The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-09-10
Arctic Rescue
Very Thrilling

Vario that the soviet government was
equipping II new expedition.
Soon afterward we received a d.
rect inquiry from the Kanada as to
our position. which we Immediately
telegrapl'ed both to the Kanada and
the Solovei. ut the same time asking
them to give lis theirs. The lsanada
replied asking us to stop for con-
versntion. and IN the conversation
which followed with COnmissar Of
Marine Mikhailoff and Captain Moka-
loft of the Kanada it was explained
that the vessel had been dispatched
by the soviet government in order to
give assistance if it should he neceS-
sary or in case there should he diff
cultieS If any sort in consequence "f
the political changes which had &C.
Cured since the Solovei had left
Arc'ansel. II appeared also that they
had orders to bring the ship back to
Archanyel direct.
Exciting Race in ice.laden Sea.
After the conference was over.
therefore there began an exciting race
between the two ships. The ice
through which we had to force n pas
sage was very different from that we
l'ad had to tackle before. This was
the ordinary polar ice of the Kara sea-
closely packed. with only n few small
gaps Of open water. | had very little
hore of getting through. and that we
did succeed was due only to the re-
markable qualities of the SviatOgor
as an icebreaker.
With full steam up from all Of her
ten boilers she burst her way splen.
,lidly through the strong pack ice.
Now and then she was beaten and
had TO hack and make a fresh attack
at full speed. 1t was not often that
more than two attempts had to be
made. but it happened sometimes that
the maneuvers had to be repeated nine
ar ten times where the ice was 20 feet
thick or more.
At first the kanada had n little
start, hut the roles were soon changed.
The Sviatogor went ahead ana con-
t!nue,l to increase her lead. and when
at last. ut 30 in the evening. we
sighted the Solovei far away north
ward on the horizon. the kanada had
fallen far behind.
At about the same time we re.
cpived the following message from the
Solovei: I'VE see your smoke in the
south, 20 degrees east" We were de-
lighted by this message. which made
us realize that our hard-tried and
anxious friends on hoard the Solovei
were in high hopes Of relief.
Thrilling Night on ieebreaker.
In the SviatOgOr all were keenly
alive to the anxiety and seriousness
Of the situation. and followed with
eager interest the display Of prowess
given by the iccbreaker during these
hours If the night. OF the crew all
who were not actually keeping watcl,
were on deck hour after hour discuss
Ing and marvelling at the carrying fea.
lures Of this extraordinary drama
Some stood leaning over the rails 81
as better to enjoy the sight of the
great blocks Of Ice. now crushed into
fragments before our bows. now
hurled in q whirling mass along the
ship's sides-and all to a wild accom-
panl,nent Of deafpning crashes in the
ice. and Of grOans and walls ant
shrieks from the hartl-pressetl vessels
hull and rig and engines.
Suddenly an ice tlne would rise ant
threaten to fall over the ships rail
and then the sailors were not slow Il
heating Il retreat to safer quarters
Others. who stood In groups right for
ward in bows. Jared no better. When
as frequently happened. the sh'l
crashed ut full speed against reall,
high solid block of ice. and Mt tn
same time rose several feet in the nj
shower Of spray and ice splinter
flew over the deck and forced the i'm
prudent spectators to headlOng re
treat.
In the meantime We were approach
ing the SOlovei. hut It was slow bus
ness. The ice became worse and w0rs
In the last stage. and II was mic
night when we reached her. An hou
more was required before we c0ul
moor the Sviatogor by her side. 20 bi
and thick were the surrounding &c
does.