Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-02-13
New York World,
A Chance for Explorers.
Is THERE AN UNKNOWN LAND NORTH OF
ALASKAN

Is THERE AN UNKNOWN LAND NORTH Oh
ALASKAN
PORTLAND. ORE. Dec. Is. Capt. Geo.
b. Leavitt, of the whaling ship Spy of the
Pacific Steam Whaling Company, Is in
this city visiting his mother having re.
Gently arrived from Alaska. where he has
been for the past five years. He brings
the first news Of what may possibly be the
discovery Of a hitherto unknown land many
miles directly north Of Alaska. Capt.
Leayitts winter quarters are at Point Bar
row. the most northern point of Alaska,
and with his crew he has remained there
for five consecutive winters, beginning
operations a. early a. April. four month.
ahead OF the big whaling fleet that visits
the Arctic waters during the summer.
For some time, Capt, Leavitt says, the
natives in Northern Alaska and on the
small islands in that vicinity have been
telling stories of au unknown land to the
far North Many of the Older inhabitants
stoutly maintain that there is a larger land
north that no white mau has ever di-cnv-
cred, and that 1t is not down on any Of the
many maps Of the Arctic region. One of
their stories is 10 the effect that several
years ago an adventurous hunter Of the
tribe in Northern AIa-ka took dogs and
-lrdge~ and went north across frozen
sea. Nuthin. was heard Of him for over
year aud he was given up ~ lost. Then
he returned ami told II wonderful story Of
finding u"H land far acrn~> the ice.
Iherc he huit hut aud remained TIL the
Aater- iruzc over again, when he found
his NAY back TO Alaska.
But Capt LraNltt'- story about the dis
cutcry Is that during the cruise OF one OF
the vessels oI the whaling fleet, which ven
turrd many miles further north than any
Others. few years ago. her officers dis
covered II land hat could not be found on
any Of the charts or accounted for in any
way gaze drove the vessel far north
along the shore ui the land but the season
MAS 80 late THAT the men did not stop to
explore, dc>ltluS tp get south a. soon
a. the gale subsidized These men he 4
that 1t wa. an unknown land worthy II
exploration at The proper season. 40
Vessels have since been - far north
GAIT lca,itt thluk- thl> may settle tho
question ~ Al upcn polar "a. There arc
no lcc drf,, south N Point Barrow hr
~ay-. aud the i,c must find Nh outlet 10
some nthrr place purng thr summer
months thr vessels tud Tile ~,a very olrar.
The impression gaming ground anuu.
mrn ~ tile whaling hr.t Of whi.h Capt
Lra,itt', vessel J. a mrinhcr j. that thr ~
ttNc~ are not wrong 10 thcir b-i.cf That
there : Ian ! north Of Alaska. Lord Ions
dale " hen Ia thai locality ,.d MT hear ~
the adN cultures If thr native. and 'hs YES
sci already mentioned had not At that time
hccu driven north. The Arctic ocean D.,
fut of >h"si- far To- the north auH wrecks
arr numerous even in The most favorable
season Capt Lcaviti j. native of ths
Ciiy ami ha- high character for shiitty
snd tru-twurthIuc>S Ncxt season be- Will
command our ~ the large steam vessels ~
the company
tie ,,n- interesting stories ~ hi~ npvrl
winter lie In Northern Alaska aud -ays
THAT TIE hardship, are not ~ great a
-ht M nA- inrd.
nr~ Government live saving station
ha> hrcu Established Al Point Barrow which
j. capable ~ taking care Of luo men. apt.
IcaEltt hopes u see thi> region more tut
ly explored soon.