ARCTIC TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 306, 19 September 1908, Page 10

ARCTIC TRAGEDY.

a — ' '.. EXPLORER FROZEN TO DEATH. The Coramitteo of the Denmark Greenland Expedition received a telegram on August 6 announcing that Mr. Mylius Erichsen tho loader of the expedition, and two companions, a Dane and an Eskimo, havo perished in a snowstorm. Tho general work of tho expedition has, however, been successfully accomplished, and the wholo northeastern coast of Greenland has been charted. Mr. Erichsen and his two companions were driven on to aa icc-1100 during a snowstorm, and they drifted away from laud. Their provisions being exhausted the explorers became so weak that they wore unable to ireturn to the station. Tho Eskimo who brought the news arrived in a dying condition, and succumbed immediately after making his report. The expedition left Copenhagen on June 25, -1906, says lleutor, and was under the leadership of Mr. Mylius Erichsen. It consisted of twenty-seven men, scientists and crew. Tho object of the party was to explore tho unknown north-east coast of Greenland lying between tho 7otli and 83rd degrees of latitude, 'l'lio plans of the expedition were to land on Shannon Island or Cape Bismarck. After wintering -olf Shannon Island twelve men in groups of three wcro to undertake sledgo expeditions to tho north. After the winter of 1907, which was to bo spent on the 73rd parallel, sledging expeditions in groups of three wero to bo carried out on tho inland ice of Greenland. Mr. Erichsen was a- man experienced in exploring work, and he took part in a former expedition to the opposite sido of Greenland. His inteutien was to survey the coast between the point Teached by the expedition of tho Duko of Orleans and that attained by Commander Peary from tho other side. Tho news received from the expedition does not mako it quite clear whether the -explorers met their death wliilo engaged in coastal work or on an inland expedition. Tho interior of tho country is covered with an inland ice sheet, and is, as far as is known, cut up by deep fjords, probably communicating one with the other in their inner parts. The northern ico around tho coast is -believed to be permanent. Deuso fogs aro very prevalent.