Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-15
NIaGARA.s NORTHERN RIVAL.
The Grand Falls i'm Labrador Explored b
the Eowdoin Expedition.

the Eowdoin Expedition.
The schooner Julia Decker arrived at Por
Hawkesbury. c. T., Friday, having on board
| the members OF the Bowdoin scientific expedi
| ton. The results of the trip to Labrador have
far exceeded the hopes of the projectors
Grand falls have been discovered and photo
graphed and, though not as high reported
presented beautiful sight. The total fall ii
upward Of 500 feet divided into one fall of zoe
| feet and six rapids and cascades varying from
100 feet to % feet.
The exploring party of four men, all gradu-
ates Of the college, headed by Austin Cary, lef,
their schooner on Sunday, July 26. They were
provided with two Rushton boats and all the
modern instruments for measuring heights and
distances. Their success IN navigating the
river far exceeded their expectations, and such
good progress was made that on August they
had passed Lake Waminikapou and had reached
n point five miles in advance of the furthest
point reached by Mr.. Holme in 1888. At this
place. on account of n disabled arm, Mr..
Young and companion were obliged to turn
back. reaching RIgolet on August II.
Messrs. Cary and Cole proceeded on toward
the falls, which had been reported to be dis
tant fifty miles After going a short dis
lance they were obliged, on account of the
rapidity of the current to leave their boat
and make the journey on foot. From this
point their progress was necessarily very
slow, the woods being very thick and the
mosquitoes and black flies almost unbeara-
bic. The explorers found the falls to be
much further away than they expected. but
on August 10, after a three days tramp.
their labors were rewarded by deafening roar
IN the distance. Their provisions wero now
nearly gone. stores having been cached on
the way up, but they pushed resolutelv on
10 the height of Labrador plateau. called the
"Height of Land" 1t is this plateau which
is the source OF the stream, aud the descent
of the river to the sea forms the falls aud
rapids.
As they neared the falls magnificent sight
spread before them. The spray, which was
visible for twenty miles, rose in a cloud from
the descent of the water, and the solid rock
beneath their feet trembled perceptibly. From
the falls the water flows through a canyon
formed of arch@n rock, the sides of which rise
to u height of 500 feet and are heavily wooded
at the top. Through this canyon the water
flows with terrific force, making 1t absolutely
impossible for any boat to live III such sea.
The height of the falls has been exaggerated,
and. while presenting grand and beautiful
sight. the falls measure only 200 feet in the per-
pendicular. The rapids increase the total alti-
tude of the falls to 500 feet.
Above the falls the width OF the river ia 500
yards. narrowing until it reaches the falls to a
width of only fifty yards, when 1t plunges with
terrific roar over the rapids and falls into the
narrow gorge below. Mr.. Cole descended to
the foot of the falls and succeeded in obtaining
some good photographs OF them. Having COM
pleted the observation of the falls the explorers
kept on d few miles above to the Height of
Land. where, from peak christened by them
Mount Hyde-Bowdoin, they had fine prospect
of the surrounding country. The plateau is
nearly all wooded. with thick, though not
large, growth of soft timbers.
At this point, their provisions being all but
gone. they set out for return. On reaching
the point where they left their boat they found
that the camp fire which they had built had
consumed the boat, and with il their whole
stock Of provisions. gun and an octant. Their
position was now somewha. critical. Three
hundred miles on a river heretofore unex-
plored, with no boat. no help and no provisions
until they would reach their first cache They
set bravely TO work. however, and, with small
hatchet for their only implement, constructed
q small raft binding the logs together with
spruce roots. On RATS made in this way they
traversed the 800 miles to the mouth of the
river. enduring the greatest hardship.
Their only weapon was small revolver. for
which they had but twenty-five cartridges.
With it they shot few squirrels making meal
on each animal. On the way down five differ
ent RATS were constructed, the making of
which, in their wasted condition. consumed a
great amount of time and energy. They reached
the vessel September l, receiving a royal well
come from their friends. The falls which they
have discovered are reported to have been
seen by two employees Of the Hudson Bay Com
pany, but no authentic account of any such
discovery has been given. The successful re-
suit of the expedition is due wholly to the
heroic efforts of Messrs. Cary and Cole. and
Bowdoin College may we'll be congratulated by
her sister colleges for the addition which she
has made to the heretofore scant knowledge Of
the geography of Labrador.