Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-10-12
THE BEARS CRUISE
And the Interesting Information Obtained
Concerning Alaska.

WASHINGTON. Oct. lI-Capt. M. A.
Hssly, commanding the revenue steamer
Bear, has made q report to the Treasury
Department in regerd to the recent cruise
Of that vessel in the Arctic Ocean. II is
dated UBalaska, Alssks, Sept. II, and gives
q detailed account of the places visited and
the services performed during his two
and q half months cruise in the Arctic
Ocean. Cape Prince of Wales was reached
July 7, and ii was then found impossJb
on sccount Of the ice, to proceed further
north, and it was determined instead to
gather information regarding the intro
duction into Alaska of tame reindeer pro-
cured from the Siberian coast. Visits were
paid TO East Cape snd Indlsn Point and
Holy Cross bay, In the Gulf OF Ansdir.
Several men were found wiling to sell
deer, and arrangements were made to call
next year and buy all they we're ready TO
part With. the Bear entered the Arctic on
July 26 and arrived at Point Hope Juy 29.
Point Belcher was reached on Aug. IL,
ard it was found that the ice pack vas
solid to the north ss east along the sho'e,
with no signs of moving, and it was impos-
sible to reach the Point Barrow relief sta
ton to deliver the coal and Provisions
brought from San Francisco. No vessel
was able to proceed further north THAI
oint Be,cher. Although the station WAS
no. reached, word VAS received from the
superintendent saying that tney have cosl
snd other supplies sufficient to carry them
comfortably through another yeN, except
in case of some great disaster The
schooner Silver Wave Of San Francisco
VS. wrecked on Point Franklin in October,
1890, 81 the crew was succored At the s.s
ton until this spring. Capt. Healy says
that the report Of the crews Of the three
vessel. that wintered at Herschel Island
ale evidently incorrect, as all were well
when he last heard from lhem.
Not being able to delay longer the Bear
proceeded south op Aug 23 going to the
Arctic Siberian coast ard at Euchowsn
purchased eight reindeer, taking four on
board and leaving the others till next year
Kings island WAS visited on the 30th, on
which there vss village of 200 natives
They were found to be short of provisions,
osine to bad hunting and fishing season
a I'D were in actual danger of starvation.
The sum OF $3.50 was subscribed by officers
and passengers on the Bear AMI all the
food supply obtsinsble at s.. Michsels
was purchased for the islanders with the
view Of bridging them over until the seal
log begins.
Capt. Hesly considered this good time
to sgsin call attention to the cruel ir ust,ce
of the law prohibiting the sale of breech-
loading arms to the natives Of Arctic
Alaska. especially S. their lives depend
on their success in hunting. The white
men have made the seal and valrps 80 shy
that the spea ars Of the natives sre DO longer
Of Ary avail. During the summer school
house was bull, on 81, Lawrence Island,
m ,sina four schools north Of the Yukon
/ he schools have had mOst h.,teriDg
success, and within the short space Of one
yesr Capt Hesly says "knovledga has
gained firm hold in the c uniry, and
under the fos,ering care Of the present
management it premises to increase and
carry with it attending civilization to this,
the furthss 81. end Of our domain
In closing his report Capt. Hesly says
Daring this cruise much Information has
been gained concerning reindeer, msny
plans and iieas started will bsve been
changed, suparstitioDs exploded, snd the
matter Of the introiuc ion Of the animals
into Aiasks has t,ken such 8 bold upon
both natives and whites that it Is nov the
m 7st important question before the country.
Tie NATIVES. everywhere quick TO see the
advantages Of such IN excellent soim 81 in
their possession, have expressed their earn
est desire for them, yhils the whites on the
Yukon see in them the solution Of the
problem they have lorg been attempting to
solve. Food supply and climate are identical
with that of Siberis, and the visible supply
Of moss upon which reindeer principally
subsist vss found to be more sbuadant 10
Alaska than 8. any place along the Siberisn
coast. The deer seem to me TO be the
solution Of three vital questions Of existence
10 the country. viz: food. clothing and
transportation, and believe thss under the
care and attention Of white men the useful
nes Of the animil will be inmeasursbly
improved upon IS il now 10 in Siberis -