The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-02-12

l6S degrees OF longitude-while the
distance across 1t exceeds by many
hundred miles that from the north.
ernmost point of North America to
the lsthmus of Panama.
The survey OF these remote regions
was but one OF the many progressive
improvements for Russia initiated by
that luminous character. Peter the
Great Planned in his last years,
this most extended of geographic sur
Veys ever attempted was known as
the Great Northern expedition; 1t
lasted II years, from 1925 to 1742.
It's results gave fame to Bering. Mura.
vief. to the Laptiefs. to Prontschischef
and others. In later days they were
followed by Kotzebue. Wrangel, Anjou
and Sannikof.
How Russia has persistently pursued
maritime policy for the develop.
ment of Siberian trade has been
FULLY set forth by Gen. j. de Schokal-
sky, Russian imperial navy. in vari-
GUS publications. Safe routes of nav.
igation TO and from the valleys OF
the Yenesei, of the Lena and of other
lesser rivers are absolutely essential
for the prosperity and development
OF this habitable empire, which is
half as large again as is the United
States. Siberia is no longer a coun-
try of convicts, but a land swarming
with pioneers, wondrous leaven
among its 10,OG0.0OO OF inhabitants.
a,
the north end of Nova Zembia have
been tested. but neither has been
found same for commercial ships year
after year. II was then suggested that
a satisfactory route could be found
by entering Bering strait. This would
enable Russia to obtain a Siberian out
let, with Vladivostok as the main port.
to which would be shipped the prod
ucts OF the vast region to the east of
Cape Chelyuskin.
In the summer of 1912 two power.
ful ice-breakers. the Taimyr and the
made safely a voyage via
Bering strait to and from the Lena.
anu surveys were made en-
route, but ice conditions around Cape
Chelyuskin prevented the ships from
returning to Russia through the Kara
sea.
Early in July, 1913. the Ice breakers
Valgatz and Taimyr left Vladivostok
10 prosecute their surveys ana to re-
new their efforts to round Cape Chel-
yuskin and return to st. Petersburg
through the Kara sea
The expedition was under command
of General Sergelef, imperial Russian
navy. who was incapacitated by a
stroke OF apoplexy. Lieutenant VIII
Sitzky, imperial navy. succeeding to
he command. made a running survey
1f the Asiatic coast from the Kolyma
liver, latitude 20 degrees north. longi.
.ude 100 degrees east. to Cape Chel-
1uskin. II is the first time that this ,
,ape has been visited by a ship COM
ng from the eastward. Wilkitzky's
hopes OF completing the circumnavi-
cation Of Asia were destroyed in longi- |
ude SO degrees east, where he found |
IN impenetrable barrier of solid !
ce
rs sAN SEQ was optu 70 the DOrtn, |
he decided TO explore this unknown
.rea OF the Siberian ocean. To his
Istonishment. he soon sighted high
,eaks. the submits OF a new land. In |
attitude 81 degrees north, longitude !
90 degrees east he landed, hoisted |
he Russian imperial colors, took pos
ession OF the land in the name Of the
izar and named 1t Nicholas Second |
and.
Wilkitzky followed the land north.
ward, finding 1t with continuing
trena. In latitude 81 I
Iegrees north. longitude SO degrees
ast. he found a pack OF solid ice
which forbade further progress
hough the land reached as far as the
ye could see. Retracing his course,
he southern extremity OF the new
and was found in latitude 10 de-
'rees north. longitude 104 degrees
asst, whence the coast took a trend
o the northeast. The land is thus !
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