Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... only recorded white woman to reach such a high latitude, 770 48' N., and held that peculiar honor until Madame D'aunet visited Spitzbergen in 1839. Lieutenant Chariton Laptief took up the westward voyage in 1739, under orders from the Admiralty to complete the survey by sea or by land. From his farthest, Cape Thaddeus, 760 47' N., he turned back and wintered on the Chatanga. The following year yielded no results save the besetment and loss of his vessel, three hundred miles from his old winter-quarters, their only hope of safety. This journey was made on foot in the beginning of an Arctic winter, across a desolate, uninhabited tundra. Day by day men broke down under excessive exertions and insufficient food, and no less than twelve men perished of cold and exhaustion. Nevertheless, Laptief continued his work by land the following spring, his endeavors being particularly directed to passing around the north point of Asia, --an exceedingly difficult task from its extremely high latitude, in 770 34', over six degrees to the north of the extreme northerly point of America, Boothia Felix, 720 N. His mate, Chelyuskin, reached this cape, which properly bears his name, in May, 1742, by a long and difficult sledge journey from the Chatanga, while Laptief and others explored the rest of the peninsula and ended voyages to the west. Chelyuskins's discovery of the northernmost point of Asia has been often questioned, but NordenSkiold puts his claims beyond cavil. The westerly voyage of Lassinius from the Lena, in 1735, ended a short distance to the east of the delta in utter disaster, 53 of the 62 men, including Lassinius, dying of scurvy in winter quarters. Dmitri Lapteif, being then charged with the work, pursued it with such perseverance, .
