The sun., 1904-08-15
FIGHrING ICE IN BARENTs SEA.

The cablegrams from w. 8. Champ, VINO
is trying to carry supplies on the steamer
Trithjof to the Zegler- Fiala Arctic expe-
dition in Franz Josef Land, saying that he
has been unable to reach that archipelago.
bring the first news that the unfavoraole
ice conditions Of the past two years are
continued this season.
Mr.. Champs task was to carry supplies
from Troms8, in north Norway. to the head
quarters OF the expedition In Franz JOSEF
Land, about q thousand miles to the north
east The journey Ia made through barents
Sea between Spitzbergen and Nova Zem-
bla. Since Franz Josef Land was disoov-
cred In 1878. the round trip across these
waters has often been made by steamers IN
q single season. The sea is sometimes
almost entirely free from ice but at other
times 1t Is covered with heavy foe Ice
through which it is impossible to force
way.
1t Is unfortunate for Mr.. Ziegler's polar
enterprise that the past three seasons have
been very bad Ice years In Barents Sea. II
is quite unusual for these waters to be ice
choked for so long time. The Inadequate
vessel that carried supplies to jackson
during his three years in Franz Josef Land
and later the Duke Of the Abruzzi expedi-
ton, had no such formidable fighting with
the ice as befell the Baldwin relief ship In
1902, the Fiala expedition last year and the
Champ relief party this season. For three
years the prevailing easterly winds have
brought great masses Of Ice from the Arcec
Ocean and packed Barents Sea. The Dam
ish Meteorological Institute. which pub
fishes annual reports on the Ice conditions
in Arctic waters, has given much evidence
to this effect, not only from the Ziegler ex-
peditions, but also from other Arctic way
farers.
There can hardly fail to be some solici-
tude for the fate Of the Fala expedition. Its
vessel, the America, set out for the Arctic
on July 10, last year, from Yards on the
north coast Of Norway. When west OF Nova
Zembla the expedition reached the edge OF
the ice pack and followed 1t east for many
miles, vainly looking for a lead through
which to push north. On July 20 the Amer
lea fell in with sealer bound for Norway,
and Fiala sent by this vessel the last fnfor-
nation he had an opportunity to despatch.
He said he was about to turn westward and
follow the ice edge toward Spitsbergen, In
the hope OF finding an opening to the north
in that direction.
His hope was evidently realized: but his
further fortunes are problematical. He
may have been lucky enough to reach
Franz Josef Land last fall, but II so It was
too late for the America, according to the
plan. to return to Norway that season.
Considering the ice conditions, we need not
be surprised to hear some day that the ves-
sci was frozen in the pack and spent last
winter helplessly In the Ice between Franz
Josef Land and Europe.
This was exactly the experience OF the
first vessel that went to that archipelago.
The Tegetthof, OF the Austrian expedition,
was caught fast in the closing foe in the
summer OF 1872, and her party had most
miserable time drifting slowly northward
through the darkness Of the following win
ter The vessel never escaped the grip Of
the ice; but on Aug. 80, 1873. shereached the
unknown land which was named In honor
Of the Emperor Of ris-Hungary; and
In the spring Of 1874 the party made their
escape southward by dragging boats to the
edge Of the open sea.
II the expedition was adrift all last win
ter, its plans for establishing supply sta
tons to the uorth for the benefit Of the
sledce party that was to attempt . dash
for the pole last spring must. Of course,
Rave been defeated. Such delay would re-
ouire at least another year In the Arctic
to give the northern sledge journey tho
best possible chance for success.
Whatever fortune the party has met no
news Is now likely to come from 1t for an
other year. unless 1t returns home this fall
Al Baldwin left largo supplies in Franz
Josef Land and the America was also we'll
outftted, the explorers arc In no danger Of
suf1 ering for lack Of food and clothing.
There Is more likelihood that the coal OF
the America Is exhausted; and II II coal that
the relief expedition Is particularly anxious
to carry north.
Mr.. Champ cabled that the conditions
are now more favorable and that his party
would sail again on Aug. s. By 20 doing he
will run considerable risk OF being caught
In the ice for the winter; and II he has the
good luck to reach Franz Josef Land he
cannot possibly return this season. SO
there will be two parties In the mysterious
north region from which cablegrans never
come to allay anxiety; and next spring
other relief measures. the best that can be
devised, will be in order.