The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-17

ready for the increase in population. The
steamer st. Paul, belonging to the Alaska
Commercial Company, seldom takes up
more than 400 tons of freight year to st.
Michael's, which is the distributing depot
for the Yukon country. but this year she
carried up 800 tons, and the prospect is so
assuring for lively season next year on
the river that the steamer is now on her
way to San Francisco for another cargo of
supplies.
The report of the loss of the two bear
hunters from st. Matthew's island is con-
frmed by the arrival here of the survivor
of the Inflated expedition, Mr.. Peter
Verina, of Seattle. Mr.. Verina states that
he and his companions saw many bears on
the ice which surrounded the island dur
ing the winter, but owing to succession
of violent gales the ice along shore was
kept SO badly broken up that they could
not reach the animals. Twenty or thirty
bears landed near their camp, and they
killed five of them but hunting was prose-
cuted under great difficulties, and the men
could not remain long exposed to the
weather with the temperature from 80 to
90 degrees below zero. The ice left the
island on May 2, and passage was opened
over to Hall island, about twenty miles
north Of their camp on st. Matthew's, and
separated from the latter by channel
about four miles wide. Verina's two COM
panions, Joe Burns and John Pulsifer. de-
cided to take small boat belonging to the
party and attempt to reach Hall island, as
it was supposed the bears had been fright
ened away from the immediate vicinity of
the camp by the presence of the men and
would be found on Hall island. Verina
hoe OoA fhn 10 49, h.
was done moving. but his efforts
to restrain them were without
effect. They embarked in their boat on
May 4, started for Hail island and have
never since been seen. The revenue cutter
Bear picked up verina on her way north
early in June, and landed him at St.
Michael's, whence he secured passage
back southwark on the St. Paul. Captain
Healy also sent search parties out to look
for the two missing hunters, but without
success, and there is not one chance in a
thousand now that they are alive. 1t is
believed that their boat was either crushed
while landing or else the men hauled her
out in the ice to hunt bears. lost their
reckoning while wandering around amid
the labyrinth of ice hummocks and drifted
away. In either case death would be sure
to follow.
The crew of the whaling bark Northern
Light refused duty when ordered to take
the ship to sea after the repairs had been
completed on her bottom, claiming that
she was still unseaworthy. Captain Sim
monds, of the whaler. called upon the
United States authorities to guell the mu-
tiny and Commander Nichols, United
States navy, of the Ranger, at the request
of the crew, ordered another examination
of the vessel to be made. The board of
survey reported the vessel seaworthy for
a trip to San Francisco, but did not
consider it safe to allow her to go into the
Arctic, or where she would be likely to
encounter ice, until after she had received
more thorough repairs. The vessel was
then ordered to return to San Francisco.
Twenty-six of the whaIemen still held ont
and refused duty, and they were put in
irons. After several days of confinement
the men indicated desire to talk the
matter over, and Captain Carlson, of the
Rush, being the senior officer present, had
them brought before him. He explained
to the mutinous crew that their only way
Of release was by promising to turn to and
work the ship as directed by Captain Sim
monds, who had been directed to take her
to San Francisco by the authorities. and
tney having COnCluUeu tnat TINS was bet
ter than remaining in irons and risking
trial before court, agreed to go to work,
and were accordingly released. The yes.
sci will be ready to sail south in the course
OF week.
The boilers of the Albatross have al
most completely given out, and she has
been ordered by Senior Naval Officer Evans
to return 10 San Francisco for repairs.
The corps Of scientists on board the Alba
tross. collecting data regarding the seal in
Boring sea, will be distributed between the
Rush and Corwin, and these two vessels
will hereafter perform that additional
duty.
The steamer Alice Blanchard, from Seat
tie. Worth master, arrived here en- route to
st. Michael's on July "a, having on board
forty-four people belonging 10 the North
western Trading and Transportation Com
pany. which is new corporation intend
ing TO start a rival business to the Alaska
Commercial Company on the YUKON river.
The miners and settlers IN this country
are rejoiced to see the company come in.
for now supplies are so dear that it re-
quires rich mans capital 10 start life
here. Hopes are entertained that when
two companies are in the field such staples
as -four can be bought for less than SIS a
barrel, which is the present price up the