Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-17
TO THE RESCUE.
United States Steamer Bear
to Sail for the Arctic.
Carrying Relief to the 265 Imprisoned
and Starving WhaIers.
The Sirictest Orders to lesve Nothing Undone
10 Hasten Succor.

maker, chief of the revenue cutter ser
vice. under the direction of the secre
tary of the treasury, has prepared
letter of instructions to Capt. futile,
who is to be in command of the steamer
Bear on her cruise north for the relief
of the eight whaling vessels ice bound
in the Arctic ocean. Owing to the fact
that at this season of the year the
route to the Arctic through Behring sea
is closed by ice, Captain futile is d.
rected to establish communication with
the whaling fleet by means of an over
land expedition.
With this purpose in view. he is or
dered to proceed with his vessel on or
about November 23 to Cape Nome, then
II the ice permits, north between st.
Lawrence island and the coast of
Alaska, to the north shore of Norton's
sound between Cape Nome and Cape
Prince of Wales. where landing will
be effected if possible. From the point
Of landing will begin the overland ex-
petition north. The people in charge
of the government reindeer station at
Cnaslaklik are to be communicated
with view to collecting the entire
available herds to be driven to Point
Barrow. w. r. Lopp. at Cape Prince
of Wales. is to take charge of this herd
and make all necessary arrangements
for herds. clothing, sleds. dogs, etc. The
necessary food for use of the party will
he landed from the ship. When the
deer are collected and the start made.
the party from the Bear will travel
with it as far as Kotzebue sound.
That point reached one officer and
necessary drivers will push ahead
along the coast to Cape Horn. leaving
the others and the herd to follow. At
this point the expedition probably will
get news of the condition of the i'm
prisoned fleet at Point Barrow. If it
should be learned that the fleet is ice
bound and it's people in distress. the
white people are to be informed that
they will be expected to take care of
such men as may be later sent down.
The expedition is then to push on.
following the coast. On arrival at
Point Barrow, if the situation is to be
found desperate. as is anticipated, the
officers will take charge in the name of
the government and organize the COM
munity for mutual support and good
order, apportion to the provisions on
hand. and slaughter as many reindeer
as necessary for food to make all hold
out until August, 1898, when Capt. Tut
tie may be expected to arrive with the
Bear. Such reindeer as are left will be
turned over to the Presbyterian mis-
sion at Point, Barrow. All of the res
cued whalers should be at Point Hope
by July l, where they can be reached
and succored month earlier than at
Point Barrow.
No opportunity for hunting. sealing
or whaling. whereby the food supply
may be added to. is to be neglected.
In case Captain futile finds it impos-
sible to effect landing on the north
shore of the sound. he is instructed to
adopt the most feasible of five other
plans which are outlined, always bear
ing in mind that food must be gotten
to the 265 starving men at the earliest
possible moment. He is given full au-
thority and the largest possible lati-
tude to act in every exigency that may |
arise. After landing the overland ex-
petition. the Bear will seek such har- |
Dor as may be deemed proper in which |
to await results, and the opening Of |
navigation in the spring.
In closing his Instructions to Captain |
Tuttle, Secretary Gage says: Mind |
full of the arduous and perilous expedi- |
ton upon which you are about to enter.
! bid you, your officers and men God |
speed upon your errand of mercy and |
wish you successful voyage, and safe |
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