The San Francisco call., 1897-11-09

Itart a courier on ahead to notify The sail
prs that relief was on the way, and for
them to work down along the coast as far
Is possible until the relief expedition was
met.
The reindeer would serve triple pur-
bose. Beside being a fooo supply they
could be used as pack animals and their
skins would make tue best OF clothing ior
the rescued men,"
How would you feed the reindeer,
asked the admiral.
There would undoubtedly have to be
some feed for them taken along, replied
the lieutenant, ''but along the coast there
hre many places where they could obtain
moss, on which they do exceed ngly well.
Wherever such a supply OF mess was
found, where the snow was not too deep
The herd would be allowed to rest and
browse for brief SPELL"
How great a distance is the overland
iourneyP"
From Port Clarence to Point Barrow l
estimate the distance at 5U00 miles, or little
more possibly"
And how long do you calculate IL would
take to make the journey?"
IT Port Clarence is reached by the ship
the overland expedition ought to reach
the sailors within forty days"
How many men would be necessary fol-
he sledging partYP'
1.-TWO men for each sled, petty officer
and a man. think four sleds would be
enough, and possibly three would do, be-
sides the one that went on in advance
with the courier. l found during my ex-
perience in the north that in loading the
seds 100 pounds to each dog was all they
could draw without wearing themselves
out, but with that load they can get along
al right"
Lieutenant, do you regard this trip as
practcabIs?"
- do, or l would not have volunteered
for the expedition. do no. say the trip
will be successful, but believe 1t can be
accom- plished, and am willing to under
take it. 1t is a difficult, even a desperate
undertaking, bur feel that humanity de-
mands the Government do what it can to
save these men"
Lieutenant Stoney then detailed at
length the result of his investigations
turlng the day. The bulk of the supplies
could be obtained at the navy-yard. but
there were other stores, such as condensed
milk and canned goods, not TO be OBJ
tanned at the yard, bat all of which THE
CALL had promised to supply. These
stores were necessary. for if the whale
men were found in a starving state, il
would be difficult to build them up on
regular naval rations. AS for clothing,
he had ascertained that a complete Arctic
outfit, much better in every respect han
the clothes the mem bers OF the last ex-
pedition he was in had, could be pur-
chased in San Francisco for $140 a man.
As only eight, or at most, ten men would
go on the overland journey, the expense
for clothing would be very little. The lieu
tenant said that if the ship succeeded in
reaching Norion Sound his idea would be
10 land the stores. ana have her start back
Immediately and not winter in the Arctic.
He thought the snip ought to get back
within six weeks.
a general discussion followed of the
plan mapped out by Mr.. Stoney. Con-
stant reference was made to the chart, the
currents, prevailing winds, topography of
the coast OF Alaska and everything was
pertaining to, the proposed expedition can
vassed in all its bearings. During the
evening a dispatch was received from Cap
tain Barker of the battle ship Oregon, who
had been instructed during the day by
Admiral Kirkland to make an independent t
inquiry into the feasibility of the expedi-
tion, in which he stated that he regarded
it as entirely practicable and we'll worth
making in the interest of humanity. Ali
those participating in the proceedings
were agreed hat Lieutenant Stoney's plan
was entirely feasible and as a result Ad-
miral Kirkland wrote long dispatch to
the Secretary OF the Navy, outlining Sto-
ney's plan, the result of his and Captain
Barriers inquiries, and Lieutenant Sto-
ney's volunteer offer to lead the expedi-
tion, concluding with the statement that
the plan was regarded as entirely practi-
cable.
In view of the Presidents order to have
the revenue cutter Bear made ready for
sea. no recommendation was made re-
gaTdlng a snip.
Lieutenant Stoney was strongly in
dorsed for the command of the expedi-
tion by reason of his familiarity with the
country and his long experience IN the
Arctic region.
TIE officers also discussed the selectio n
OF the sledging party and IL was the cOu-
sensus of opinion that 1t would be neces-
sary 10 call for volunteers among the en-
listed men.
Admiral Kirkland's dispatch was sent
to the Secretary of the Navy late tonight
in order that it would reach Washington
in time to be presented at the Cabinet
meeting at IL O'Clock tomorrow