Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-18
STEFANSSON PARTY
FINDS NEW LAND
Explorer Who Was Given Up for
Lost Sends Message to Ottawa,
Dated August 81.
WILL CONTINUE OBSERVATIONS


NOME, Alaska. Sept. 1.-THE
power schooner Ruby arrived from
Herschel Island, on the Arctic coast,
west of the mouth OF the Mackenzie
river. yesterday afternoon. with news
that Vilhjalmur stefansson, the Can
adian exploder, who with two COM
panions, Storker Storkerson and ole
Anderson. set out from Martin Point,
Alaska. March %. 1914, over the
frozen Polar ocean, to search for sup
posed new lands in the Beaufort Sea,
is not only alive and we'll, but has
accomplished every purpose for which
the hazardous journey was under
taken.
Captain S. F. Cottle, master of the
Ruby, says that stefansson is now on
Banks Land, east OF the Mackenzie.
cutfitting for continuance OF explora-
lions to the westward, to ascertain
the full extent OF new land he dis
covered southwest of Prince Patrick
Island.
New Land Discovered.
Stefansson discovered = continuance
OF the continental shelf several degrees
west of Banks Land and even determined
its southern limits, but was unable 20
continue his explorations TO the north
and west
s,efansson told Captain Cottie that
after leaving the supporting party on
the ice north OF Martin point. he and
his hardy companions set their faces 10
tho north. but after continuing their
journey ninety days. they decided 20 re-
turn 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 wintering
Here the three men QUILTED for another
three months trip. They again went
upon tho ice. going north and west and
discovering the continental shelf.
seven Months On Ice.
Stefansson spent some time exploring
his new find. but at length, owing TO
scarcity of provisions. was compelled TO
set out on the return journey 20 land
The men had been on the Ice for nearly
seven months. The return TO shore was
accomplished with great difficulty. The
men subsisted on the most meaEer ra-
tions. but kept moving day after day.
The dogs were almost furnished. Finally
the party arrived at Banks Land. thor
oughly worn out For seven months they
had been on seanty rations, travelling al
most continuously.
Stefansson and his companions made
their way from Banks Land, which Is
uninhabited. 10 Baillie Island, which is
visited by whalers. Captain Louis Lane.
cruising on his power schooner, Polar
Bear. found stefansson and his conn
rades making their way along tho south
western coast OF Baillie Island. They
were In excellent health and spirits and
eager to reach the southern wing of the
expedition, that they might obtain sup
plies and continue their explorations
Will Continue Exploration.
OTTAWA. Ont, Sept i7.-Announce-
merit was made In government quarters
today that VflhJalmar stefansson, the
Arctic explorer, had been heard from and
was safe. Staffansson had not previously
been heard from since April, 1914, ana Il
had generally been believed that no had
several companions had been lost.
The message from stefansson was No
the naval department and was dated from
Baiilie Island. August 81. via Nome,
Alaska. Sept. ie and stated that he was
10 continue his northern exploration. The
message follows:
las unavoidable delays threatened and
the running cost of charterfng Polar Bear
was high. / purchased II and engaged II
on terms similar 20 Karluk. Engaged
Hoff, engineer OF schooner Ruby, 20 take
place OF Blue OF Alaska. Engaged five
extra helpers for southern parts. who
have ample outfit for one year and Polar
Bear for two years. Plan continued north
ern explorations 70 hundred ana forty
five west and eighty-two farther north, Il
northeriy course II secured
With stsfanason when he left Martir
Point. late In March. 1914 were Ole An
derson and storker sterkerson. mon sale
TO be as strong and rosourcefui az stef-
ansson himself. They had rifles a sledg'
that could be used as boat. abundance
OF food and other supplies.
Stefansson succeeded beyond eli expeo
tations In his explorations. He dlscov
cred new land southwest Of st. Patrick
land. He n now on Banks Land out
fitting for continuance OF explorations 4
the westward to ascertain the full exten
OF the new land.