DISCOVERY OF THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 957, 22 November 1879, Page 2

DISCOVERY OF THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE.

The correspondent of the New York Herald at Yokohama, Japan, telegraphs under date Sept. 4th as follows : — Vega arrived here, and I have seen Nordenskiold, who says he left Gothenburg on July 4th, 1878, and m four days arrived at Tromsoe, where he laid m furs and necessaries. Between Waigat and the continent no ice was met, and crossing the Kara Sea m four days made Port Dickson. Passing mouth of Yenesei river, steered north-east, but ice somewhat arrested progress. In four days arrived at Tajoyr, and on August 19th Tseidskin, the extreme northern point of Asia. After a short rest, coasted the peninsula, meeting with little ice. On the 26th, passed the entrance of the river Lena, and turned towards the New Siberian islands, but they were not explored owing to the ice. After crossing the mouth of the Kolyna river found open water, but soon after this our difficulties commenced and increased daily. We were much delayed off Cook's Cape, Vankarema, but crossed to Kolintchin on Sept. 27, and were then imprisoned from the 28th. Tshutchi settlement

lies m 77 deg. 7 mm. north, 173 deg. 24 mm. west, and here we wintered m the midst of pack ice, land being about ! one mile distant. Our health and spirts were excellent, and there was no scurvy. Our shortest day consisted of three hours daylight, only upper limb of the sun being visible. Scientific and ethnographic studies were busily pursued. Some 4000 inhabitants, called Tchiktchis, living m several villages, and supporting themselves by fishing and sealing, supplied the expedition with necessaries. We found abundance of bears and reindeer. Cold was intense, averaging 36 Centigrade. Game was abundant, and m spring wild fowl came m numbers. For 264 days we were detained m the ice, but at length released, sailed on the 18th of July, and passed East Cape, Behring's Straits, on the 20th. We have thus accomplished our object and established by practical proof the feasibility of the North-East passage. Then, cruising down the Asiatio coast, we reaohed St. Lawrence Bay and crossed to Port Clarence, America, recrossed to Koniyan, dredging carefully as we went to ascertain the formation of bottom, and to get specimens, for the position is one of especial interest, as it marks the meeting of the currents of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. We touohed at St. Lawrence Island, and also visited Behring's Island, where we received first news from Europe, through the resident agent of the Alaska Trading company. We found here the fossil remains of an immense marine animal, probably ißHytina Stellari. We left the island on August 19th, and had a pleasant voyage till 31st, when there was a gale, with lightning, which split our maintop and injured slightly several men. Arrived; at Yokohama 10.30 on the evening of the 2nd, all being well. No deaths occurred during the voyage. Vega-is the first to make the passage. Professor Nordenskiold thinks the voyage from Europe to Asia by Behring's Straits certain and safe with a little more experience of the northern seas. From Japan to Lena, no difficulty, he says, presents itself to skilful sailors, and as the Lena taps Central Siberia, there is a large prospective trade. Vega stops 14 days at Yokohama. Russian vessel, Nordenskiold, sent out to search for the professor when he was iced up, was lost off Yeddo on August 5 ; all hands saved.