The New York herald., 1879-10-17


THENCE TO ST. LAWRENCE BAY--A VOLCANIC
COMMISSIONING UNDER DIFFIcULTIEs--
NEARLY swAMPED-THE EsouIMAU DOGS
AND DOG GuARD--THE FANNY HYDE-Ho FOE
THE NORTH
ST.. LAWRENCE BAY. EAST SIBERIA, I
NEAR BEHRISG STRAIT. August ~, 1879
Although enjoyed brief stay at Ounalaska
very much none Of us sorry when the ship cast
on from the wharf and steamed out into the Behrng
Sea. nlioulouk gave us pretty send off in tho
shape of salute from the guns ashore and on the
schooner. These pieces of ordnance not for
midable looking weapons. but they make noise
enough among the hills to satisfy any Flags
wore dipped and other demonstrations made on
shore which assured us that the good ship
Jeannette had the best wishes Of tho resi-
dents of Iliouliouk on her porthward voyage
The change from the smooth water of the harbor
to tho rough outside was very marked and we
were scarcely outside Cape Kaleghta and working Oh
course east of north toward Nounivak Island than
tho Jeannette began her gambols again. rolling ana
pitching so as to make locomotion difficult except
between tho cabin table and the partitions. The
winds being favorable from the southward the
ship, under full steam and sail, rather astonished
us by making five and knots steadily for tho hrst
day out. But as the second day dawned
Will udli U 8alo bioWlu6 tno oo"AhSSSS AAA-
creased her speed. SO that We actually made
17a miles in twentyfour hours something that gave
MS much cause for rejoicing. The coal we got at
Ounalaska. although it burned like chaff. made
steam quickly. and engines thoroughly over
hauled by Mr.. Melville whilo in port. work we'll.
We congratulated ourselves. therefore, probable
quick run to st. Michaels. and nothing seemed to
threaten delay but the possible non-arrval of our
supply schooner. tho Fannie A. Hyde. of San Fran
cisco. But in these latitudes uncertain winds are
the rule during the summer time. that we had to
come down on tho third day to ordinary speed
of four knots which carried into this port. max
ing the run in six days exactly from Ccpe Kaleghta
to Stuarts Island, Norton's Bay.
SCIENTIFIC WORK BEGUN.
Tho Importance Of determining the character Of
the bottom we proceeded rendered daily stop
necessary for sounding We also dredged every day
except when the water too rough. Soundings
ran from eighty to Eve fathoms we came north
on bottom composed Of fine gray sand and ooze.
covered with moss-like vegetation which was inhab
tied by extraordinary variety Of marine life. We
also used the deep cups and thermometers for
determining the densities and temperatures at
various depths. These found to work
very well. considering that our
are yet q little awkward in handling
tho lines. but are improving very rapidly. Our
hourly meteorological observations made each
day with the utmost regularity. We have divided
mp the time into watches. and the work goes
steadily. For instance. begin at noon and stand
watch (meteorologically speaking until six P. M.
am then relieved by Mr.. Chipp. first lieutenant.
who observes at seven and eight; then Dr. Ambler at
nine. ten. eleven and midnight. My turn comes
again. so observe at one two, three and four A. NJ.
and am relieved by Mr.. Danenhower. who takes five
ana six A. M. At and eight Mr.. Chpp observes,
and from nine to noon inclusive Dr.. Amber.
Our hours of duty per day in making OBJ
servations are therefore. Mr.. Chipp. four hours.
Mr.. Danenhower who is navigator. two hours; DR..
Amber eight hours. and myself ten hours. Besides
this keep the regular meteorological record and
note temperatures and densites and make up
my journal; that you may there is no time
Tor doing nothing left for us on board.
ST. MIcHAEL's.
On the evening of the 11th we sighted land on the
starboard beam-that is to say to the eastward-and
by continuous sounding determined our locality to
be of stuart's Island. in Norton's Bay. The land
was low. and discernible only by slight rise or
hill which showed above the horizon. We steamed
at very moderate speed all night and by ten A. M.
on the 18th at anchor opposite tho
littla settlement and blockhousc known a.
Michaelovskoi by the Russians and st. Michaeps
by the Americans. We after boarded by
Mr.. Neumaan. the Alaska Commercial Company's
agent and offered the hosptaties OF the place. with
every addition to our supplies which the companys
stores would afford. Going ashore after
found the "fort." curious collection Of wooden
buildings. forming q small quadrangle. on the cor
ners Of which little block houses. which were
armed with small cannon during the Russian pos
session Of Alaska. but which at present are of no
special value for defence Within the enclosure.
nd tiuu ri tba or md
ings. The latter occupied by Mr.. Neu-
mann. the company's agent. and by Mr.. Nell
son, an employee Of the Smithsonian Institution
and observer of the United States Signal Service,
few Russian workmen and some Indians who
work about tls fort The quarters Of the agent and
the Smithsonian collector are plainly but comfort
ably furnished and it is clear that these gentlemen
are philosophers enough to content themselves
pretty well with their isolated position.
AL our dogs were at st. Michaers when we arrived.
They fine looking lot of animals. but inclined
for general at the shortest notice. They loll
around the enclosure or sit out on the rocks near
the fort. and occasionally set up q long. peculiar
howl that sounds at night like q summons Of
Satan to his satraps Tor general council. At feed
ing time the dogs get their daily allowance Of
dry fish. and while that is being thrown to them tho
sounds Of battle rise and float on the breeze On
general principles the Esquimau dog will fight. and
1t IL often matter OF wonder what the row is about
The dogs will be walking lying about quietly
when suddenly one will mako rush at another and
then the whole pack pitches in. every dog tor him.
self. In these remarkable combats nine Of
sho dogs originally provided for us by
the Alaska Commercial Company have been
killed by their fellow CANNES We are getting some
recruits now and expect to leave here with about
forty-hve good dogs on board. OF course we will
have native drivers with us to manage these unruly
brutes. and believe arrangements are being
made with indian Esquimau hunters to act In that
capacity. Tho storchouse of tho Alaska Company
horo is filed with collection of trade goods similar
to that wo found at Ounalaska. except that tho
sortment is not as vsred the quantity great.
The furs brought in to tho post come from the
lower Yukon River region and the adjacent
coaata. The Indians in by yillaacs. and