Back to Album belonging to Colonel F F Colvin 9L (1860-1936). Contains newspaper cuttings and paper ephemera
Photographs
Item 0061
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Image details
| Accession number | 912L : 2124/6 |
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| Transcription |
46 MR COLVIN'S HUNTING TOUR TO THE FAR NORTH . The following additional particulars of the voyage of Mr. R. Beale Colvin , M.F.H. , in the Arctic seas , will be read with interest : Having returned to Hammerfest from Spitzbergen , and replenished her coal , the Lancashire Witch proceeded to Nova Zembla with the intention of penetrating the Kara Sea . A strong breeze brought her in a few days to the entrance of the Kara Straits , or as they are sometimes called the Iron Gates , from the reason of there generally being blocked by ice . This was the present case , so it was thought advisable to proceed further south and make the Tougourski or Pet Strait which separate the Island of Waigatch from the mainland of Europe and Asia . The thickness of the weather and the rapidity of the tide caused a considerable mistake in our reckoning , and to our con sternation , as we approached what we took to be the entrance of the straits , the water . began to shoal very rapidly , and the leadsman suddenly reported only two feet of water under the vessel . The engines were put hard astern , but it was four hours before the vessel was in deep water again , and we anchored for the night . The next morning the tide had left this choal almost dry . We found we had drifted considerably to the south of our course , but again on approaching the shore a thick fog enveloped the yacht , and the anchor was let go . These fogs aften last a fortnight ; fortunately this lifted in a few hours and disclosed big black rocks all round , against which the sea was breaking . However , we were now in the Straits , and by six o'clo in the evening were off the Samoyede Settlement of Charbarowa . Quickly going ashore , we inspected these quondam cannibals of Europe . They are stunted in growth , with Mongolian features and black hair . They live in tonts and are dependent on their reindeer , which furnish them with food ( which they eat raw ) , clothes , and transport . A motley crew of Russians and Samoyedes allowed them selves to be photographed , and then the professional beauty , having arrayed herself in her best bonnet , sub mitted to the modern torture . We were taken to see a little Greek church that looked like a smmmer - house painted red and green , gaudily decorated inside , and having some very fine silver candlesticks . This is used by the Russians . We purchased a small pack of the Samoyede sledge dogs and a little grey fox for them to hunt , and then returned to the yacht , where we held a reception which was attended by half the village , i.e. , about 20 men . Proceeding through the Straits , we reached the Kara Sea , which was found to be full of ice . There were three Norwegian sealing boats here ; they had had no sport and were now anxious to return . They reported that two vessels were shut in beyond , their prospect of release being very remote . They gladly accepted our offer to tow them out , but unfortunately a slight contre temps occurred . As they were manoeuvring to get into line , the jibboom of one struck the yacht broadside , and smashed off short , and plunged an , unfortunate sailor into the water . He came up all right , blowing like a whale , and , I believe , was none the worse . We presented a pretty and imposing appearance to the inhabitants of Charbarowa as we steamed through the straits on a lovely day towing three vessels , all flying their ensigns . Having completed our task , the yacht proceeded north for Matuskin Shar . A favourable breeze increasing to a gale brought us in a few days to the entrance of the straits , but , as usual , thick weather prevented us making them out , so we had to submit to the discom fort of " laying to " for 24 hours in a very heavy sea till the weather cleared , after which we steamed up th : Straits of Matuskin Shar for abont 60 miles and anchored in Beloocha Bay , 15 miles from the Kara Sea . We saw some reindeer a : hore , but a heavy snowstorm prevented us following them . The storm increased in violence all night , and the fol lowing day blew a hurricane . Topmasts were sent down , and steaming to both anchors , the ship was just kept from drifting on a leo shore ; the gusts sweeping off the tops of the mountains struck the ship , laying her over , and lifted the water 30ft . or 10ft . up in the air . The rigging was frozen , and covered with snow and ice . Our pilot , who had wintered in the Arctics , and made the N.E. passage with Nordenskjeld , said he had never before experienced such a gale . After 18 hours , the intervals between the gusts became longer and eventually lulled . The next day , tempted by lovely weather , we set off in the steam launch for the end of the bay , about eight miles from the yacht , to look for reindeer . We had a successful day's sport , but on returning to the launch late in the evening , wet and tired after a long tramp over snow , mountains , and wet valleys , to our dismay we were informed by the crew , that during our absence the yacht had fired several signals and gone away . When we reached the place where the yacht had been anchored , we found the ice driving in from the Kara Sea , and the bay nearly full . The Walrus boat with a tin of biscuits and some coffee had been left for us . It was ten o'clock at night and nearly dark . We just managed to get out of the bay into the straits . They were full of small blocks of ice . After trying for two hours to find an open channel we eventually discovered we had lost our way and got into another bay , round which the ice was swirling like water in a basin . With some difficulty we avoided being nipped , and reached the shore in safety , where we landed and made a fire , intending to wait till 3 p.m. , when it would be light . Our provisions consisted of a reindeer , a tia of biscuits , and some coffee . might have to last the 13 men This of which the party consisted for an unlimited period , as , for all we knew , the yacht might have had to retreat to the open sea , or even if she was still in the straits , we might be unable to reach her . So our dinner that night consisted of three biscuits apiece and some coffee . As soon as it was light we were off again , struggling to work our way through the ice . The iaunch soon be came disabled , by breaking her propeller , and shortly afterwards she was nipped between two large floes . Fortunately we were able to haul the walrus boat on the ice , and so avoid a similar catastrophe , and having transferred everything we could from the launch to the boat , we abandoned her . We waited till a " lead " ap peared through the ice , and then launched the boat , and having all squeezed into her , managed to work our way into the straits , and having got close to shore , managed , by punting , towing , and hauling , to get down a few miles , when the water became more open , and to our relief , about 9 a . n . on Sunday morning , we descried the yacht lying in open water , below a barrier of ice which had jammed across the straits . She had only just succeeded in escaping the ice , and had had to charge through several floes . The ice continued to come down the straits , but two days afterwards a relief expedition was organised to attempt to find and extricated the launch . We started off in the walrus boat , but experienced considerable diffi culty in working our way through the ice , as young ice had formed in the night , which tore the zinc sheeting off the bows , and obliged us to haul the boat on to an ice floe for repairs , an opportunity not to be missed by the photographer , who came prepared . A favourable tide helped us along to the vicinity in which the launch had last been seen . Not a sign of her now . No doubt when the floes parted she had filled and sunk . Determined to make quite certain , we thought we would approach and in vestigate what looked like the solid pack jammed across the straits , when we suddenly found ourselves drifting towards it at a tremendous pace in company with huge blocks of ice , which crashed into it , toppled over , and were sucked under . This looked like being our fate , while to add to our horror the pack seemed to be ad vancing towards us , throwing up a great wave of water in front . Somehow our boat was turned round , and we rowed for dear life , just seeming to hold our own against the advancing ice pack . It was like rowing on the edge of a waterfall . I think the tide suddenly slacked off ; any way , after struggling for about 40 roinutes we made a quarter of a mile , and ultimately reached the shore , and were able to take a calm and more dispassionate view of the scene . Being satisfied of the fate of the launch , we returned to the yacht , which we reached late at night in a thick fog and snowstorm . The return journey was enlivered by songs , one very pathetic one called " Franklin's dream , " sung by a whaler , and an impromptu diving exhibition by our photographer , who , in endeavouring to navigate through the ice , suddenly disappeared head first overboard . He was safely secured . We were able to have another day's reindeer shooting before the ice completely took possession of the straits , but as the weather had now broken up , the order was given for Westward Ho , and soon the gallant Lancashire Witch , which has probably covered more miles than any yacht afloat , and has certainly penetrated further north than any unprotected vessel ever has , was homeward bound . VICTORIA SWIMMING CLUB . On Saturday the members of the Victoria Swimming Club gave au aquatic entertainment , viz . , a 100 yards handicap for men , for which there were no less than 27 entries . In this race there were four prizes , the first two given by F. F. Colvin , Esq . , and the third and fourth by the club . By kind permission , the racing took place in the Navigation , or front river . First prize , a valuable silver , fly - back stop watch ; second , a valuable timepiece ; third , a pair of electro plated salt cellars ; fourth , a claret jug . In the first heat there was some good swimming between D. J. Miller , E. Chittendon , and C. Rowden for the first seventy yards , when Miller gradually drew away and won by three yards ; a yard between Chittendon and Rowden respectively. Heat 2 : W. Avis made good use of his start , and appeared to be going well for eighty yards , when he was overtaken by M. Risley , who was closely followed by F. Martin and H. Dent ; at ten yards from the finish a great struggle took place between Dent , Risley , and Martin , Dent winning by a yard , Risley second , Martin a foot behind him . In this heat Martin showed some splendid swimming . - Heat 3 : G. Franklin did very well , but the race was between A. T. Overall ( hon . secretary ) and A. Laker , who kept close together for some sixty yards , when the secretary began to draw away , and won by four yards from Laker , Franklin being fifteen yards behind . - Heat 4 : W. Rich and F. Overall swam well till within twenty yards of the finish , when they were overtaken by T. G. Poppy , who won by two yards , Rich second , by a touch from Overall . -Heat 5 : G. Moffrey took the lead , and held it to the finish , winning by 2yds . from H. Overall , L. Speller being a yard behind the second man . -The first in each heat swam in the final . After an interval of half - an - hour the five winners of heats took their places on the punt , waiting to hear what has now become the familiar " Go ! " of the starter . Opinion varied as to who would be the winner of one of the most important races the club has yet held , Poppy and Miller being the favourites alternately till just as the start took place , when it was freely stated that Moffrey would be the winner . Neither forecast , however , proved correct . The last named being the limit man , was consequently the first to leave the punt at the start , and for the first 50yds . he held his own . At 60yds . he was still leading , but was closely followed by Dent , A. T. Overall , T. G. Poppy and D. J. Miller , the three last named swimming stroke for stroke , with but a few inches between them . Occasionally A. T. Overall was leading by about half - a - yard , whieh he appeared to increase on nearing home , finally winning by a good yard from Poppy , who was second , Miller being third , or a length of his hand behind Poppy , H. Dent fourth . About 20yds . from home Moffrey appeared to fall back , and the other competitors having all caught him his chance was gone . Thus ended one of the largest handicaps the club has had . These races were held under the rules of the Amateur Swimming Association . G. Oorble , Esq . , was jadge until the finish of the third heat , when he was obliged to leave ; but before doing so presented Masters H. Greatrex , A. Chappell and H. Sharland with a book each , for having learned to swim this year , each boy completing the required distance on August 18th ; the other three boys not being on the ground by the time Mr Corble left did not receive their prizes , but will do so in due course . Mr Murray was appointed judge for the remain ing heats after Mr Corble left . Mr W. A. Alps presented the prizes , and in so doing said that much to his surprise he had been called upon to perform an office such as he had never fulfilled before . As it was usual on such occasions to have something to say to each competitor , he would much rather have seen a gentleman who had been with them that day fill that office . The first prize he had to present was a valuable silver 12back shop watch ( first prize for 100 yards handicap ) which had been won by Mr A. T. Overall , honorary secretary , a most useful prize for a secretary , and he had no doubt it would remind the winner of that punctuality in all competitions , such as he had displayed that day at the post , for he was certainly there at his time . ( Laughter . ) Then again it must be of double interest to him to know that he had won the first prize , given by a gentleman who had been from the very commence ment a great supporter of the club . ( Applause . ) Unfortunately he had to state that the second prize . a valuable clock , had received some damage to its face . It was therefore not there ; but he congratulated Mr Poppy at having scored another victory . Both those prizes had been given by Mr Oolvin ( president of the club ) , and they must all appreciate the generosity of that gentleman , as such assistance as that helped the club very much . ep in Europe goods before I seluru States , but shall return Thursday to Liverpool as the latest to the 2 address I hope FROM ONE M م TO ANOTHER 4 to the gave you . we may infresve improve our . slight acquaintance when we next weet , with mutual qratification to both of us . I semain Your obliged 2. Kemu Charlotte Gould Early yesterday morning Manuden Hall , Bishop's Stortford , the property of Mr. R. Gosling , was maliciously Norman set on fire and destroyed . It was a fine old mansion and had just been put in thorough repair . About two years ago several of Mr. Gosling's farms were set on fire , and no trace was ever found of the miscreant . Goosey TROON NES 224. - Rus in Urbe . - BRITON RIVIERE , R.A. 313 |
