CROSSING THE ARCTIC CIRCLE. 259 



whole was Captain Koldewey, a Hanoverian, who had long been a sailor, and who, to fit 

 himself for his new duties, temporarily gave up his profession, in the winters of 1867-8 

 and 1868-9, to study physics and astronomy at the University of Gottingen. With him 

 were associated Dr. Karl N. J. Borgen, and Dr. R. Copeland, an Englishman, who were 

 conjointly to take scientific observations, &c. ; also Julius Payer, a lieutenant in the Imperial 

 Austrian army, on leave. The latter, in particular, joined the expedition with a considerable 

 amount of prestige, derived from an active life spent in the cause of scienoe. Although 

 only twenty-seven years old, he had made and recorded many expeditions in the Alps, and 

 in the mountainous districts of Austria. He had also taken an active part in 1866 in the 

 Italian war. Lastly, to Dr. Adolphus Pansch, surgeon of the Germania, were assigned the 

 departments of zoology, botany, and ethnology. Nearly all of the above had earned their 

 laurels in the scientific literature of Germany. The captain of the Hansa was Paul Friedrich 

 August Hegemann, an experienced navigator; with him were associated two scientific 

 gentlemen, Dr. Bucholz and Dr. Gustavus Laube. 



On May 28th, 1869, Captain Koldewey had an audience of his Majesty King Willkm, 

 at Babelsberg, who expressed his gratification at having secured the services of a leader so 

 energetic. The departure of the expedition took place from Bremerhaven on the loth of June 

 following, in the presence of the King, his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg 

 Schwerin, Count (now Prince) Bismarck, General von Moltke, and other distinguished men. 

 The King- heartily shook the hands of the commander and his scientific corps, and inspected 

 the vessels with much satisfaction. The parting moment at length arrived, and amid the 

 salutes of artillery and hearty cheers from the crowds ashore, the vessels made for the mouth 

 -of the Weser, and put to sea. 



The first part of the voyage was not specially eventful. The vessels several times 

 parted company, but rejoined afterwards. The dense fogs which infest those latitudes 

 were the cause of much anxiety on the part of the commanders. On July the 4th Dr. 

 Copeland shot a gull, which fell in the sea, and was nearly the cause of a serious dis- 

 aster. A sailor, without undressing, jumped overboard after it, and the vessel sailing 

 rapidly was soon a considerable distance from him. He was almost on the point of sinking, 

 when a boat, which had been hastily launched, reached him, and he was drawn out of the 

 water. "Like a drowned poodle/' says the narrative, "the sinner stood once more 

 .amongst us, receiving as a reward a sound lecture from the captain, followed by a good 

 draught of brandy/' On July the 5th they passed the Arctic circle (66 33'), the llama 

 being the first in the race, and the first to unfurl the North German flag. "Conformably 

 to the custom/' says Koldewey, "as on crossing the equator, Neptune came on board to 

 welcome us, and wish us success on our voyage; of course not without all those who had 

 not yet crossed the Arctic circle having to undergo the rather rough shaving and christ- 

 ening customary on such occasions. . . . Universal grog and good fellowship on board 

 both ships brought the ceremony to a close." 



After a separation of many days the vessels again joined on July 18th. A prize of 

 a bottle of wine had been offered on board the Germania to the individual who should 

 first sight the Hansa. Soon after breakfast on that day a sail is discovered from the 

 topmast. It is a schooner, and as the whale fishers do not use such craft it must be 



