Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-09-30
NEW COLUMBIA.
The Revenue Gutter Corwin lands in New
Country and takes possession OF 1t in the
name Of the United States.
(Corr. of the 8. +. Examiner

uuAu Vi tuU OAisvu Ss"sSs'
(Corr. of the g. f. Examiner.l
Our next point was
Wrangell Lapd, where numerous
attempts were made TO land at diff
ferent times. A great many bears
were seen on the ice; indeed, in
that vicinity the place seemed alive
with them. just south of this point
the lower yard of Il ship was picked
up on August 4th. 1t WAS evident
ly quite recently used, having prob
ably drifted on the ice for year or
80, The coast of siberia was visited
from. Cape North to the Wankarem
river, but without finding any adj
ditional evidence of the missing
whalers beyond the remaining tools
some natives took from the aban-
doned wreck last Winter. AT
the latter place the natives
are exceedingly simple and
unsophisticated. They are so
primitive that they do not use fire.
arms, and never saw ships OF white
meu before. Imagine killing polar
bears with arrows and spears, and
wild ducks with kind of sling
having six or eight round pieces Of
ivory suspended by rs many
strings. This they throw with
great effect into flock, bringing
down four or five at one shot.
Ducks here were more numerous
than I have ever seen them before,
many flocks being miles In length.
We met also on the coasts wander
ing tribe of Tuski, who had herds
of reindeer, but we were unable to
purchase any, as the distance to go
for them was too great. Returning
to the northward, other Efforts
were made to reach the land, but
it was not till the morning of Au-
gust 18th that success crowned our
efforts. By taking considerable
risk, =. the steamer was forced |
through the narrow iceleads, and |
finally we stepped on the beach of
NEW COUNTRY,
Which was taken possession of in
the name of the United States. A
flag WAS erected on pole near by.
and the record of the Corwin's Wis.
it, with copy of the New York
Herald, was placed in a glass bot.
tie and secured to the pole. AT the
spot where the landing was made
a river flows into the sea. 1t is
about one hundred yards wide and
IL rapid. The cliffs consisted prin-
cipslly Of slate and II little sand
stone. Some quartz in small guam
titles was also found. The soil,
which was very muddy on the sur
face, owing to the melting Of the
snow, was of clay principally, in
which were dark-cOlored pebbles.
On the beach was quantity of jet
sam In the way of u whales skele-
ton, driftwood, an old paddles boat
spar, wooden wedge, barrel stave,
and piece of a cracker box-ail of
which go to show that 1t must be
at times entirely free from ice.
The hoistlng OF the flagstaff was
celebrated by q salute from the cut
ter and the loud cheers of the crew
uncommon sounds, L dare say, to
the .denizens of this wild region.
But little was seen in the way of
animal or vegetation; in fact, the
spot seemed land of desol alton.
Three or four birds and a few lem
mings were the only living objects
seen. The tracks of bears and fox
es were noticed. The vegetation
was more scapt than in correspond
ing ATTITUDES on the Alaska coast. |
Diiigent search was made in order |
to find traces Of the Attic Search |
Expedition under Commander De-
Long, who left instructions to
search for him on the east
side of this land, in case
q ship should be sent for
tidings. Thus the discovery of u
land, the existence of which was
for years doubtful, has been COM
pieted by the Corwin, for there is
no authenticated instance of any
one ever having landed here. A
German Captain of trading
schooner claims to have landed
twice in 1855, but an examination
of his statement shows his claim to
be without foundation. In case
the existing charts were correct,
his claim might hold good, but the
actual position of the land is nearly
twenty five miles further north
than the chart gives it. He also
speaks of PlOver Island, which is
not extant. This fact alone is sutfi.
cient to condemn the statement as
doubtful. In the new chart. being
prepared By the Corwin, the land
Is to be called New Columbia, and
the two eastern capes are to take
the names of Kellet and WrangelI,
the navigators who first directed
attention to the discovery.