The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-12-16
IS AN HISTORIC CUTTER.
THE CoRwIN AND SOME OF HER
ADVENTURES.
Two Voyages to the Extreme North, One
of Them to Discover the Lost
"Jeannette."

Inc saucy little Corwin is probably
the most admired of any craft in The
bay. In her there is evident the happy
blending of several lit ideas of men OF
the sea. She is trim, speedy and ia con
struction and experiment well fitted for
varied service. Her full title, "rhe
United States Revenue Cutter Corwin, "
suggests world of interest. 1t hints of
a liue of duty, full of adventure and
mentions an idolized American.
This elderly midget of the White
squadron has had quite career. To.
day, after a cruise of vital portent, she
sits a smooth sea in warm zone, A
few years ago she was buffeted about in
Arctic waters. Now she is far from
danger, Then she was in constant peril.
Any moment might have witnessed her
obliteration in the merciess ice fields
! But manned by brave anu hardy Gre w
volunteered for a trip fraught with
countless risks, she was safely man
aged.
Two jeanette relief expeditions"
we're made by the Corwin. Captain
| Hooper commanded. 1t was at the gem
eral request of citizens that the Govern
ment sent the cutter to search for the
Inflated De Long and his venturesome
companions.
Leaving San Francisco May 22, 1880,
the orders of the Corwin were to proceed
as far north as possible. She was to
seize whisky traders, relieve starving
Esquimaux and gain information of the
jeanette. She lefteOunalaska June 9th.
Heavy ice was encountered tmmedi.
taI
was made off Nuniwak island. Natives
who had never seen fire or looking.
glass came aboard. At st. Michael's,
June 20, pleasant visit was had, with
traders. This post had a tributary
region 1000 miles in extent. Enormous
quantities of furs were brought in by
Indians. These savages killed all game
with spears, and their combats with
bears are described as most thrilling.
Reaching st. Lawrence Island June
Goth, tn, Corwin came into the starva-
ton district. In four villages 1874 dead
were found unburied. An epidemic had
followed a season of famine. Sur
vivors were furnished with supplies.
Two whisky schooners largely to blame
for the awful misery, were captured aud
confiscated.
On this voyage five attempts to reach
high latitude were made by the Cor
win. On account of the ice fields, no
success of note attended these efforts.
May 4, 1881, the dauntless little patrol
was again headed to the north pole On
steaming out of the Golden Gate she
was given grand Boa uoyage. She
sailed direct to st. Lawrence Bay. The
natives were in good circumstances, but
wanted liquor. land tour across
country and along coast to Serdze was
undertaken by Lieutenauts Herring and
Reynolds ana seaman. Their outfit
consisted of two sledges, twenty eight
dogs and two natives. This Journey
was accomplished in twenty. eight days,
with few incidents and no results of
moment. They had bad weather and
were visited often by the natives, who
seemed to be the most wanton liars in
the world. Some wreckage from the
whaler Vigilant was picked up. The
detail rejoined the Corwiu at Seize and
the next stop was at Plover Bay, 81
IBERIA. This sleaming WAS through ice |
fields nigh and day. The Corwin now
made run to the northern coast OF
Alaska and replenlshed her coal bunk.
ers. Then followed quick run to Her
aid Island.
After innumerable narrow escapes in
the ice q ,es the cutter on August I2,h
anchored at the south end OF Wrangel
land. Captain Hood took possession of
this territory on behalf of the United
States and named it New Columbia 1t
was recorded that in this atmosphere
conversation in ordinary tones could be
carried on between persons two miles
apart.
AT Point Barrow August 10Th the
crew of the whaler Daniel Webster was
rescued August Gath found the cutter
again at Plover Bay. Here they met
the Golden Fleece, with Lieutenant Ray
and party aboard, and received tidings
of the death of President Garfield and
the whereabouts of the Rogers. another
relief boat.
Again the Corwin put into the ice,
but found no trace of the Jeanette. On
October Gath the racer, fighter. explorer
and relief boat again docked at San
Francisco.