del Fuego, where the Argentine
Government had established a magnetic
observatory for cooperation with the Ant
arctic expeditions. Then she started for
Graham Land, on Jan. 6, Of last year,
and sailed south across Drake Strait with
a LIGHT wind and an almost smooth sea,
no Ice being In sight during the whole
passage
On Jan. II, 1909, the first Antarctic land
came into view. 1t was King George Island
in the South Shetlande The island pre-
sented, with it's unbroken mantle of Ice and
snow, q scene Of unsurpassed desolation
which contrasted strongly with the almost
lu1uriant vegetation the explorers had
seen In the last land left behind.
The ship put into cove on Nelson Island.
whore q small extent OF ground was found
amount Of vegetation In shape Of moses,
hchens and alge, affording home to many
small insects and even a small beetle. the
first ever found in tho Antarctic.
The poverty Of the land. however. was
far greater than is ever the case In the
Arctic. while, on the other hand. the sea
revealed wealth Of life which could hardly
be surpassed, and included not only
shrimps and other Of the lower forms. but
tish In astonishing numbers, with multi
tudes Of whales and seals.
Continuing the voyage the explorers
entered the channel first shown by Dur
vile on tho west side Of Louis Philippe
Land, where they made an interesting dis
covery. Louis Philippe Land had been
supposed to be an island. and is 80 repre-
scented on the maps: but 1t proved to be
only the extremity OF the land mass known
as Graham Land
In order TO reach the east coast OF Graham
Land the objective point OF the voyage,
II was thus necessary to turn back and
double the northern point Of Louis Philippe
Land An attempt was then made to fol-
low the coast southwark. but it was I'M
euocessful. owing to tho immense masses
Of ice which extended to the Antarctic
Circle. After sounding and dredging along
the edge Of the pack. DR.. Nordenskiold
turned toward the land on Fob. IL and pro-
pared his winter quarters. at Adm ra.ty
Inlet. Graham Land, south Of Cockburn
Island.
He had not gone a. far south as he hoped
to, but his winter quarters were erected
in a favorable position and he expected
during the winter months to make sledge
Journeys over the land and thus extend
knowledge OF that region further south.
The Antarctic loft him and his five COM
panions at their winter quarters and re-
turned to South America with the news
above outlined.
In November last, about the beginning
Of the Antarctic summer. the vessel sailed
south again to take part in the summer
work OF the expedition. 1t was not ex-
pected that she would remain, but the
distinct plan was that, after continuing
the work till early this year, the vessel
with the entire expedition should return
North in February. She did not return
according to the programme and therefore
steps are Icing taken to send out a relief
expedition.