The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-01
our ALASKAN EXPLORERS.
News from One OF the Parties that IL Sur
NeYInr tho International BOundnry.


veyInE the International boundary.
SAN FRANCISCO. Juno 30.-News has lust been
received by Prof. Davidson OF tho United States
Coest end Geodetic Survey from tho expedl-
ton which started from San Francisco on Juno
IA, 1899, via St. Mlchaels and the Yukon to de-
termine tho boundary between Alaska and
British America. This eXpeditlan Is In charge
Of ]. Henry Turner. The camp Is CT degrees
% minutes north latitude Al degrees west
longitude. about $50 miles east Of tho Porcu-
pine River where II empties into the Yukon,
and about 200 miles further north than Me-
Grath's expedition on the Yukon.
ono important discovery has been made by
Turner's party which Is that Ramnart House,
q station of the Hudson Bay Company, for
merly thought to be in British territory, IS
twenty miles west OF the boundary line in
American territory The letter cent to the
Superintendent OF the United States Coast and
Geodetic Survey Ia n summary of the doings
OF the party from the time of its arrival in
August ut the mouth OF the river to the date
OF writing on Jan. ii, 1890. Here are some
extracts: .ooo AZ, ,.
was informed by Capt Peterson OF the steamer
Yukon that he had assembled the channel
ahead and found 1t impossible to ascend
further. Besides, tho rapidly falling wafer
madc his snfe return over the Yukon prob
lematic il he delayed longer; A letter from IRON
said the Yukon ran aground zen times before
reaching he mouth Of the river
I am convinced. as within two days OF tho
steamers departure the rivor rose at least two
p peril 1 practlcabic Mr. Turner made out 9
certificate saying that the party together W tbe
tho latitude and longitude being respectively
G70 $ north and "a vest
A change OF one week one way or the othor
in tho date OF the steamers arrival would nave
| saved the party three-iourihs OF the hardsnips
which they have Hndergone since tnqs qa af the
outset The heavy draft OF the whaleboats and
| lighter and the rapid current proved almost
wero at last strmounted. however. and there
were no casunlties. with the exception OF one e
anRo Sheh Psn Snas his lett foot
mnny days He was left behind with the
lighter, and an Indian stationed to minister to
ION Aug. II Rampant House was reached
| during a thunder storm. Observations taken
Of the boundary line. On Aug. ~ the party
| started up the river for the purpose OF locating
the boundary and sseOtnG eamr PM BY s Sn;
had been. transported fully nifty miles u VI
eus misRa lS space had been ccared in the
forest and house erected thereon. o9 oy ~
| feet. Although great assistance Was uoilNeti
from hiring Indians. yet it Is to the party Itself
| that the credit is mostly due. For fertility oil
resources and steady application ono white
man is rs good as i've Indians. u,
| ION Oct. 4 tho house was rendy Tor occu-
| pancy. For astronomical observations log
| structure ten feet square was finished and a
meridian telescope. put in position. On ac-
| count OF the riGor Of the Arctic winter the Oh
| servatory had to be placed In sheltered pn-
| sition instead OF on a hill top. Tho magnetic
| observatory was completed on Oct. -;
| Although the temperature had failen TO 40.
| below zero. the cold weather did not present
an insurmountatle obstacle to making OBJ;
| servations. Up to Jan. !. 1890 nothing had
been heard of the Yudon party since the ar,
4 few days before this Turner re-
ceivcd a letter from Sub -Assistant ,Mc Nc
| (irath under date Of Aug. IL: 1889
| saying he had just reached his destination
| Indians brought reports OF disaster to the new
| steamer Arctic. They said she ran ashore
| near the mouth OF the river. heavy seas dash
| ing over her. and carrying away her cargo
| For the Yukon party this was serious loss
and might cripple it badly. At the time o.
writing Turner was unable TO- send messen,'
| ger across or furnish relief II 1t was needed
| In letter to his brother. who is also connect
| ed with the coast and Geodetic survey here
| Mr.. Turner says he cannot set the time for his
| return. He gives an amusing account OF his
| lite in camp. which he illustrates by comica
|