THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH-EAST PASSAGE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 266, 20 November 1879, Page 6

THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH-EAST PASSAGE.

The correspondent of tbe New York Herald at Yokohama, Japan, telegraphs under date September 4, as follows : — " Vega arrived here, and I have seen Nordenakjold, who says he left Gothenburg on July 4, 1878, and in four days arrived at Tromsoe, where be laid in furs and necessaries. Between Waigat and the continent no ice was met, and crossing the Kara Sea in four days made Port Dickson. Passing mouth of Yenessei River, steered north-east, but ice somewhat arrested progress. Ia four days arrived at Tsjoyr, and, on August 19, Tsejdskio, the extreme northern point of Asia. After a short rest, coasted the peninsula, meeting with little ice. On tbe 26th passed the entrance of the River Lena, and turned towßrls the New Siberian Islands, but they were not explored, owing to the ice. After crossing the mouth of the Kolyna River fouud open water, but soon after this our difficulties commenced, and increased daily. We were much delayed off Cook's Cape, Vankaroma, but crossed to Kolinchin ou Sapt. 27, and were there imprisoned from the 28th. Tsbtcbi Settlement I ps in 67deg. 7min. north. 173 .eg. 24 nia. west, and here we wintered in the midst of pack ice, land being one mile distant. Our health and spirits were excellent, and there was no scurvy. Our shortest day consisted of three hours' daylight, only upper limb of the euu being visible. Scientific and ethnographic studies were busily pursued. Some 4,000 inhabitants, called Tohiktcbis, living in several villages, and supporting themselves by fishing and sealing, supplied the expedition with necessaries. We found here abundance of bears and reindeer. Cold was iolenee, averaging 36 centigrade. Game was abundant, aud in spring wild-fowl came innumb.rs. For 364 days we were detained in the ice, but at length released, sailed on July 18 aud passed East Cape, Bab ring's Straits, on the 20. h. We have thus accomplished our objec', and established by practical proof tbe feasibility of the north-east passage. Then, cruising down the Asiatic coast, we reached St. Lawrence Biy and crosse 1 to Port Clarence, America, recrosaed to Kooiyan, drudging carefully as we went to ascertain tho formation of tba bottom, nnd to got specimens, for the position is one of especial interest, as it marks the meeting of the currents of the Arctic »n I Pactfi. Oceans. We touched at S;. Lawrence Island, and alao visited Behring'. Island, where we received first news from Europe through the reeident agent of tbe Alaska Trading Company. We found here the fossil remains of an immense marina animal, probably Rhytina Stellari. We left tbe island on August 19, and had a pleasant voyage till 31st, when there was a gale, with lightning, which split our maintop aod injured slightly several men. Arrived at Kokohama at 10.30 ou tbe evening of the 2. d, all well. No deaths occurred during the voyage. Vega is tbe first to make tbe passage. Professor Nordenakjold thinks the voyage frora Europe to Asia by Behi ring's Straits certain and safo with a little more experience of the northern

seas. From Japan to Lena no difficulty, be says, presents itself to skilful sailors, and, as the Lena taps Central Sibtria, there is a largo prospective trade. Vega stops 14 days at Yokohama.