I think what was observed is a superior mirage. A superior mirage occurs when warm air overlies a very cold layer of air, aka an inversion. You don't often see a superior mirage in lower latitudes, but they seem to be somewhat common in and near the Arctic regions.
With normal atmospheric conditions and taking into consideration refraction, about the furthest one could see a 15,325 foot mountain from, say, a 100 foot high deck is roughly 177 miles, depending on the tide. The only possible explanation is a very strong superior mirage.
There are a couple of good articles here and here that describe the conditions necessary:
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