Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08
MAP OF ALASKA.

A.
the difference Of time thus established between
Tacoma and Sitka it was simple thing to fix
by mathematical calculation the precise longi-
tude of Sitka.
This season the steamer Hassler will carry
seven or eight chronometers, and taking Si.ka
as the starting point it will travel back and
forth between the various astronomical stations
on the southeastern coast and by the method
just described the exact longitude Of each OF
| the stations can be established.
THE EQUIPMENT.
The coast survey party will take with them q
full supply Of instruments and ample stores
for the seasons work and subsistence, and
every precaution will be taken to escape the
trying experiences which the two parties vino
located the 141st meridian were compelled to
undergo in the winters of 1890 and 1891. These
two parties were sent up to Alaska by the
government at the instance of the State De-
partment to establish the meridian and upper
boundary line and were led respectively by
Engineers j. f. McGrath and J. Henry Turner
of the coast survey. They set out in the spring
OF 1889 and did not return until the summer
OF 1891; McGrath's party took their way
from Boring up the Great Yukon
river to Belle Isle on the 141st me-
ridian, while Turner's party brancied of
northwestward from Fort Yukon and followed
the wlndings OF its tributary. the Porcupine
river. to Rampant House, likewise on the l41st
made astronomical calculations and erected
permanent landmarks and monuments Of stone
on the margins OF the watercourses as q means
of future Identification and measurement.
They even pushed their way as far north as the
Arctic ocean and set up on its frigid shore a
meridian leaves the ice-bound mainland to cut
through the icebergs to the north pole, less
than 20 degrees of latitude distant.
The hardsEips and sufferings they endured
were acute. McGrath'sparty, when the second
season came to an end, were obliged to STAY in
camp on the Yukon, because their work was not
quite finished. Turner's party, on the other
hand. although their work was completed, were
forced to remain at st. Michaels, on the west
coast, by reason of an unlucky accident which
prevented them from reaching the port until
after the last boat that season had left for San
Francisco. Both of these parties found the
cold weather of Ala ,ka appalling. While in the
months of July and August the heat al
most insufferable a couple Of months later
the temperature tumbled and jumped down to
80 and 40 and even to 60 degrees below zero,
and not only mercury, but coal oil and alcohol
were soldifed by the intense cold in a surpris-
ingiy short time. For twenty hours on each
day during the months of December and jan
uary no reading or writing could be done in the
winter quarters without the aid o; artificial
light, and their stock of oil was unhappiy very
limited. Still, despite all their perils and trials,
best of health and condition.
MAY LEARN MUCH ABOUT ALASKA
The outgoing explorers are expected to
return to San Francisco from Alaska BY the end
OF October next, laden with valuable informa-
ton touching the various native tribes and the
plant and animal life OF that wonderful
country. Alaska is still substantially a terra
incognita. notwithstanding all that has been
written and printed about it. Its area is $780,
900 square miles. and its shore line exceeds BY
1929 miles the combined lengths Of the Allan
tic, Pacific and gulf coasts OF the United States.
Its prize mountain, st. Elias. is the culminat-
ing point of the whole American continent,
being Is, 500 feet aboye the sea. Its great river
the Yukon, is one of the mightiest and most
wonderful in the world. 1900 miles long, and
measuring in some Of its interior reaches seven
miles across. The sun goes down in northern
Alaska about the middle Of November and does
not rise again until the latter part of january
Some Of the party will make special inquiry
into the mineral resources of the southeastern
section, particularly along the Stikiue river,
where several rich gold mines already be-
ing worked with great profit. The Treadwell
gold mines on Douglass Island, near by, display
the largest visible quantities of gold ore in the
world and rank among the most profitable. The
largest stamping mill in existence is in opera
ton there and between $50 and 260 stamps are
running day and night. Others Of the party
have arranged to collect and preserve
specimens OF insects, furs, plants and minerals
aside from gold. and it may be safely predicted
tina: the result of their labors. beside aiding in
the settlement of an international dispute, will
greatly enlarge the sum of scientific knowledge
respecting our valuable but little known north
west territory.