Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-14
THE RUSSIAN EXPEDITION.
Left Vladivostock, June 10, 1913-Met
With Numerous Difficulties.

ST. Michacl Alaska, Oct 13.-The
Russian flagship Taimyr and its con-
sert, the Waygatch, which constitute
a Russian Polar expedition under
Commander Wilkit2ky, which left
Viadivostoek, June 10, of this year,
reached st. Michael, stormbound. Oct.
Q. and brought TO that port news of
the discovery north of Siberia in Lay.
81 North. Long. 104 East. OF new
uninhabited mountainous land, posi-
bly, a continent. The expedition iahd-
ed with difficulty, raised the Russian
flag and took possession in the name
of the Gar. Commander Wilkitzky
christened the new land Nicholas
Second Land
The expedition sailed from Nladl-
vostock eastward along the Siberian
coast to Long. sc east. Commander
Wilkitzky says the shore of the new
continent where the expedition land
ed and long which the vessels travelled
is rocky with high abrupt cliffs, FORM
ed evidently from volcanic activity
Volcanoes of the district may possibly
have been active recently, he SAID.
MANY high peaks we're discernible in
land from the vessels and what seem
ed to be vapor could be seen arising
from one of these The temperature
taken in the water near the shore line
was 5I.s degrees f., while that taken
on the shore was 62.6 degrees +. The
land was covered with snow almost 10
the sea.
In July and August, the expedi-
ton saw much evidence of the pres
ence on the land of reindeer. Many
walrus were seen and bird life was
plentiful. A number of polar bears
also were noticed. The vegetation on
the new land Commander Wilkitzky
announced was scanty
The expedition Commander WilkitZky
stated. crulsed northwestery along the
margin of the newly discovered land III
Lat. 81. Long SO East. 1t was forced 10
turn away from the land, which stili eN-
| tended in northwesterly direction be-
yond the solid ice packs They then toi-
lowed the shore along a southwesteriy
| direction.
The expedition eruised along the shore
| line as fas as possible In Lat. 96 de-
prees 40 minutes north it was forced
away from the land by ice and then II
l
and Henrietta's islands. Bennett island
| he said, had been placed too far nortf
| by De Long, and is much smaller thai
had been formerly reported
The expedition now was in the oper
| Polar sea and continued east to Long. III
| West then south through Behrng straits
| including a call at Amadiar bay. of
| Oct, 3, the most severe gale experienced
| by the officers aboard drove the vessels
4 east of the Lawrence islands. The storm
| continued with great violence unit
Oct Z.
| the course pursued by the EXPLORING
| ships Vega, Fran and Nicholas second
| land, the Russian expedition discovered
several small islands. No evidence o
| mineral was seen on any of the newt!
discovered lands.
The vessels will proceed from here al
| rectly to Vladivostok in a few days, hav
ing obtained an ample supply ofs Goa
| here The officers and crews of the ship
are being entertained by the officers and
men of the 18th Regiment, United States
Infantry, stationed here. The great cor
| diality shown officers and men of thu
! Russian ships created very favorable
| impression. Commander Wilkitzky is {
Young man of attractive appearance ant
| manner. He takes his honors modestly
/ giving fun credit to his officers and sea
men.