Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-03
CAUGHT IN THE ICE.
The Summer Trip of the Thetis to the
Arctic Waters.


An INTERESTING TALK BEFORE THE NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC socIETY-LooKINa FOR BEARS AND
sHIPwRECKs-A GLACIER IN AN UNKNOWN RIVER
TRADITIONS OF THE wRASGEL LASpERs.
The National geographic society and their
friends turned out in big force Friday night in
the lecture room of the Columbian university
TO listen to a very interesting account of the
cruise OF the United States steamer Tnetis in
attic waters. The lecture had every reliability,
being delivered by the steamers commander,
Lieut. Commander Charles n. Stockton. Many
interesting facts and anecdotes we're brought
out by Capt Stockton Referring first to the
length Of the coast line OF Alaska, $500 miles,
including islands, against coast line Of $50
miles. also including islands, on the eastern
coast of the United States he related the course
Of the Thetis IN her far northern trip in the in
terests OF science, tor the protection OF our
whaling interests aud to establish q house of
refuge at Point Barrow, the point farthest
north OF ou- possessions
ON HER NORTHERN TRIP.
The Thetis left San Francisco on goth of
April, 1889. An interesting account was given
of the trip north to Sitka and of the sealing in
terests upon the islands of ST. Paul and St
George. The course Of the vessel was then
changed to northwest, with st. Matthe W Island
as the objective point. The Thetis went this
much out of her way for two reasons, the first
being to ascertain if there any ship
wrecked persons upon the island and the Sec
ond to verify the statement made upon the
charts that the island infested with polar
bears
TRACES OF BEARS.
Old traces OF the animals were found in
abundance on St. Matthew'S, but no present
evidences Of their existence. This island, says
Capt Stockton, Is probably the southern limit
OF the solid Ice winter In that part OF BehrIng
sea The Siberian coast was next touched by
the expedition In an effort to gather news con-
corning the fate OF the whaling vessel Little
Ohio, which had been missing since the
previous autumn. Finding no traces the
1hetis passed through Behring straits to the
arctic ocean. At the native village of Point
Hope two whalers were met with and the in
formation obtained that the bark Little OHIO
had been wrecked at this point and that the
survivors were at the village. These men were
taken Oh board. Outside OF Point Hope
The FIRST POLAR BEAR
Of the season was sighted posing upon high
foe Of ice. few shots, however, settled his
case. The mouth of the Yukon river was
safely reached. although much ice, heavy fogs
and an opposing current were met with. At
St. Michael, the most northern trading post of
the Alaska commercial company, large con-
course OF natives and at Port Clarence numer-
Gus whaleys were met with. Port Clarence Is
the last harbor on the American side before
reaching the arctic and the whalers make tine
port q general rendezvous.
AScHoRISa AT CAPE SABINE
Cape Sabine was reached ON the 9th Of July
and an anchorage made. Near by was a coal
mine where the Thetis had coaled the summer
before and which mine was still being work ed
by the natives. In the vicinity also was
stream known to the natives the Pitsuagea,
unknown to but few whites and not set down
on any chart or map. The stream was found to
have but three feet of water ON the bar at the
mouth and to be full of shoals and bars. The
river was very winding. Its general course
being northwest. After the spring thaw the
stream rises to depth sufficient for the natives
to ascend il for assistance of forty miles. Its
length Is estimated to be over 100 miles. Mr..
VIM. Kelley, the interpreter, gave Capt. Stock
ton an account of
REMARKABLE ICE CLIFF
on this river, being about twenty-five miles
from the mouth. The glacier faces southwark
and gales have deposited particles of soil and
debris OF plant along with the seeds upon the
surface OF the ice to q depth of from four
inches to foot. In the summer the vegeta-
ton Is warmed to life In a remarkably short
time. and the brown coat left by the receding
snow Is almost miraculously transformed to a
robe Of green, studded here and there with
bright polar flowers. The river is gradually
cutting into the glacier. During the summer
above like the caves of a house. When it pro-
trudes too far for the strength of the grass
roots II topples over into the river. At the
freezing in September ieicles freeze from the
Oyerhanging sod to the river ice below, FORM
ing a narrow portico four miles in extent.
AT the cape of Captain Cook much ice
met with and many walruses were seen
stretched out on the ice fields.
THE HOUSE OF REJOICE.
An account was given Of the building of the
n
collection of the entire fleet of whaling and
United States vessels at this point. Forty
seven vessels Carrying the American flag had
assembled within sight Of the most northerly
point Of the United States. manned by about
100 men. After finishing the house of refuge
the IhetIs bore enthusiastically, meeting much
difficulty from ice, head winds and fogs. After
great difficulty and much real danger. de-
serlbed IN most realistic manner by Capt
Stockton, Hertchel Island was reached. This
was the extent OF the eastward trip and the
vessel was turned back. short distance east
OF Point Barrow, on the return trip, the Thetis
had the misfortune to get caught in the ice and
was forced TO remain there for tve days. She
was, however, got out safely, and Capt. Stock
ton paid a high compliment to the courage
and activity OF the officers and crew of the
vessel
TRADITION IN wRASGEL LAND.
Point Hope, in wrangel Land. was the next
stopping point, and the captain gave an in
tereStlng account OF the establishing of head
man among the natives at this point
The tradition prevailing among these Eski-
mos as 10 their early days goes in this wise:
In the beginning the people had heads like
ravens, with eyes in the upper part of the
breasts. All the world at that time was
wrapped in gloom, with no change of day or
night At that time there lived powerful
chieftain on the top of the highest peak. In his
hut were suspended two balls, which were con-
sided very precious and which were to be care
fully guarded. One day, the chief being absent
and the guards asleep, some children knocked
the balls down with a stick and they rolled out
OF the hut and down the side Of the mountain.
The guards awoke and rushed after them while
their extraordinary beauty attracted the atten-
ton OF the people, who also attempted to
capture them wild struggle ensued, which
ended in the breaking of the balls Light
sprung from one and darkness from the other
These spirits compromised the matter and
agreed TO an alternate rule. The violent
struggle between them. however SO disturbed
the world that the anatomy Of the people aud
the surface Of the earth were both changed.
BACK AT FRISCO
The Thetis reached San Francisco shortly
after midnight on the eth Of December.
The cruise OF the Thetis SAID her COM
mander, was remarkable in several respects
among others in that, thanks to the open season
her staunch build and successful battling with
the Ice pack, she was enabled to reach Maken-
hav in Rrif