CHAPTER VI 



THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EXPEDITION (1872-74) 



The failure of the second German Arctic Expedition to 

 reach a high latitude on the east coast of Greenland 

 directed attention to the seas of Novaya Zemlya. In 

 order, however, that large sums of money might not be 

 spent on a plan which might be unfeasible, it was decided 

 to dispatch a pioneer expedition under the joint command 

 of Lieutenant Weyprecht and Julius Payer. The latter 

 had greatly distinguished himself in the German Ex- 

 pedition. 



In order to diminish expenses, a small sailing ship, the 

 Isbjorn, of 55 tons, was chartered at Tromsoe. She was 

 new and strong, and this was her first voyage. Her bows 

 were protected with sheet iron, 2 feet above, and 2 feet 

 under, water. The crew consisted of eight Norwegians. 



Tromsoe was left on the 20th June 1871. They were 

 detained two days at Sandoe by contrary winds, and on 

 the 28th the first ice was met in 73° 40' south-east 

 of Bear Island. Here they passed through 40 miles of 

 loose drift-ice, and then met the pack in 74° 30'. Calms 

 set in, and the IsbjoDi was beset for ten days. On the 

 10th July it escaped and sailed eastward. They reached 

 longitude 40 E., and then were forced to return westward. 

 Hope Island was reached, and the course was then directed 

 north, but ice was met with in 76° 30'. Three attempts 

 were made to reach Stor-Fiord from the western side of 



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