The San Francisco call., 1897-10-29
Missionary Gambells Story Is
Disoredited on the Water
Front.
WHALING HEy DO NOT YET DESP AIR.
Interviews on the Situation With
Senator Perkins, Manager Grif-
fifth and Others.

The relatives and friends of the crews
on board the whalers reported lce-locked
in the Arctic Ocean have every reason to
hope that both men and ships will yet
come out all right. The aiority of those
who have a knowledge OF the perils of
Arctic navigation contend that the time
has not arrived to despair. They claim
that at the very worst-the destruction OF
the fleet-there would be no loss of life
from starvation, as the crews could easily
make their way to the mainland, where
not only there are stores of food, but an
abundance of game.
Missionary Gam BELLS story is discred-
tied. Whaling men now in port say that
he never was far enough north to gather
any accurate knowledge regarding the
situation. Furthermore they say that
while the last time the feet was heard
from was about October 1, it had unit
the 10th, if not the 18th of that month, to
get clear.
Senator Perkins was asked yesterday
what, if any, measures of relief could or
would be devised by the Government in
the event of it appearing that the whalers
are really caught in the ice. He replied
that il was now tco late in the season to
do anything as by the time relief expedi-
ton. dispatched at this date, could reach
the Arctic Ocean it would be arrested
itself by the Ice. The Senator and Captain
Charles G. Goodall, who was with him,
gave it as their opinion that the chances
were yet favorable to the feet getting out
of the pack. At any time before the mid
die of October winds might spring up an d
scatter the ice. 1t should also they said
be borne in mind that the whalers were
not sailing craft, but steamers, and that
vessels SO propelled were in u better con-
dition to drive their way through the ice
when the situation threate ned to become
extra hazardous. Senator Perkins added
that he believed there were still some sup
plies at Point Barrow, the property OF the
Pacific Steam Whaling Company. The
abandonment of that station by the Gov
ernment was brought about by the fact
that it had been found that it was not
needed, even the whaers themselves re-
porting in favor of that step.
Manager Griffith of the Pacific Steam
Whaling Company said there was yet no
occasion for alarm. The usual time for
sailing vessels to leave the whaling
grounds homeward bound was October 10.
steamers departing later. He showed by
the log of the steamer Beluga that she e did
not start from her station last year until
October IA. and that on October % she
was in Plover Bay, near the entrance to
the Arctic Ocean.
First Engineer William Mehaffy, for
merly o. the whaling steamer Narwhal
and who was with the Navarch when she
was lost, said: 81 am confident that no
lives will be lost, neither will there be any
suffering 10 speak OF. l expect that the
whole feet will arrive here between the
Sd and 10Th day of Move N Der.
First Engineer o. Reilly, who has seen
three years in the Attic with whalers. said
that there was every reason to believe that
the entire feet was safe. He said that
during October the wind blows from the
shore every other day and drives the ice
back, making what is called Head" for
the whalers through which they can es-
cape. He added that the vessels hug the
shores so close that in case of their aban-
donment the crews would have only q
mile TO travel on sleds to reach line main
land. The coast is dotted with Eskimo
villages and game Is abundant every
where. Engineer O'Reilly added that,
supposing they procured no succor from
the natives. it would be only few DAYS
march 10 Herschel Island, where stores
would be found to supply the party until
the opening OF next season.
There may be some suffering, but there
will be no starvation among the whalers
if they are frozen in" said Captain Cogan
of the Thrasher. Cooper, a trader at
Point Hope, has 1900 sacks of -four and
lot of other suppl es that 1 know of and
the men could easily reach that station.
Then Herschel Island, while over 400
miles away, can be reached with dog
teams, and there are supplies there in
abundance. Deer. too, are found in good
numbers, and hunting parties should do
well. There is chance that the vessels
will get out, but If they don't / think none
Of the ailnrs W Ill suffar To an, s-aa. % -