THE NORTH-EAST PASSAGE 87 



illiterate agriculturist is not without interest in forming 

 an idea of the future importance of Siberia." 



In fact, Siberia is particularly rich in mineral and 

 agricultural wealth, and this voyage, which opened up 

 the route to and from Europe by the natural outlets 

 to the north, was of such commercial promise that 

 the explorer received for it the special thanks of the 

 Russian Government. As, however, there were people 

 who looked upon it as an exceptional voyage in an ex- 

 ceptional year, Nordenskiold next season took another 

 voyage to the river, this time in the Ymer, carrying 

 the first instalment of merchandise so as to begin the 

 trade ; and he was followed in a few weeks by Captain 

 Joseph Wiggins, in the Thames, whose subsequent 

 voyages made the northern route well known. 



Assured by the experience gained in these voyages 

 that the North-east Passage was possible to a steam 

 vessel of moderate size, Nordenskiold, in 1878, was 

 enabled to fit out the Vega, and sailed from Tromsoe 

 on the 31st of July. Three other vessels accompanied 

 her, two bound for the Yenesei, one for the Lena, the 

 rendezvous being Khabarova. All went well. On the 

 9th of August the Fraser and Express proceeded up 

 the Yenesei to discharge their cargoes and return to 

 Europe in safety ; next day the Vega and Lena left 

 for the eastward, and, after some risky navigation 

 among islands and through fog, lay for four days in 

 Actinia Haven, between Taimyr Island and the main- 

 land, vainly waiting for clear weather. Pushing on 

 through fitful fog they sighted a promontory in the 

 north-east gleaming in the sunshine, and rounding its 

 western horn anchored in a bay open to the north and 



