The record-union., 1897-11-10

WASHINGTON. Nov. 9.-The Cabinet
to-day gave considerable attention to
the ice-bound Behring Sea whale fleet
Two plans have been decided upon, one
TO send the Bear from Seattle, which
cannot be got ready for two weeks, and
another to send the Thrasher, the whal-
ing vessel now at San Francisco. This
latter determination was reached after
the receipt Of a telegram by Secretary
Long from the commandant of Mare
Island Navy Yard. The Thrasher can
be provisioned at once and sent imme-
diately on her mission.
1t is stated that there is a very good
supply of provisions at Point Barrow
and another supply at Herschel Island
and at least three vessels well supplied
with provisions will winter in the Arc
tic.
The information laid before the Cabi-
net to-day as a, basis for its action in
the matter of relieving Whalers was con-
tanned in the following telegram:
Mare Island (Cal), Nov. Sth-
Secretary of Navy, Washington, d.
C.-Captain Barker reports as follows:
Captain Devell of the whaling steamer
Orcha says the Freeman, Belvidere and
Rosario We're at Point Barrow on Sep
tember 18th. with about 100 men.
These are now probably closed in by ice
near that place. The whaling steamers
Newport, Fearless, JEANNE and Wan
derer We're at Herschel Island August
26th, with about 115 men. All of the
above vessels We're expected to return
this fall, and had only about three
months rations. Besides the above
ships there were several vessels at
Herschel provisioned for one year and
two and three years, prepared to stay
in the Arctic, and intending to sail soon
for the vicinity of the mouth of the
Copper Mine River to winter.
Captain Devell says there are about
400 barrels of flour at Point Barrow. He
does not think there will be any starv-
ing among the whalers this winter,
though they may be on greatly reduced
rations.
'Stoney's plan seems advisable: To
send the Bear or steam whaier Thrash
er, now at San Francisco, with prOvis-
ions. medicine and clothing, 300 men,
for one year. to Port Clarence or Norton
Sound, as soon as possible. There are
reindeer at Port Clarence to pack pro-
visions TO Point Barrow, and for food
supply. following the shore line, ana
keeping a lookout for whalers. The
plan requires four officers, one being a
surgeon, and four men for the navy.
The chances of success are regarded
as slight, and every days delay VIII
add to the difficulties. Any vessel going
should sail a the earliest possible mo-
ment. San Francisco is the best point
to secure necessary outfits, and to sail
from. The whaler Thrasher is ready
for sea and in good order, and can be
chartered now. The widest discretion
must be given the commanding officer
of the expedition in the securing of the
crew and supplies, including reindeer
and dogs. KIRKLAND,
"Commandant"
THE BEAR NOT READY TO SAIL.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 9.-Secretary
Cage received the following telegram
from Captain Tuttle, in command of the
Bear, now at Seattle, Wash:
Repairs to boilers, air pump, bridge
walls and docking vessel cost 81 800.
Before the Bear can reach St. Michael
the bay Will be frozen over. The vessel
cannot winter at St Michael, as the ice
would carry it away. There is no har-
Dor north of Unalaska that does not re-
main frozen until late in June. Behring
Straits is closed by ice in November. and
remains so until June when the waters
at Point Barrow are within six miles
Of the point and eighteen miles of the
former refugee station.
II understand from Captain McGregor
of the steam whaler Karluk that Liebes.
agent at the refugee station, has about
300 barrels of flour With this and the
provisions of five vessels, shere should
be no starvation. Those frozen in at
Demarkation Point have the supply sta
ton at Herschel Island to fan back
upon.
While it will pre baby be necessary to
abandon the vessels, ! do not appre-
hend that the crews VIII meet with any
thing worse than privations and hard
ships. The Bear can be ready to start
IN two weeks There is plenty of coal
at Unalaska. I can see no way OF rem
dering assistance until the ice opens in
July
Notwithstanding the almost hopeless
ness of the task, as indicated by Captain
Tuttle, Captain Shoemaker, Chief of the
revenue cutter service, gave instruc-
tions for the immediate repair of the
Bear. with a view of being ready for
sea at the earliest possible moment.
Point Barrow, near which the ice
bound whalers are supposed TO be, IS
5000 miles north of Seattle, and about
1900 miles north of Alaska.