The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-10
Rescue of the Nipped-In Ships Will
Be Difficult.
Revenue Cutter May he Sent From
seattle or the Tkrasher From
San Francisco-The Latter Can Re
PrOvi&i0ned ut Once. hut the Bear
Would He Delayed Two Weeks
Capt. Tattle Does Not Believe
There VIII he Starvation, and
Can See No Way 20 Render As
ststance 10 Them Before July.

II II Is considered necessary that the
revenue cutter Bear should proceed North
in an endeavor tn relieve the whaling YES
sels imprisoned by ice In the Arctic ocean,
she can be ready 10 start in two weeks
from the receipt of orders some repairs
being required preparatory TO so long a
voyage. Capt Tuttle, of the Bear. had
received no orders yesterday. In reply TO
a telegram from Secretary Gage asking
his opinion as to the advisable of send
Ing the Bear. he sent a dispatch stating
that he could see no way of rendering as
sisiance until the ice opens in July, as the
Bear at this late season. could not go
within 200 miles of the captive vessels. In
this opinion he is supported by other navi-
gators experienced In Alaska waters. As
for shedding supplies over the ice by dogs.
or reindeer. Capt. Tuttle considers II i'm
practicable. because OF the roughness OF
the country. He holds out the hope that
with the provisions on hand there win be
want, but not starvation.
Following is the text Of the telegram he
SEM yesterday to Secretary Gage:
Repairs on the Bear will cost 81 500.
Before the Bear can reach St. Michael the
pay VIII be frozen over. A vessel cannot
winter at st. Michael as the ice would
carry II away. There is no harbor north
or Unaiaska that does not remain frozen
until late In June. Bering straits are closed
by ice in November and remain so until
June. The whaiers at Point Barrow are
within six miles Of the point and eighteen
miles from the former refuge station.
understand that Liebes' agent at the ref
uge station has about 200 barrels OF flour.
With this and the provisions on the FIVE
vessels there should be no starvation.
Those frozen I'm at Demarkation point have
supply station at Herschel island TO fall
back upon. The Bear can be ready to start
in two weeks. There Is plenty OF coal at
Cnaiaska. I can see way Of rendering
assistance until the ice opens. in July
notwithstanding the hopeiessness Of the
task, as indicated by Capt Tuttle. a tele-
gram received here last night stated that
Capt. Shoemaker. chief of the revenue SER
vice. will give instructions for the inmedl-
ate repair OF the Bear. with view Of be-
ing ready 10 start at the earliest possible
moment. II Is desired TO change the Bears
propeller from two blades to four. giving
her greater speed. An Associated Press
dispatch from Washington says:
The cabinet gave considerable atten-
ton today TO the icebound Bering sea
whaling fleet Two plans have been d.
cided upon. One Is to send the Bear from
Seattle, and another is TO senG the InFas .
or, whaling vessel now at Sar Fran
at once and sent Immediately on her mis-
sion. while the Bear will be delayed two
weeks II IS stated that there is good
supply OF provisions At Point HarTow
information laid before the Gao.aSt too
az a basis for its action In the matter of