The Portland daily press., 1883-10-10
POINT BARROW STATION.
Lieus. Ray Gives the Details of His
s0journ an the North,

Lieus. Ray Gives the Details of His
sojourn in the North.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9.--Lieut, Raw, who
returned here Sunday on the schooner Leo.
gives the following details Of his soiourn in
the north:
He left San Francisco July 10, 1881, under
instructions to establish station at Point Bar
row and remain there until the simmer Of
1854 unless otherwise ordered. The order for
the party to return created surprise as the
work was being successfully carried out. They
mad ACCOMPLISHED all that portion respecting
anlo,nauonal H,, WORK, corresponding with that of
similar stations established by Russia, Sweden
denmark and Austria. Details of Lieutenant
bays work will be made the subject of an off,
clal report. Lieutenant Ray states that apart
from the scientific importance of the station il
was necessary as refuge for the crews of
whaling vessels. Every year in the Arctic
ocean there are on an average 90 vessels with
cargoes worth S4 600 900 and employing /, 600
men. Out of 81 vessels 80 b Va been lost with.
III 100 miles of Point Barrow IN one year alone
In 1871, twelve were lost with all on board.
Inc crews would not abandon their vessels
knowing that there was nothing on shore. Had
station then existed IL is probable that all of
their lives would have been saved. Since the
station was established two years ago, over so
lives had been sa-ed.
Lieut.. Ray states that all the party
lived comfortably and enjoyed good health,
the climate being particularly beneficial to
those suffering from malaria. Besides their
regular provisions the party had seal, walrus
and white whale meat, the last being best as it
was sweeter and more nutritious. The build
ings they erected were left to the Indians.
Lieut. Ray expressed regret at his recall.
Information from other sources attribute the
recall OF the party to Secretary Lincoln, who
wants to discourage Arctic explorations owing
to the loss of life they have entailed Lieut..
Rays statement goes to show that a station at
Point Barrow would be the means of saving
many lives.
Lieut.. Schwatka who, with his party, was
picked up by Lieut. Ray, at st. Michaels,
speaking OF his trip up the Yukon river, Alas
ka says they started from Fort Vancouver,
Washington Territory, May 2lst, and travelled
$500 miles overland, reaching the head waters
of the river, where they constructed raft of
logs to navigate the stream to Its mouth. They
procured a crew Of six Indians and proceeded
down the gradually increasing stream within
260 miles of Fort Coleat, when rapids were en-
countered. Down these the Indians refused to
go, and attempted to force the raft ashore.
Schwatka, in order to suppress the mutiny
opened fire on the Indians, killing three, when
the others subh.itted, and the rapids were run.
The voyage on the raft was 1929 miles. From
the mouth of the Yukon they proceeded to st.
Michaels where they boarded the Leo.
Schwatka claims that he has been farther up
the Yukon than any other white man. This
is denied by Signal Service Officer Leavitt, who
has been stationed at ST. Michaels, and who
also came down on the Leo. He says he as
cended the Yukon to Fort Selkirk, 1000 miles
from the mouth. He describes the river as
one OF the largest in the world, dscharging 80
per cent more water than the Mississippi, and
being, at places, seven miles in breadth.