The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XII, No. 2 [‎293r] (88/154)

RUSSIAN NAVIGATORS IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN IN 1895-96.
175
In rounding Biely island fog interrupted the survey, and no good positions
could be fixed, but the soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. led to the belief that existing charts of this part
are fairly accurate.
There is now nothing to hinder this northern navigation, and no systematic
survey will have to be undertaken in the future; occasional corrections may be
made as the opportunity occurs, and next summer it would be advisable to send
an ofiScer overland to examine in detail the bay near the bar of the Obi river.
Four astronomical positions were fixed on the coast of the gulf, besides numerous
observations from the deck of the vessel; the position of the church in Yugor
strait was also fixed, and the magnetic elements ascertained in seven places. In
Tobolsk itself, as well as in Beriozovsk, Obdorsk, and Yugor strait, observations with
the pendulum were also made. Meteorological and hydrographical observations
were continued every four hours. The weather was altogether unfavourable, and
on entering the Kara sea the two vessels, the s.s. Lieut. Ovtsin and the barge in tow,
were for four days exposed to a violent storm from the north, south-west, south,
and north-west, accompanied by fog and rain. The steamer ran short of coal, and
had it not been for their adopting the novel expedient of coaling by slinging the
sacks on the tow-rope and hauling them by means of a block and pulley from the
barge to the steamer, it might have fared badly with them. By dint of incessant
exertion on the part of officers and men the furnaces were kept supplied, and the
little steamer with her charge weathered the storm.
The incidents of this storm are told by Colonel Shokalsky, but we are obliged,
•for want of space, to curtail his narrative.
When the weather at last moderated, and they were so fortunate as to enter
Yugor shar or strait, one of the steamer’s screws was disabled, the stock of coal
was reduced to one sack and a half, and the officers and crews of both vessels were
in a state of exhaustion. In Yugor strait they met with two English steamers at
anchor, waiting the arrival of Captain Wiggins. At the request of the English,
they were supplied with the Russian maps, and it was probably due to these (though
we are not told so) that these English vessels accomplished their voyage to the
Yenisei so satisfactorily—one proceeded up the river, the other discharged cargo
and returned safely to Norway. Acts of courtesy such as these deserve to be
recorded, because they may help to allay that feeling of irritation which cha
racterizes the relations of their respective governments in other parts of the world.
The sketch-map accompanying this paper is compiled from charts kindly
supplied by Colonel Shokalsky.
Besides the above surveys, the Jigit cruiser, sent to the Glacial ocean in 1895
'to protect the Russian fisheries in those seas, took out officers of the Hydrographical
Department—Denisobransky and Jdanko—by whom the following surveys were
made:—
1. A sketch-map of—
(a) The southern part of Pechenga bay (Yaranger fiord).
(b) Cape Setinsky and Yolokov bay at the entrance to Kola bay.
(c) The southern part of the Kola bay.
(d) The straits of Kildyn.
(e) Major station and Voroniye Ludki.
(/) The southern part of Catherine harbour.
2. Boat soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. of—
(a) Pechenga bay (Varanger fiord).
(V) Waida bay.
(c) Kola bay.
(e?) Teribersky bay.
(e) Part of the roadstead beyond the Yokan islands.