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INTRODUCTION. 1 1 



probably be Gothenburg. The time of departure is fixed for 

 the beginning of July, 1878. The course will be shaped at first 

 along the west coast of Norway, past North Cape and the 

 entrance to the White Sea, to Matotschkin Sound in Novaya 

 Zemlya. 



The opening of a communication by sea between the rest 

 of Europe and these regions, by Sir Hugh Willoughby and 

 Richard Chancelor in 1553, was the fruit of the first exploring 

 expedition sent out from England by sea. Their voyage also 

 forms the first attempt to discover a north-east passage to 

 China. The object aimed at was not indeed accomplished ; but 

 on the other hand, there was opened by the voyage in question 

 the sea communication between England and the White Sea; 

 the voyage thus forming a turning-point not only in the 

 navigation of England and Russia, but also in the com- 

 merce of the world. It also demanded its sacrifice. Sir Hugh 

 Willoughby himself, with all the men in the vessels under 

 his command, having perished w^hile wintering on the Kola 

 peninsula. In our days thousands of vessels sail safely along 

 this route. 



With the knowledge we now jDossess of the state of the ice 

 in the Murman Sea — so the sea between Kola and Novaya 

 Zemlya is called on the old maps — it is possible to sail during 

 the latter part of summer from the White Sea to Matotschkin 

 without needing to fear the least hindrance from ice. For 

 several decades back, however, in consequence of want of 

 knowledge of the proper season and the proper course, the 

 case has been quite different — as is sufficiently evident from 

 the account of the difficulties and dangers which the renowned 

 Russian navigator, Count Llitke, met with during his repeated 

 voyages four summers in succession (1821-1824) along the west 

 coast of Novaya Zemlya. A skilful walrus-hunter can now, with a 

 common walrus-hunting vessel, in a single summer, sail further 

 in this sea than formerly could an expedition, fitted out with 

 all the resources of a naval yard, in four times as long time. 



There are four ways of passing from the Murman Sea to 

 the Kara Sea, viz : — 



a. Yugor Sound — the Fretum Nassovicum of the old Dutch- 

 men — between Vaygats Island and the mainland. 



h. The Kara Port, between Vaygats Island and Novaya 

 Zemlya. 



c. Matotschkin Sound, which between 73° and 74° N. Lat. 

 divides Novaya Zemlya into two parts, and finally, 



d. The course north of the double island. The course past 

 the northernmost point of Novaya Zemlya is not commonly 

 clear of ice till the beginning of the month of Sei^tember, 

 and perhaps ought, therefore, not to be chosen for an expedition 



