The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-21

Island about the time the happy event
occurred.
The baby was christened Helen Herschel
Sherman and surely a more strange or
solemn event never took place in Arctic
wilds. In the midst of waste of ice and
snow, with the thermometer at 38 degrees
below zero. a Christian father and mother
took the vows that bound them to bring
UP their little one, born in such strange sur
roundings, in the nurture and admoni-
ton of the Lord"
The letter containing the latest news
from the imprisoned fleet arrived via Fort
Mcpherson and Sitka two days ago. Be-
fore 1t reached regular mail route it had
to be carried 1000 miles through ice and
snow by Indian runners. In his opening
sentences the writer says with evident sat
isfaction, 1--WE will be home in November.
God willing" Continuing, he gives the
following extracts from his diary:
On October 16, 1894, we went into our win
ter quarters and at once froZe hard and fast.
On the Herschel Island sand spit the Pacific
steam Whaling Company erected substantial
building, in which there are all conveniences
for the officers. We have a billiard-table
SWITCHBOARD, boxing gloves and single sticks
and good library. We have deer and bears
meat in abundance and frequently cartridges.
In spite of this, the men have suffered very
much from scurvy, and some of them have
been permanently injured.
III. A
sailor on the Rosario died of consumption. He
was weakly when he left San Francisco, and
could not stand the Attic climate.
November ia Portuguese boatsteerer on
the Thrasher named julie attempted to reach
the mainland. There was blizzard at the
time and he got lost 1t was A P. NJ. the next
day before he was recovered, and then he was
left hand were frozen, and had to be amputa-
ted, three fingers on his right hand had to be
taken off at the first joint, two toes of his right
fha tive na LOT 1Aft tal-
Off, and, strange to say, he is still alive and
hearty, but will be cripple for life.
November 27-Saw the sun for the last time
for many weary weeks.
December 17--Chief Engineer Peake of the
Jessie H. Freeman died of heart disease. He
was buried with all available Masonic honors.
January S-Once more we can see the sun.
Thank God.
February IA Kanaka sailor on the steamer
Alexander went out after deer. He left the
other hunters, saying he was tired and that he
would return to the ship. He did not show up
and search party found him badly frozen.
He died five days later
February 20-A sailor on the Triton died of
consumption. Many of our men cannot stand
the cold
February 23-Coldest day of the season.
Thermometer "A degrees below zero.
March 12-Three men from the Thrasher
went after Polar bears. One of the party got
lost in the snow and his body has never been
recovered.
wives of the captains wintering here. He and
dozens of others in the fleet owe their lives to
the careful nursing OF the most excellent
women.
April ga sailor on the Rosario died OF con-
sumption.
April la stabbing ARRAY occurred on the
steamer Newport A Mexican named Lopez on
the Newport attempted to kill Boatsteerer
Hughes of the Alexander. Hughes was terribly
slashed, but has now recovered.
April 16-The Rev. Stringer has Just arrived.
He is young, tall, strongly built and tough
and wiry man. He is very much in earnest
and has done much good among the Esqui-
mauX.
May 9-Best news of all. The wife of Captain
A. C. Sherman of the Beluga gave birth to
bouncing baby girl. Her name is to be Helen
Herschel and the christening takes place on
the 18th. Rev. Stringer will perform the cere-
mony. We are going to have a concert and
dance in honor OF the event.
Shortly after the above extracts were
written the fleet went out of its winter
quarters and made for the open sea. The
accompanying cut shows the taking of the
first whale after the breaking up of the ice.