The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-28
a fruitful Expedition.
THE DISCOVERY OF HITHERTO UNKNOWN
RIVER IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.

THE DISCONbkl Of A HIIhLhiO tNhNOHN
RIVER IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
NJ. S. Healy, captain OF the United States
revenue marine cutter Corwin, has SUBJ
mitted to Major Clarke, chief OF the reve-
nue. marine, Treasury Department, re-
port from st. MlchaePs, A. t., covering in
detail the last cruise OF that vessel to the
Arctic regions, in which he says being
DESTROYS OF obtaining the exact locality
and extent OF a large river reported
by the natives to debouch in Hotham
Inlet, l ayailed myself OF Ensign
G.. VI. Storey's United States navy
better knowledge of surveying, and his
desire TO make such examination, with a
view to Interior explorations, should the
result Of preliminary expedition warrant
them. placed the dingey, with two men
armed and equipped, with ten days ra-
lions, under his command and landed him
at Hotham Inlet July 23d, with instruc-
tons to report on board at the expiration
OF ten days. The result OF his
expedition, considering the limited means
and time, Is highly gratifying, and well
worthy the attention Of the Government.
.He reports that after leaving the native
village on Hotham Inlet under the guidance
OF a native from the interior, and well ac-
qusnted on the river, he made for the river
marked on the chart; arriving there he
found it to be small and very shallow-not
worth exploring; thence he proceeded
some twenty-three miles along the north
eastern shore OF Hotham Inlet. Here he
struck the mouth OF another river Of con-
siderable size, which the natives said was
one Of the outlets OF larger river. As
cending this branch IN a southeasterly
direction for two days he struck the main
stream. which proves to be river
fully three quarters OF mile in width,
having nowhere less than two and one
half iarhoms OF water, deepening at times
TO seven fathoms. He assembled the river
a distance OF fifty miles from its mouth.
The banks were generally steep, and
thickly covered with birch, alder. and
spruce, some OF the trees attaining a
height OF forty feet. with twelve inches
| diameter ut the base. Back from the river
banks the underground formed an impass-
able Jungle, particularly where the banks
were low. The current was strong, at the
bend reaching the rate OF two knots per
hour. The natives reported that the river
held its depth Of not less than two fathoms
and its width Of half mile for not
less than three hundred miles beyond
where Mr. Storey turned back. 1t was
further stated by the natives that by max
ing small portage near the head OF this
river they could reach another stream 1ow-
inc northward into the Polar sea. Mr..
Storey having gone rs far as time permitted,
retraced his steps to the mouth OF the main
stream, which, with two other branches,
form the delta on the north side OF Hotbam
Inlet. Everywhere the natives were Kind,
harmless, and hospitable, many OF them
evidently having never seen white man
before, The heat was intense, vegetation
rank, and the natives scantiy clad"
Captain Healy also says: "Thus far on
our cruise nothing has been seen TO show
that either liquor or breech-loading arms
have been landed on the American side by
traders or others, while the reverse Is the
case on the Siberian Shores" Captain
Healy also submits report by Lieutenant
w. i. Reynolds, who hastily explored the
large lagoon that lies back from the beach
south OF Cape Sepplngs. The lagoon has
an average width OF two miles, though the
Oats on the eastern side are exposed in many
places at low tide. Striking right across irom
the mouth OF the lagoon, the explorers
found an entrance 10 small river, NJ
which they proceeded about hye miles
when the current became so strong thai
they could not stem II without using tn,
oars. With their limited time they were
unable to follow the stream but two miles
further. The tracks OF foxes and deel
were numerous. Lieutenant Reynolds con
cludes his report by saying that were II no
for the shoal water at the entrance the Ia
COON would furnish On excellent harbo'