Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-09-09
THE MIDNIGHT SUN.
HERBERT L. ALDRICH.

just beyond Caps Lisburne, on the
Arctic coast of Alaska, some five hun.
dred miles above Behring Straits, are
extensive coal mines. The coal is easily
mined, and the Arctic whaleships make
these mines a rendezvous.
In midsummer there is a period of a
few weeks when little or no VIII ling
can be done on account of the ice
During this period GENDER" arrives
from San Francisco with supplies of
fresh provisions. the mail, ETC., and
carries back whatever whalebone and
oil the whalers may have secured.
The arrival of the tender is the most
important and ID ost look ed for ward to of
any event of the season, as she is the
only link that connects the whalemen
with the outside world, during per cd
of eight or nine months.
This midsummer period is during
the time of the midnight sun, and there
is continuous daylight for about six
weeks.
In 1887, twenty-three whale-shlps lay
at anchor off these mines. Shifts OF
men were working during the twenty
four hours of continuous daylight, lay
ing in coal for the coming cold DAYS
the eight hundred and fifty, or more,
men frequently scanned the horizon,
eager for the appearance of the tender;
for it was the middle of July, and not
a word had been heard from home
since the middle of March. Day after
day the sun had coursed around the
horizon. but not dipped below it. One
vessel after another laid in its supply
of coal, and was anxious to be off, but
still no tender came. She was due the
first week in July, but the 18th, 18TH,
18th and 18th of the month came. and
yet no news from her.
Regular watches were kept on b board
the vessels as if the sun rose at five
o'clock in the morning and set at six at
night. Even our rooster clupg to his
old habits and slept through the night
of daylight, not deigning to crow until
between four and five o'clock in the
morning. The various masters, an1-
ious to be off, met first on this vessel,
then on that, to discuss the delay in
the arrival of the tender and to decide
upon united course of action in case
She did not appear soon.
Toward noon on the 10th, q faint
mirage was seen off the cape. Very
little air was stirring, and the mirage
grew more and more distinct until the
tender was seen in every spar and sail,
clearly outlined on the smooth sea as If
drawn on glass. But she was keel
up
Three hours later, the vessels hull
was in full view above the horizon.
She was under full sail with flags and
colors at the mastheads, bearing the
Joyous signal of news from home.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock before
she reached her anchorage. Not to
waste any time, the captain had boat
lowered, and before the tenders anchor
was let go, we were alongside.
No words can describe the situat on
Or feelings as We reached the deck.
Hands were shaken, a few anxious
inquiries hurriedly made, and then
each man betook himself to some quiet
corner with his letters, to read the
messages from the loved ones at home.
AS l sat on the rail, looking astern
Of the vessel, dreamIly pIcturing scenes
at home, l looked out over the vast ex-
panse of ocean. Here and there hoated
a cake of ice. All was so still, SO
solemn, yet in tune with my thoughts.
The short, choppy sea kept the rudder
,reF1 ing. The sun, far above tho
horizon, cast a clear, yellow light-so
clear that the distant hills on shore
were distinct in every contour-and tho
,igging of every vessel riding at anchor
IN the short, rolling sea was sharp in
outline.
With my camera resting on my knee,
took an instantaneous photograph as
the sun came out from behind a veil ol
clouds and cast its long sheen over tho
sea, from the horizon almost to the very
stern of the vessel.
Entirely wrapped in my reverie, l
'at watching the ceaseIess sea, and the
glow of the sunlight, thinking only Of
The world 30 many thousands of miles
away. Four months of hardship and
iauger were yet ahead of us. This
tile craft would carry our messages
nome, but with her would go all COM !
selves entered port. What changes
night these months bring FORTH
"Man the .Lucretia's' boat" was the
.ude intrusion upon my reverie, and
i've strong oars were soon carrying US
TO our own vessel.
AS the captain and l came over the |
all, the man at the wheel struck eight |
1ells.
"Just midnight" said the captain.
''And here is the midnight sun, l
ldded. Suiting my action to my words,
took another picture looking off toward
he vessels that lay straining gently at
heir anchor cables.
Yellow as the light was, both pictures
anne out well. Fine detail may be
acking; but the pictures bring back
lood of recollections as they recall the |
hangers of that season in the Arctic, |
nd our isolation from home civilizs-
ion, and the worid.-S Nc hOlaS.