Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-09
THE GREAT ALASKAN RIVER.

THE GREAT ALASKAN XIV Els.
An Inland Route to the Arctic DiscOv-
ered-The Museum on the Schooner
Ounalaska.
For the last 20 years, says the San
Francisco Chronicle, the English Admir-
atty charts have shown large river in
Alaska flowing from the eastward into
the Arctic. 1t is the river known as the
Noatak. Eastward and southwark of
this river it was rUmored that another
large river existed. This latter river,
now known as the Putnam river, has
been indicated on the later maps as a
short river flowing into Hotham inlet. 1t
had never been visited by white men until
Lieut.. StOney sailed up it a short distance
in the summer of 1888. All that was
known of it was based on Indian reports.
/ Putnam river was found in the eXplora-
tions conducted this summer to exceed
in size the previously discovered Noatak
river, and was proved to be the principal
river in that part of Alaska. 1t flows
over a large delta into Hotham inlet, just
north of the Arctic circle, and was traced
by Lieut.. StOney to the east and northeast
for distance of 400 miles, fully 200 miles
further than the Corwin party went.
The entire river and most Of its tributaries
are
NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.
From the north the river receives many
tributaries, most of them being shallow
and rapid and having extremely cold
water. So noticeable was this lowering
of the temperature that the steam in the
boiler on the steam launch would drop
noticeably before the mouth of a tributary
was reached. The thermometer also gave
sure indication of the approach to
branch. Some of these branch streams
had a temperature as low as 80 degrees,
and one was down to SO degrees.
On the southern side of the river there
was but one considerable stream. what
was called by the natives Pah river. 1t
was much used by the natives on the
journeys southwark. After reaching the
source of the Pah river very short port
age must be crossed to reach one OF the
northern tributaries of the Yukon river,
which flows southwark to the trading
posts.
The party exploring the river succeeded
in taking the launch up stream distance
of about 800 miles. Then rapids were
reached, which rendered further progress
with the large boat impossible. A skin
canoe was obtained and, as il was impOs-
sible to paddle against the current, tow
lines were attached to the canoe, and the
explorers for seven days.
WADED UP THE RIVER
in water knee deep, dragging the boat after
them. Their feet soon became tender,
and the work being severe they were uE-
able to make more than twelve miles
day. AT the end of the seventh day the
men were broken down. and Lieut..
S5oney, learning that a cut across cOun-
try, back from the river, would take him
to the headWaters of one of the tributa-
ries, started with two companions, all
three men carrying packs and light
birch canoe. When the journey end was
reached two large lakes were found as the
headwaters of the branch stream. The
canoe was launched and two days were
spent in an examination of the vicinity. A
mountain TO the eastward of the lake fur
nished view tar to the eastward up the
valley of the main Putnam river, and
showed it coming with undiminished vol
ume. The natives said that seven days
journey further up there was a great lake
which they described as looking like the
sea, and which is probably the head
waters OF the river.
On the return from the lake the canoe.
propelled by nothing except the current,
swept down over the rapids so that in a
few hours the camp was reached. The |
men were found fully recovered by their !
long rest; the party entered the skin |
canoe, and in a single day distance was
passed down stream which it had taken |
seven days to tow up.
Lieut.. stoney's work has undeniably |
been Of
GREAT PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE,
1t has shown that by two short portages |
communication can easily be had with the |
Arctic ocean even in midwinter. A short |
portage from the Yukon connects with |
the Putnam and an equally short portage |
from the latter connects with the river !
discovered by Lieut.. Ray, near Point Bar
row, which flows north into the Arctic. !
Putnam river undoubtedly has its origin |
as far east as the British possessions, and |
probably close to the Mackenzie river. The |
character OF the country has been found !
to be somewhat peculiar. 1t is extremely |
mountainous. Long ranges of mountain /
extend along each sideOf the Putnam river. |
The mountains, however, differ from those |
generally seen in. being detached. They |
occur in little groups separated from each |
other, and each group possessing char |
acteFiSticS of its own. Some of the noun |
tains have clearly-defned, sharp rocky |
peaks, while others are smoothly rounded. /
The higher mountains are approximately /
{, 900 feet in height. From the tops of /
those which were assembled it could be |
seen that the whole country to the north |
was a confused mass of mountain peaks, |
and the natives said that the character of |
the country was the same clear to the |
Arctic.
In summer the climate is
WARM AND PLEASANT.
Grass and vegetation generally are luXu- /
RANT. The valley of the Putnam IS heav- |
lily timbered with spruce, larch, cotton |
wood, birch and willow. Flowers were |
growing in abundance. Roses were seen |
in large numbers, and not only pressed |
specimens were procured, but cuttings |
started in soil were brought down.
The natives, being nearly unacquainted |
with white men, were still interrupted !
and were honest and friendly. Much of |
the quietness of the natives was undOubt-
eddy due to the tact of Lieut.. StOney, who |
has had much experience with the north
ern tribes. The natives showed their good
will by unloading the schooner, hedging
her over the bar, an operation which took
six days, and reloading her. No guard
was kept on the supplies, yet not an
ounce of tobacco, not even a pin, was
stolen by the people, who regard such
things as of inestimable value.
The collection made by the party is
very complete. Specimens of green and
black Jade Tere found, and the huge tusk
OF mammoth forms part of the cargo.
Besides this, the collection is a complete
one in mineral, vegetable and animal
specimens.
The success of the expedition, though
due primarily to the commander, Lieut..
Stoney, was very materially aided by the
efficient work of the second in command,
Ensign Purcell, who not only seconded
his commander in every respect, but also
accomplished some very important sur
Yeying work at Salawik lake.
HODGINS' FAMILY HISTORY.