New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-20
ALASKA'S BOUNDARY.
TO BE FINALLY DETERMINED THIS
SUMMER.

SURVEYORS OF THE ARCTIC PROVINCE WORKING
IN TROPICAL JUNGLEs.
Seattle Wash. May 7 (SpeciaD-The United
States steamers Hassler and Patterson are now on
their way to Alaska with the twelve officers OF the
Coast and Geodetic Survey who are performing
the work which will ultimately determine the
boundary line between Alaska and the British pos
sessions The Importance OF this work and the
difficulties surrounding Il generally under
stood When Alaska came into our possession we
accepted the Anglo-Russian treaty which deslg-
mated a range of mountains thirty miles from the
coast as a boundary between the two territories.
This range OF mountains was reported by Vancou-
YER who described 1t as following the line OF the
coast from the head OF Portland Canal Fort Smp-
SOM to Mt St Elias. Such range would indeed
form a good boundary line. II 1t existed, as II
certainly appears to from the deck or snip. Inc
whole country is extremely mountainous. but so
far no well-dehned chain of mountains has been
located by the surveyors.
This IS the third summer OF the survey. and 1t Is
confidently expected that the work will be COM
pleted this year A Canadian commission under
Professor King, chief astronomer OF the CANADIAN
Land Survey Corps has already been sent 10 the
Northwest and will meet and work with the
American party.
The first step in the undertaking made two
wears ago when the longitude of Sltka was de-
termined This in itself was task Of no small
magnitude there being telegraph to Alaska.
Twenty picked chronometers were placed on poard
the steamer Queen. the regular Alaska boat which,
with an astronomer in charge made tweive TRIPS
between Stka and Tacoma. An astronomical sta
ton was then established at Yakutat Bay and its
longitude fixed from Sitha. This summer the Hass-
Ter will carry chronometers back and forh IRON
Sitka TO Chkat TO determine the longitude OF the
latter station. The work in the interior Is fraught
with difficulties OF which only a partial idea can
be conveyed. All through this country the mos
Quito nd 50
thirsty that life is endurable only when every part
OF the body is protected from the insects Gloves
are worn all the time and a bag OF netting
completely covers the head ana neck
The mild and genial climate" OF Alaska,
that is TO say. the !ncessant fog ana
rain and the warm steam which answers for
atmosphere, makes astronomical observation al
most impossible. In midsummer the sun sets at
o'clock later; 1t is light enough TO read news
paper until midnight; and o'clock the sun rises.
Ii will be seen that in clear weather the as
tronomers working hours are very short This
continued daylight also contributes to growth OF
vegetation more extrayagant than that OF a the
line and are so choked with underbrush, gigantic
ferns devils club. and other poisonous SHRUBS a.
be utterly impossible save Mhete trans are Ia
borIously chopped through. Thirty-two slashers,
clearers and other woodmen accompanied tns
These. with the twelve regular Officers OF the
survey divide into FIVE groups sail m the pa ch lou
Chilcoot and Taiya nlets. carrying neasureineu.ls
and establishing the ASTRONOMICAL STATION az Shiiss
kat. J. +. McGrath, assistant superlntendeht OF
the Coast and Geodetic Survey Service, Win one
assistant and seven men. expect TO work from
Yakutat Bay southwark. where they VIII JON MI:
Pratt's party. Another party or seven carry
measurements up the Unuk River TO the thirty
mile point and the other two groups VIII operats
in the interior . ,,a,. -
The rivers and streams OF Alaska are dliicuii, OF
navigation at this time of the year being swollen
with melted snow very rapid and full or logs ana
drift The ordinary boats having proved maze s,s.
Guate others were built in Seattle this winter aiter
plans made by Mr.. Pratt. They are constructeo
after the idea OF a whaleboat. with plenty OF sheer
each boat being % feet long, feet incnes wiue.
and IS inches deep. \ steam launch OF thirty IONS
belonging the Survey Will also De useu "me men
practicable The topography or the country VIII
be dellneated by means OF photography, severai
cameras accompanying the survey: All measures
ments are determined by trianguatlon