The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-22
FAMOUS EXPLORER IS SAFE.
sTEFANSSOy RETURNS AFTER
DISCOVERY OF LAND.
Has Discovered Great Body South OF
Prince Patrick Island-Tclls of Ills
Travels I'm Seven Months ON Ice on
short Ratlons.

discovered a new land In the North
and accomplished practically every
purpose for which his hazardous jour-
ney was undertaken. according to
word brought here by the power
schooner Ruby. which arrived yester-
day from Herschei island.
Stefansson. with two companions.
storker Storkerson and ole Anderson.
set out from Martin Point. Alaska.
March 22. 1914. over the frozen polar
ocean to search for supposed new
lands In the Beaufort sea.
Capt. s. Il. Cottle. master of the
Ruby. says that Stefansson now Is on
Banks land. east of the Mackenzie
outhtting for continuance OF the ex-
plorations to the westward to ascer-
tain the full extent of the new land
ne has discovered south of Prince
Patrick's island. Stefansson discovered
n continuance OF the continental shelf
several degrees west OF Banks land
and even determined its southern linn
but WIS 10 COnUlnue Ills
explorations to the north and west.
stefanssol told Capt. Cottle that
after leaving the supporting party on
the Ice north OF Martin point he and
his hardy companions set their faces
To the north. bW after continuing
their journey 80 days. they decided to
return TO land. They turned back and
landed on the mainland at a point
near which the power boat Mary
Sachs. OF the Stefansson expedition,
was winterins. Here the three men
outfitted for another three months
trip. They again went upon the ice.
going north and west and discovering
the continental shelf.
Stefansson spent some time explor-
ing his new ind. but at length, owing
To scarcity OF provisions. was compell-
ed to set out on the return journey 10
land. The men had been on the ice
for nearly seven months. The return
TO shore was accomplished with grea,
difficulty. The men subsisted on the
most meagre fations, but kept moving
day after day. The dogs were almost
famished. Finally the party arrived
at Banks islands. thoroughly worn out
For seven months they had been on
scanty ration9. travelling most con-
tinuously.
Stefansson and his companions
made their way from Banks island,
which Is uninhabited TO Bailey islaul,
which Is visited by whalers. Capt.
Louis Lane. cruising on his power
schooner Polar Bear. found Stefans-
son and his companions making their
way along the southwestern coast OF
Bailey island.
They were In excellent health and
spirits and eager to reach the south
ern wing OF the expedition, that they
might obtain supplies and continue
their explorations.
stefansson had expected to fall in
with the Polar Bear just as he did.
He Immediately chartered the schoon-
er and with Capt. Lane proceeded
northward at once in the hope of
making discoveries while the sea was
open and free OF ice. The season was
too far advanced. however, and the
explorers reluctantly steered fo-
Herschel island. The Polar Bear was
at Herschel when the power schoon-
er Ruby. which had been trying for
two years TO reach the island, arrived
there from Port Clarence with sup
plies for the Hudson Bay company.
Immediately upon his arrival mt
Herschel. stefansson began prepa-
rations for his explorations. He pur-
chased the Polar Bear for $4,000
from Capt. Lane and bought also the
power boat Gladiator. small ves-
sci engaged I'm trading along the
coast. After fully equipping these
vessels ctefa nsson sailed with them 70
Banks island. where he probably is
now.
IL Is :he intention OF Stefansson 10
establish base on Banks land AMI
continue his exploration from tha;
point The time OF the return OF the
expedition can not be foretold. "a
Btefanssnn intends to continue until
he has fully ascertained the limits of
the new land discovered. lie will also
seek other new lands.
stefansson told Capt. Cottle that
except during few days before
reaching Banks land he and his two
companions suffered no particular
hardship. Although on very short
rations during the entire seven
mnnIha On tho loo thn. nIu....-. n