Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - VI. The Upper Lena
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are navigable; the Olekma, more than 1100 miles in length,
navigable about 560 miles; and the Aldan, 1360 miles in
length, and navigable for over 900 miles; the Aldan having
in its turn two large tributaries, the Amga and Maya. The
latter, which is of great importance as the transport-route
of goods from the Pacific Ocean to Yakutsk, is navigable
for nearly 400 miles. From the south-west the Lena receives
only one large tributary, the Vilui, which is about 1350
miles in length and navigable for about 750 of them.
The course of the Lena is very tortuous, thus making
its absolute length so great. In its upper part the current
is rapid, as also is the case near the delta; otherwise it
runs very slowly. At its source it is about 2855 feet above
the level of the sea, at Ust-Kutsk 921 feet, at Kirensk 820,
and at Yakutsk only 213 feet. On the upper Lena
navigation commences in the first part of May and closes in
the middle of October; at the delta the breaking up of the
ice takes place at the end of June, and it freezes at the
beginning of October or even sooner. The breaking up
of the ice on this gigantic body of water is one of nature’s
most stupendous phenomena, and often causes very great
devastation.
After these general remarks on the Lena and its basin,
it is time for me to return to our voyage down the majestic
river. As we steamed along, the air was heavy with the
aromatic odour from the endless forests, below which
appeared the rocks of red sandstone, the fantastically-shaped
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