Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-10
POINT BARROws EXPEDITIONS.
The Success of the Work and the In.
expected Recall.

SAN Francisco, Oct. g.
Lieut.. Ray, who returned here SATURDAY.,
by schooner Leo, gives the following details
of his sojourn in the north:
He left the port july Is. 1881, under in
structions from the signal service bureau, to
establish permanent signal station at Point
Bariows and remain there until the summer
OF 1884 unless otherwise ordered. The order
for the party to r, turn created great surprise,
as the work was being successfully carried
out, having accomplished all that portion re-
speeding iniernati NAL work, corresponding
with that Of similar stations established by
Russia, Sweden, Denmark and Austria. The
details of Lieut.. Rays work will be made the
subject of an official report
Lieut.. Ray stated. apart from the scientific
Importance of the station, that it was neces-
sary as refuge for the crews of whaling yes
sells. Every year in the sArctic Ocean there
are an average of forty vessels with cargoes
worth 81 100000 and employing 1000 men.
Uut of 81 vessels 80 have been lost wi hin
100 miles OF Point Barrows in one year
alone. In 1877, twelve were lost with all On
board. The crews would not abandon their
vessels, knowing there was nothing on shore
Had station then existed, it is probable that
all their lives would have been ayed. Since
.he station was established two years ago.
lives nave Oeen saved.
Lieut.. Ray states that all the party lived
comfortably and enjoyed good health. the
climate being particularly beneficial to those
ar provisions the party had seal. walrus and
white whale meat, the latter being best as it
was sweeter and more NITROUS The bull l.
ings they erected were left to the Indians
Lieut.. Kay 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 Borrows 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,
Alaska, says they started from Fort Van
couver, Washington Territory, May 81, and
travelled 2S05 miles overland, reaching the
head waters of the river. where they con
structed a raft OF logs to navigate the stream
to its mouth They procured crew of six
Indians and proceeded down the gradu lilly
increasing stream within 250 miles of Fort
Coleat, when rapids were encountered
Down these the Indians refused to go. and
attempted to force the raft ashore. Schwat-
ka, IN order to suppress the mutiny, opened
fire on the Inians, killing three, when the
others submitted and the rapids were run.
The voyage on the raft was 1929 miles.
From the mouth of the Yukon they proceed
ed to st. MIchaels, whore they boarded the
Leo.
Schwatka claims that he has been further
up the Yukon than any other white man.
This is denied by Signal Service Officer
Leavitt. who has been stationed at ST. Mich
aels and vino also came down on the Leo.
de says he assembled the Yukon to Fort Sell
kirk. 2O00 miles from the mouth. He de-
scrIbes the river as one OF the largest in the
world, discharging 50 per cent. more water
than the Mississippi and being at places seven
miles in breadth