Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-28
LITTLE HOPE FOR WHALERS
Those Caught in the Ice Pack Likely to
Perish.
Nothing bat Unusual Southeasterly
Gales Can Save Them-NO Food
At Point Barrow.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, October 2s.-
Arctic navigators and operators Of whaling
vessels say there is still hope that the
Belvidere. Orca, Fearless, Rosario and
JEANNE, the five vessels that were caught
In the ice west Of Point Barrow about Oc-
tober l, will get out, but that hope is a
very faint one. Their release from the ice
pack would have to come very soon, as
they were inclosed by the foes, or their
boats would in the spring be found drift
ing in the prevailing western currents to
the Siberian coast. Nothing but south
easterly gales, which would drive the ice
back from the land. would save them, and
at this season of the year such winds are
very rare in the arctic circles.
The Newport, the Jessie H. Freeman and
the arctic. were to come home this fall,
but nothing has been heard of them west
OF Point Barrow, and it is thought that
they, too. may have been caught in the ice.
No Supplies at Point Barrow.
There are no supplies Of any kind at the
Point Barrow station for the frozen in
whalers. Should they require assistance
the nearest point to which they can look
for relief is Herschel Island, 400 miles
away. When the feet of 1889 was frozen
In off Herald Island, the United States
and laid in a bountiful supply of pro-
visions. Not long ago the government came
to the conclusion that the place was d
useless expense, and sold everything for
5000. The last of the supplies went on
the JeaEnie to the Pacific Steam Whaling
Company's vessel at Herschel Island.
Capt. Herendeen,s Experfence.
Capt Edward P. Herendeen, an old
whaler, said this morning in speaking of
=
frozen in the whaling grounds:
In 1896 / was on board of schooner
about third of the way from Point Bar
row to the Sea Horse Islands, when the
ship had a narrow escape from being
caught. 1t was about the middle of Sep
TENDER, and even as early as that the
young Ice began to form. The vessel had
very sharp prov, by which means we
managed to get out all right.
The captains OF the vessels reoorted to
have been frozen in must either be very
foolhardy or do net understand the posi-
II they have taken no provisions with
them for spending the winter there, this is
certainly the case. The risk of being
taught is liable to occur at any time in
the carly fall.
The Mckenzie river is favorite win
tering place for the whalers, as safe
harbor is formed near Herschel Islands.
This point is about 40 miles east of Point
DdAioW. Ho WHdieTS nave Decn In the
habit of wintering there since 1890, the
reason being that they can start out early
in the spring and catch the whales which
congregate there. thereby saving the time
1t would be necessary to go from Point
Barrow or elsewhere. When they arrived
at the whale place. unless wintering there,
1t would be too late in the season There
Is plenty of drift wood on the Mckenzie
river, which is utilized by the men for
making log huts. and they can take care of
themselves in this manner very comforta-
Bile, disposing the time between the huts
and the ships A party last year managed
to get frozen in about thirty miles from
Herschel Island and underwent a good
many hardships which they would not have
had to encounter If they had been able
to reach the harbor.
1T is impossible to exert too much care
on these expeditions. as the risk at all
times is very great, and 1t is only with
greatest of forethought that a safe return
Is mace home. OF course it is possible to
be caught in the ice any time, but it seems
tfese men must have been careless in the
extreme.
The one thing which may save them is
southern wind which will have the effect
OF breaking up the ice by it's own warmth,
ana that of the sea currents which it
starts In that direction"