The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-13
GOLD IN YUKON SECTION
Also IN THE kLOSDIKE REGION,
norm ~ FAR orr Alaska.
The Distance to the Gold Fields and De-
scriptlon of the Route Thither-ihe
Mines Exceedingly Rich Ones,


interest lust now tnan the consideration
of the wonderful discoveries Of gold In
the Yukon and Klondyke sections IN
iar-on Alaska.
Many there are who will, at least
think Of going there to try their luck IN IN
the gold fields. and perhaps a Few VIII
actually go from Virginia. But these
will be comparatively few, for the DIS
lance is long. and the expense, prlva-
lions. harships and sufferings OF the
seeker after gold will be great.
SOMETHING OF THE ROUTE.
1t will be interesting to read somelilins
OF the route, interesting TO the moueih
Argonauts. who would seek Dame For
tune. and TO those whom they leave
behind. SO The Times gives this morn
ing an account Of the routes to the as
tant gold fields Of Alaska:
There are two different routes 10 the
gold fields OF the Yukon and the Moi
dyke section. the first being from san
Francisco. or Seattle, TO ST. Mlchaels'
thence by river steamers up the YUKON
TO the Klondyke dawson city.
The distance is about 100 miles ana
the usual fare IS $50. The dates AZ
which these vessels leave san Francisco
and seattle are irregular and infrequent,
and the vessels are comparatively small
with limited accommodations, the voyage
TO st. Michaers being made IN the open
ocean and rough waters.
The other route, which IL the one taken
by probably nine-tenths OF all those go
ing to the Yukon, is by the steamers OF
the Pacific Coast Steamship Company,
sailing from San francisco every hfth
day, and transferring TO the Alaska
steamers at Puget Sound ports. Ihese
steamers run as often as every NTH day
and since the recent mining excitement
the company has been dispatchlhB
steamers still more frequently.
BESIDES the steamers leaving San Fran
cisco and Puget Sound ports for Alaska
tho company also operates the steamer
George w Elder from Portland, oregon
running directly from there 10 Alaskan
ports, and not calling at either Puget
Sound ports. or ports In British Column
bia.
This steamer sailed from Portland July
Goth. and is expected 10 sail again about
the 18th or 18th OF August, and every
fourteen days thereafter until further
notice.
An Of these steamers stop at Juneau,
and some Of them go up as far as Dyea'
which is the head of ocean navigation.
As the passage North from Puget Sound
is all inland navigation, 1t Is smooth
one.
THE ROUTE FROM DNEA.
From Dyea. the route is over Chilcoot
pass. "a distance OF twenty-five miles 70
Lake Lindermann. which lis the head
waters of the Yukon water shed, ana
from this lake the route Is by system
of connecting rivers and lakes, down
stream TO the Klondike gold fields, dis
tant between 500 and 600 miles.
The total distance by this route from
San Francisco is 300 miles, from Seattle
] 600 miles.
There is no wharf az Dyea, and the tide
rises and fan about twenty-three feet,
the beach being long and fiat so that at
high tide IL is covered for a distance OF
probably mile inland from the anchor
age Of the steamer.
So the landing of passengers and freight
is slow and tedious, having 20 be done by
the ships boats
While the steamship company's respon-
sihllity ends at the anchorage, II never
theless uses it's boats and crew TO help
passengers their outfits and freight
ashore. Horses and cattle have to swim
ashore.
The present rush to the mines Is 80
great. that some difficulty may be eXper-
fenced in getting packers to take goods
over the pass.
however many lpiHtHt Al"t'' f+N
burros are being taken up and It Is more
than likely that where there Is such de-
maud il will be promptly met.
Rates OF fare from San Francisco 10
Juneau. are $40 first. and 81 second class;
and from Seattle. Tacoma, Port Town
send. Victoria. or Portland 10 Juneau, is
So first. and yl7 second class.
From San Francisco to Dyea is SiS first,
and S2g second class. while from Seattle,
Tacoma. port Townsend Victoria. or
Portland to Dyea is so first and S25 Sec
ond class.
TIME FOR THE RUN.
The time occupied in making the run Is
ordinarily from San Francisco to Juneau.
eight TO nine days, from Puget Sound or
Portland. five to six days.
There Is no trouble IN purchasing sup
plies at the lowest figures and under
most favorable conditions I'M Juneau. in
case parties conclude after reaching there
TO take a supply across the Divide.
The best time 10 take stores into the
Yukon via Juneau and Dyea is i'm the
spring. about March or April While there
is no trouble in making the trip i'm the
summer time. II Is not thought wise TO
undertake it from October 10 February.
The recently published news In the daily
press regarding the wonderful richness
of the digglngs at the KlOndike are sub
stantially correct While there has been
no doubt some exaggeration. it is safe
10 say that the mines are among the rich
est ever discovered.
Ordinary wages paid to miners range
from $40 TO Sl5 per day. from latest ac-
counts
IL is thought that unless people rush in
10 this country I'm very large numbers.
that there will be sufficient food supplies
there 90 last an the winter. and conse-
quently no danger from suffering.
The inland voyage by the steamers 10
Juneau IS said 90 bee delightful I'M the sum-
mcr season. as the scenery Is magnih-
cent. and being In inland waters, there
is 10 sea sickness.
The steamers are large and the long ex-
perience OF this companys employees.
makes them familiar with the intricate
navigation Of the waters.
cars SUES UITHERS.