Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1879 — THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. [ARTICLE]

THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA.

The Passage of the Northeastern Seas Made for the First Time—Nearly Fourteen Months Consumed in the Great Undertaking—Prof. NordensKjold Sanguine of the Utilityof the Route for Commerce. Prof. Nordenskjoid’s Arctic expedition, of the safety of which fears were for a long time entertained, recently arrived at Yokohama, Japan, in good condition, and all its members in excellent health, having accomplished the Northeast passage. The safety of the Swedish explorer and his followers, now assured, will be a source of gratification to the civilized world, while to a large class of scientists in both hemispheres it cannot fail to promise great and lasting pleasure and profit. The long absence of the professor, the fears entertained for so extended a time that his life had been sacrificed in his endeavor to serve and enlighten his own and succeeding generations, together with the widespread and constantly-ex-panding interest in Arctic explorations, will add to the impatience with which the publication of his discoveries and newly-formed impressions is awaited. The intrepid explorer gives the following particulars of his interesting voyage: “ We sailed frdm Gothenburg, July 4, 1878, and four days’ sail brought us to Tromsoe, where our outfit of furs and necessaries for high latitudes was completed. Here we were joined by the companion steamer, Lena. July 25. both sailed from Tromsoe, and passed through the Yugor strait Aug. 5. There was not a particle of ice seen between Waigatsch and the continent. The Karaza, hitherto dreaded by all sailors in Arctic regions, was equally free from ice, and anchor was cast at Port Dickson, near the mouth of the Yenesee on Aug. 6. After three days’ delay there the two steamers of our expedition steered northeast, toward the dreaded Taimur land and North cape. Ice arrested our passage, and we were compelled to remain at Tagoyr four days. Aug. 19, Tzydekin, the extreme northern port of Asia, was reached, where a short rest was taken. The Yega coasted the peninsula, very little ice being encountered, and anchored at the mouth of the Lena river, Aug. 20. To the northeastward were the islands of New Siberia, which we soon sighted, but were unable to explore because of the great field of ice that girt their shores. The mouth of Koiwya river, a broad estuary, was found open, and we hastened td make all possible progress eastward. Our difficulties soon began, however, and increased daily. We were delayed much by ice between Cape Cook and Van Karema. We crossed Kolintschin bay on Sept. 27, with comparative ease, but were imprisoned on the 28th near the Tchuktchi settlement. We wintered in pack ice at this point, one mile from land. The entire ship’s company maintained the best of health and spirits. Not a single case of scurvy occurred on board. During the shortest day the sun was over the horizon less than three hours, and then only the upper limb was visible. At this point much time was devoted to interesting scientific and ethnographic studies. There were 4,000 inhabitants in the several villages near by, who subsisted by fishing and sealing. They are called Tchuktchi, and are a very agreeable class of people for an explorer to meet. They supplied the expedition with bear and reindeer meat. The cold was intense, averaging 32.2 deg. below Fahrenheit. The game was abundant in the spring, wild fowl being taken in large numbers. We were detained in ice at this point 264 days, but were released on July 18, 1879, and passed East cape into Behring straits on the 20th. “ Such is the story of our voyage. I fully accomplished the object for which the expedition was sent out by Dr. Dickson, namely a practical proof of the existence of a Northeast passage. Then the Asiatic coast was followed and St. Lawrence bay was crossed to Port Clarence, Alaska. Thence we crossed to Kovingan, dredging carefully in order to determine the formation of the bottom of the sea, many specimens of the fauna and flora being obtained. The location, breadth, velocity, and approximate volume of the currents of the Arctic and Pacific polar currents were charted and calculated. “ Having touched at St. Lawrence island, we next proceeded to Behring bland, where we received the first news from Europe, through the resident agent of the Alaska Trading Company. The fossil remains on Behring island are of immense variety. A new marine animal was here discovered, which was named rhytina stellari. The Yega left the island on Aug. 19, and had a pleasant voyage until Aug. 31, when a severe gale was encountered, accompanied with lightning. During the storm the lightning struck and shivered the maintopmast, slightly injuring several men. We arrived off Yokohama at half-past 8, Sept. 2. Ail are well, and no deaths have occurred during the voyage. The Vega is the first vessel to make the passage, and I think the voyage from Europe to Asia by Behring’s strait is certain and safe, with very little more experience of navigation in the northern seas. From Japan to the mouth of the Lena river there are no difficulties in the proper season for experienced sailors. The Lena river taps Central Siberia, and a large prospective trade can readily be developed. The Vega will remain at Yokohama about fourteen days.”