The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-08-25
THE KLoNDYKE.
A Warning to doldssekers From
British Colonial Office

Parties here who are thinking Of
going TO the Klondyke will do we'll
to read the following warning issued
from the immigration Department
of the British Colonial Office:
The gold discoveries on the Klon-
dyke River are situated in distant
and desolate rigion, Trustworthy
reports state that the district is ex-
tremely rich in gold. The mining
carried on is placer mining, but
gold-bearing quartz has also been
found in places. Regulations gov
erning placer mining there are those
of May 81, 1897, and may be seen at
this office. The winter is very severe
and lasts from October to the end
OF May, the Thermometer going down
to as much as 50deg. and 60deg. be-
low zero. During this time work is
only possible to a limited extent,
where frewood is available to thaw
the
FROZEN GRAVEL
and make it ready to be washed as
soon as the flow OF water in the
spring will permit. The Klondyke
River falls into the Yukon, in the
Northwest territories of Canada,
about 100 miles from the frontier
between Canada and Alaska. There
two routes to it: Qst.) By the
steamer Quebec, and thence by the
Canadian Pacific Railway to Vic
toria or Vancouver Citizen days, low
est fare ELS, lbs, Cd, thence by
steamer to the mouth Of the Yukon,
in Alaska, which is not open till
about July l, and thence up the
Yukon for 1900 miles, taking 18 to
20 days. This route is only open
from about June to September, and
the total time taken from England
to the Klondyke would be six to
eight weeks at least. (2nd.) By
steamer from Victoria or Vancouver,
by Juneau, to the head of the Lynn
Canal (about 1000 miles from Vic
toria), thence by the Chilcoot Pass,
or the White Pass, 1.-TWO days., and
the Lakes, to the Lewes, or head
waters Of the Yukon River, and
through the White House Rapids,
thence down the Yukon, which is
navigable by steamers, to the Klon-
dyke. Baggage and provisions can
be taken by horses or Indian carriers
across the Chilcoot or White Pass,
and canoes or boats must be pro-
cured or built for the water part OF
the journey. This route is only
practicable from June to September,
when the water is clear of ice, and
would take five or six weeks from
England. The above facts show
that both
JOURNEYS ARE LONG AND EXPENSIVE
and can only be undertaken during
the summer after the ice has disap-
peared. Provisions are very scarce
and dear, if procurable at all. 1t ia
too late for any one to start now,
and all persons are strongly warned
against attempting it. Under the
most favorable conditions, and sup
posing that steamboats,, canoes, and
food supplies were all ready and
available, the journey would reach
the gold-diggings just as winter was
closing in and mining was, to great
extent, stopped. Persons going to
the diggings should leave here mex,
April, 30 as to reach Vancouver oil
Victoria in time to start for the
North as soon as the routes anC
rivers are open. The journeys
though not exactly dangerous, are
difficult and expensive, and no one
should think of going there who ii
not strong and we'll supplied with
money for the journey and for food
Nor should any one go who has MOI
some considerable experience il
prospecting and in roughing it il
windy and unsettled countries. AL