Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-27
TnG Bowdoin Scientific Expedition to
Llbgador.

Llbgad,r.
Mr. Rupert Henry Baxter Of The class Of
"a, Bowdoin College. who accompanies the
expedition to Labrador which sails from
RJs klsHd today, June 20, furnishes the
following interesting account Of the expe-
disinn and its purposes to the B osson Eve
ming Transcript. 1. will be read with great
interest:
Leslie A. Lee, Pm. D., Of Bow doin Col
Iege, some time aso conceived the idea Of
.ssdipg An expedition for scientific pur-
poses to the coast OF Labrador, that region
If ice and foge so dreaded By the old nsvi-
gators. who often csme to grief while push
ing their sturdy bsrks through the danger
ous passages which soouud along this rocky
;osst. Here il was that Gsspsr Cofteresl
20 myst, riously disappeared after giving
he name Labrador, or laborer's land, to
he wild and foYbiddirg country upon whose
shores he bad kidnapped number Of the
savage inhabitants. for the purpose of SELL
ing them IS slaves in Portugal; and here
als brother. Miguel, the next year, as mys-
seriously disappeared when engaged in
searching for his lost brother. IL is to this
tesiou--stiii. strange to say. = terra tacog
aita-that Professor Lee proposes to con-
,tucI his expedition. As soon - his plans
became public, applics,ious to accompany
I were showe.ed upon him by students and
icientis,s from sll parts of the country +;
Jus preference Was accorded to students Of
3ow dsin College, which resulted in the
'el ciqn OF the following named: Msssrs
Parker. SO; Carey, 81; Cole. 'ss;
Rice, SO; ffnrt,,Aso Lincoln, Hastings,
r. G Newbsgir, Cilley, Simorton, Hunt,
Pol; Rich and Yourg, '92; Bsgley and
Bsx,er, 94.
The p.rsy will sail from Rocklsrd, Me .
IN Saturday, Jure 81, ard will proceed
directly to R'golet, Labrador, although a
lay or more may be passed on Anticosti
should time .permit. The route OF the
sxpeti ion will be through the strait Of
Belle Isle, in order to avoid icebergs,
which at this season of the year are very
lumsrous off The Nes foundland Banks.
|. has been remarked that Labrador is
sill an unexplored country, and such it
really 10, even the adventurous sgents OF
the IIud.on Bay Company not having
KIP. .ored is to any considerable extent; but
.xo of them, Mclean and Kennedy,
ever have reached the falls Of the
Graud river, q region regarded by the
super stitious natives with awe; in
Iced, they believe that GO white man can
look upon ,hese mysterious falls, perhsps
be giaudest upon the globe. and live 70
Iescr.be their wonders to the outside world.
Il is the intention Of party composed OF
Msssrs. Bssley, Baxter, Carey and Lin
eolp, to lesve the main body Of the expe-
,ition at Rigolet, and with Indian guides to
proceed up the Grand river, to locste. il
possible, these falls, about which 50 much
aas been surmised.
After the departure OF the Grand river
party, the expedition will push north to
Main and Okkak. at both Of which places
parties will be formed for pathological,
botanical and geological study; and the
COLLECTIONS made in these branches OF
science will be placed in the Cleveland cab.
met of owdoin College.
The scientific party hope to reach point
,s far north as Cape Chudleigh, that 10, If
time should permit. The Grand river
branch will remain at Hopsdale for the
re,urn Of the vessel Of the expedition, when
he whole party will turn their faces home.
ward. proceeding along the eastern coast OF
Newfoundland and making frequent stops
At interesting plsces. The vessel, which BY
she way is the julia A. Decker OF Rock
land, 10 thoroughly equipped with n, t., etc,
and furnished by the United STATES nsh
CON mission with dredging apparatus.
Leslie A, Lee. Phi. D., assistant in the
United States Anatomical Commission in
1878. assistant in the United StAtes Fish
Commission since 1881, and professor OF
nioIogy and geology at Bowdoin College, 10
the leader 4of the expedition. In lss7.ss,
in charge Of the scientific sAf he made
voyage around South Americs, from Wash.
ipaton to San Francisco, on The oniteo
States steamship Albatross. and the col
lsctions made during this cruise, amount
inr to nearly carload. were placed In the
hsnds of uaturalists at Washington and have
eont,ibuted considerably to science.
The Labrador expedition hope to return
to Bovdoin College esrly in October, bu'
.houId the weather prove stormy Will on
a, lxyed till later.