Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
TOWARD THE FROZEN NORTH.
A Scientific Expedition VIII Leave New Yorl
Tomorrow for Labrador.

|
Tomorrow for Labrador.
The steamship Portis, which leaves New York
today for St. Johns, n. f., will have among
its passengers Prof. Bickmore and two COM
panions-Mr. Robert Harris. formerly presi-
dent Of the Northern Pacific road, and Mr..
Beverly Robinson Of Staten Island. 1.-The prin-
cipal object of my trip this year. said the pro-
fessor yesterday. lis to study up the subject Of
Food Fishes from the Sea-
I'm previous years travelled over the famous
trout fishing grounds Of British Columbia and
there obtained much valuable information
about Food Fishes From Fresh Waters This
summer shall find out all can about the
mackerel, the cod and the halibut. The Portia,
after barely touching at Halifax, viii land at
st. Johns on the 10th of this month. We shall
remain in that vicinity one week, taking .
steamer on the 2lst instant for southern Labra-
dor. That steamer will land us at Battle Har-
Dor, where we will change to a third steamer,
visiting the various stations and fishing places
on the way. The trip to Main and back to st.
Johns will occupy about one month.
Upon returning to St. Johns we will almost
Immediately embark on journey around the
sootherly and westerly sides Of the island. We
expect to visit the various ports of the coast
and viii land upon the island of st. Pierre,
which, with the neighboring island, Miquelon,
constitute the only territorial possessions of
France In North America From st. Pierre We
VIII continue along the southerly coast of New
foundland and up the western shore TO the Bay
OF Islands, thence up the Humber river.
our party will make its way up that river as
far as possible. and, by means Of canoes and
land conveyances, we will cross the island to
Halls bay, on the Atlantic side. lam anxious
to See and study the geological structure of the
interior of Newfoundland. l want to see the
forestry also. and l am especially DESTROYS of
inspecting the grand coast of Labrador. There
are four sections of the globe noted for their
remarkable fords. They are Norway, Alaska,
Labrador and southern Chile have seen the
great fiords of Norway and Alaska. and after
this trip Chile will be the only one of the four
places that have not seen.
1t is our intention to go up the Atlantic
coast of Labrador between 800 and 400 miles
going In and out of the bays. This coast is
under the jurisdiction Of Newfoundland, and as
L have letter of introduction to the governor
OF that island from Mr.. Booker, the British
consul general here. and also letters to several
influential residents of Newfoundland. / feel
that we shall not want for facilities in pursuing
our researches. l shall be prepared to take
photographs Of the Labrador coast and like
Wise OF the big icebergs.
The coast of Labrador perhaps you will re-
member, was described BY some of the earliest
explorers as the abomination of desoation.'
Inc constant procession of lcebergs along the
Sooes hceps Tue temperature SO low that no
trees or foliage can live there. Grass of
stunted growth is found on the coast which is
bleak and uninyiting The last census taken on
the Labrador coast, from the Straits of Belle
Isle to Cape thudley. gave the resident popula-
ton as All persons Of which only sixty were
white people. When the fishing season opens
In early summer. however, fishermen from
scotland, England, France and northern Spain
gather there, and the population of the coast
increases to 80 600.
Our party will be away from New York for
at least two months. / shall make study of
the mackerel fisheries. .he cod fisheries and the
halibut fisheries, and probably shall see some
thing OF the seal fishing. The mackerel are
getting thlnned out in the seas. Speaking of
mackerel reminds me that last year when i was
In Gibraltar l ascertained that fishing firm
IN Gloucester. Mass, had made a contract to
take ali of the mackerel caught in the southern
waters OF the Straits OF Gibraltar for American
consumption. There is home enterprise for
you.
The Newfoundland government subsidies
nne OF swift steamers which ply between st.
john s and the coast of Labrador. One steamer
goes to southern Labrador every two weeks
ana another steamer goes to the northern coast
otLaprador once month during the warm sea-
sons. The region OF Labrador which expect
TO visit is more isolated than any part of
Greenland. The interior of Labrador is one of
the uneAplored sections Of the globe. and it Is
ono OF the most interesting sections, /