Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-06

| tier bcyCnd the Arctic circle. while thu
| minority Of four wcrc to be landed upon
one Of the Aientian Islands. stcamlns
down the hafbcr VIC took final glimpse
OF civilization tor two years. a
party Of pieasurc-scekers crossing Out
bow gave us three cheers, while 0
salute from an incoming steamer served
- parting farewell. Soon we were out
OF The Golden Gate, our course Get north
ward. To cDumerste the various changes
that took place In the weather would prove
tedious. Suffice II 10 say that Tor fifteen
days the Beda bore more Of resemblance
TO hali-,ide rock than 10 q steam vessel.
Continuous gales from west 10 northwest.
sccompab,ed by heavy, rolling cross-seas,
were incidental 10 this period. For two or
three days the entire forward portion OF
The vessel was swamped by solid masses Of
green water. which poured with the utmost
force imaginable upon the deck. On the
LIT OF July we encountered the effects
OF the swift current known as the
kuro slwc," or japanese current,
branch Of which sweeping In an
easterly direction skirts the shores
Of the Alcuiian islands. Dense log and rain.
with q heavy gale from the northwest.
ushercd In tie month OF july. The
barometer marking 29.S5, while the
mist which sbrouded the entire sur
roundiDgs prevented any observations
being taken TO indicate our position.
ON the nigh, OF The lst of July, COM
pelled by the situation and weather,
the Beda was hove 10. Rolling and pitch
ing heavily during the night in The trough
Of The sea served 10 make many OF our pas
sengers extremely uncomfortable. more es-
peciallv the mining men from Arizona. who
we're anXio.sly looking forward TO re-
turn 10 terra firma. Daylight on the
I'd revealed our proximity to land, but
the mist prevented the contour be-
ing recognized. Our nlyigaiors knew
that the vessel was IN the vicinity OF the
stretch 81 water wnich leads from the
Pacific ocean into the Behriny sea, known
as The AmoDghta pass. but whether the
ship had Griiied 20 the east or west through
the action OF the current was a r:after OF
conjecture. However, we steamed along
against an ebb tide, aud at $50 A. NJ. a
rent In the clouds gave us sight Of
Amonghta Island on our starbOard, distant
some ten miles. AS we pursued our way
the fog lifted and SIC were favored with
glimpse 81 the high extinct volcano on the
northeast point Of Atkha island. The sum-
NIT. some five thousand feet, was entirely
covered with snow. which, in distinction
by the sombfe background Of the mursy
clouds and the mOss-green vegetation
On The slopes. formed q picturesque
view. Little streams. like silver threads.
wound their way along the hillsIdcs. re-
licyiDg the monotony Of the landscape,
which, extremely harsh and inhospi:able,
strikes The bcboldor as n Naturalization to
the sub-Arctic regions. There are but few
PAGES in the world which are visited or few
seas traversod by seamen where such dan
sors are 10 be encountered or rougher
weather met with than abound the Aleu-
ian islands and The seas in their vicinity.
Excellent surveys made by the Russians.
md the valuable work effected by Profess
cor George Davidson and DIR. W. ii. Dali.
y the United States Coast Survey, have
lCon 81 great assistance TO those having
Of vessels frequcnting these seas.
Jut much remains 10 be done in order TO !
'ender the navigation safer and TO make |
,nown numerous dangers in Che shape OF |
hidden rocks and shoals which are exist |
ng. II Is the imperative duty OF the Gov |
rdmert to attend 10 these matters. and, |
considering the interests Of San Francisco |
merchants. who own the valuable steam
vhaleTs and trading-vcssels frequenting |
he waters Of Alaska. Il behooyes them to |
make strong representations TO the proper |
'fhcialS at Washington, so thit the new
steamer, the G. +. Patterson,
nay proceed with this work at an early |
late.
The national holiday was spent AZ anchor
D koroyinsky bay, under chilling winds
nd similar feelings, the wise regulations OF
be Government preventing any eXhila-
lting beverages being carried on vessels
rocceding 10 the north. Some OF the
arty went on shore. visiting the deserted
lieut. village and the ruined Greek church
uilt by the Russians In 1920. With wind
en- the southwest. we started once more,
laping course for st. PauPs island. i'm
'dcr TO deliver a mail. Heavy, thick, wea-
er, with gale, the prevailing state OF the
in the vicinity of these abodes
the fur seals, operated against our
nding at the vill,ge; so. running to-
ard the northeast end Of the island,
at was sent ashore and the Matchmaker de-
Sored TO the natives, who were waiting on
Ie beach. The roar OF the seals and sea
OBS, which lined the beach, could be
ainiy distinguished above the rosr OF the
lrf, while q venturesomo few Of the seal.
me alongside Of the Beda, their heads
,bbIng up aud down. seemingly to make
quaintance with the strange visitor. on
ard We went until the night OF July 10tb,
hen the floating ice compelled lis TO an
or. On the morning OF the 11th we met ,
c Teycnuc-cutter Corwin under sail. Cap
IN Hcaly told us that the party OF men at !,
G lead mine situated near Goloy-
7 bay were short OF provisions. ..
loy had mined seyenty.tve tons ,,
ore ready for shipment, but their
ssel, which left tor San Francisco in Sep :
mber. 1888. had been lost with all on :
ard. IL IS the intention OF Captain d,
aaly TO bring the men to san Francisco in ,
! vessel. Parting company with the Cor !
n We went north, our destination being I,
int Hope, where the fleet were awaiting ,
. For thirty hours we ran through fields /,
floating ice, huge foes. their major por-
ns being under water. Constant atten-
n 10 steering the Beda was necessary, as,
d one OF these foes struck the ship, [
would have proved disastrous. The a
IN Of July saw us returning south, a
G ice being too heavy to get through; \
that the Beda anchored in KOtZebue '
Ind 10 await change Of wind. The a
tiyes told us of the arrival OF the schooner a
inalaska, Lieutenant Stoney ia charge, a
d also steam-launch and party from the |
irwin TO explore newly-fOund (Sic) river +
Re l4th and 18th saw lis steamng SLOWLY {
rough dense fog and thick ice. 4 current ;
ming al the rate OF four knots In a n
direction contributed TO our q
ssase. AT S A. NJ. on the 10th we |
md the steamer Orcs. and by q
" OF perpetual whistling aud blowing Il
fog-horns, we, in few hours had the 4
lire fleet around us. Letters TO the ships "
re handed TO the numerous boats that 81
rked around the Beda. their occupants | n
,er 10 obtain news from their friends and | II
outside world. Coal and stores were =,
be transferred to the various vessels, but II
IRENE caution had TO be used in handling n
; ships, owing to the heavy ice floating | =
)ut. One huge foe came down upon the 8,
lena. cutting her anchor-chain aud en- h,
ling the loss OF some 100 fathoms. The +,
Il clear day Tor nearly a week was the q
n OF July, the mirage showing US some n,
ships inverted. and hanging. as IL h,
re. In mid-air. their masls touching the q,
q OF Ice, while the mountain tops, COW al
d with snow, were plainly visible. The O,
I have bad very hard passage this sea- a.
!, especially the steamers. Rammlng sr
smashing through ice, theil sterns bear L,
Iimony TO the obstacles encountered, a,
,ales have been numerous; some Of the \,
ling ships have been fortunate enough VI
pick up several dead whales that were :.
led buI lost by the steamers. Captain Con- m
J, oil the Orca, cut through an Ice. in
TWO miles in circumference to IT
al whale he had killed, the in
lsna. under Captain Bauldry, keeping VI
teb upon one side 10 Keep the wbsle be. 10
cen the two vessels. This operation. as y,
'crioed 10 me, was somewhat similar to -
work OF chopping tree down, Under