The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-17
EXPLORER AMONG THE OFFICERS.
Great Service of Lieut.. stony, of the
Philadelphia, in Alaska.


Philadelphia, in Alaska.
There is an interesting story of the mar
velous explorations Of Lieut.. q. NJ Stony,
now on board the Philadelphia. who en-
joys the distinction of being the only
naval officer who commanded a ship that
returned from the Arctic regions prior
10 the year 1883, all vessels that previous
~ went north In quest of scientific infor-
nation, or for the United States govern
ment, having foundered in the massive
mountains of ice, or having burned like
Wild fires.
In the year 1853 Stony was lieutenant
on the L. :. S. Rogers, which was dis
patched in search of the T.. $ S. Genesta,
commanded by Capt. belong, that had
gone in search of the North pole. The
Genesta was broken to pieces by icebergs
about three and a half miles north Of
the mouth of the Conbak river. only a
small number Of her officers and crew be-
ing saved. Immediately hereafter the
Rogers was burned in St. Lawrence bay,
In Siberia, in November, 1881. All OF her
officers reached shore safely, and We're
taken care Of by the natives until the
spring of lSS2 when they were picked up
by the whaling bark North Star. While
in that lonely spot where they abandon
ed their vessel. Lieut.. Putnam was drown
ed being carried off shore by a floating
mountain Of ice on which he stepped when
naming were transferred to the u. S.
cutter Corwin, then in Alaskan waters,
and were taken 10 San Francisco.
In 1888 the secretary Of the navy sent
Stony on a special mission on the cutter
Corwin, to distribute supplies 10 the ma
t!yes who had 50 kindly cared for the
shipwrccked officers and crew OF the
Rogers. When he returned ne was sent
in command of the L. 5. sealing schooner
Unalaska 10 explore the kouleuk river,
its tributaries and the surrounding lakes
and country. He went $50 miles up the
Kouleuk. which had never before been
really navigated. on the trip he changed
the name from Kouleuk to Putnam, in
honor Of the gallant and unfortunate Off
Ger Of tho Rogers who had lost his life in
that section.
After his successful return on the In
alaska. Stony was again, in the fall OF 1875,
dispatched in command Of an exploring
party aboard the merchant schooner Vi
king and on this trip he was again absent
about TWO years He made valuable dis
coveries during his stay in the Arctic cir
Gle furnishing the government with inn
p0rtant data concerning the navigahility
Of the now Putnam river and its trihu-
taries. IS Well as concerning the resources
Of the surrounding country. ne is the
first man. il Is said, who ever made
landing at and survey of the now famous
BorasIov volcanic island. which was first
seen By human eyes in 1883 when It made
its appearance In a miraculous manner.
It IS said that il came rs mountainous,
volcanic eruption from the sea. Il lies
forty miles west By southwest OfCnalaska
island. and IS considered by scientists as
one of the most peculiar formations on the
face q the earth. From this trip stony
returned 20 san Francisco in the fail of
lSs-. having achieved more success in the
way of exploration and iscovery in the
Arctic region than had ever before been
accomplished. one ~ the crew that ac-
comDane "a him on the trip on the schoon-
er TnaIaska ROW lives IN Port Townsend.
His name IS John Boyd. and ne Is q quiet.
urassurufag and Industrious 'loaeshore-
man. who speaks in terms Of highest
praise o. Lieut. stony and his daring
achievements IN the north