The San Francisco call., 1897-11-10
CALL OFFICE. RIGGS HOUSE, J
WASHINGTON. Nov. 8. /


he Cabinet meeting this morning was
devoted almost entirely to the matter of
q relief expedition for the Arctic whaIers.
Al OF me members OF The Cabinet were
present The following kilograms were
received by Secretary Long early this
morning from Admiral Kirkland and
vere laid before the Cabinet:
MARE ISLAND, Nov. s
Secretary of the Navy Washington, D. e.: Cap
tain Barker reports as follows: Captain De-
veil OF the whaling steamer Baylies arrived
to-day from the Arctic, and says the whaling
steamers Orcha, Freeman, Belvidere and
Rosario were al Point Barrow on September
l3 with ABOUT 100 men. These are now prob
ably closed in by TIE ice near that place.
The whaling steamers Newport, Fearless, jean
ME and Wanderer were at Herschel Island
on August 26 with about one hundred
and fifteen men, All the above eight
vessels expected TO return this fall, and had
only about three months rations. Besides
the a bove ships there were several vessels at
Herschel provisioDed for one year and two
and th-ee years, prepared 10 STAY in the Arctic
and intending 10 sail soon for the vicinity of
the mouth OF the Copper Mine River to winter.
Captain Devell says there are about 400 bar
rels Of -four al Point Barrow He does not
think there win be any starving among the
whalers this winter. though they may be Kept
on greatly reduced rations
KIRKLAND Commandant
This telegram also was received from
Admiral Kirkland and read TO the Cabi-
ret:
\ MAZE ISLAND Nov. 8.
-
plan seems advisable 10 send tie Bear or the
steam whaler Thrasher, now at san Francisco.
with provisions, medicines and clothing for
800 men for one year to Port Clarence or Nor
ton Sound as soon possible. There are rein
deer a. Port Clarence to pack provisions to
Point Barrow for food supply, following the
shoreline and keeping lookout for the
whalers. The plan requires four officers.
one being surgeon, and four men from the
navy. The chances of success are regarded ss
slight, and every days delay VIII add 10 the
difficulties. Any vessel going should sail at
The earliest possible moment. San Francisco
Is the best point at which to secure the neces-
sarv outfits and to sail from. The whaler
Thrasher, ready for sea and in good order. 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 dogs and reindeer.
KIRKLAND Commandant
The following telegram was also read
from Captain Tuttle, now at Seattle.
Wash:
Repairs to boiler, afrpump, bridge walls,
new sails aud docking vessel Will cost $500.
Before the Bear can reach St Michael the
bay viii be frozen over. A vessel cannot win
ler al St Michael, as the Ice would carry it
Away There is no harbor north OF Unalaska
that does not remain frozen until late In
June. Bering Strait is closed by ice in No
Fember. and remains so until June. The
Whulers at Point Barrow are within six miles
of the point and eighteen miles OF the former
refugee station. | understand from Captain
McGregor of the steam wheer Karluk that
Liebes agent at the refugee station has ABOUT
BOO barrels of -four With this and the pro-
riS ons Of five vessels there should be no
hiRTyation. Those frozen in at Demarkatlon
FONT nave the supply station at Herschel
kSand to fall back upon. While it VIII prob
" Oe necessary to abandon the vessels do
" pprehend the crews viii meet with any
thiNs worse than prIvstions and bardshlps.
he Bear can be ready TO start in two weeks
. There Is plenty of coal at Una alaska. / can
zee no way of rendering assistance until the
ice opens in July.
IHE CALLS dispatch in response to the
Presidents request for information as to
definite location of the wbalers, the
source of news concerning their pred:ca-
ment, and the amount of provisions they
had on hand. was also read. After gen.
praI discussion it was decided to wire Ad-