The San Francisco call., 1897-11-09

a question the necessity oI pIopas
them in Alaska Whatever action is
taken. to be effectual, must be taken inn
mediatelv. or we must abandon the men
TO their fate"
In speaking of the condition OF the men
he said Il left Herschel Island IN the
Alexander Oh August 20. leaving the
steamer Jeanie wi h 200 tons OF coal TO
discharge when she would be ready TO
proceed west The steamer Newport had
her new shaft in, and, ike the barK wan
derer, was nearly fit, to proceed. The
steamer Fearless was also ready TO leave
ON the first east wind. visited the store
houses OF the Pacific Steam Whaling COM
pany on the lslanc the day before ieavihe
and was shown throu.h them all oy Zap
tain Murray, the agent of the company
there. They had q sufficient amount OF
flour, bread and salt meat Tor the cruise
home OF the imprisoned vessels, but OF
course The salt meat will be worse Inan
none if they have no vegetables TO coun-
teract the effects OF the salt, as salt-meat
diet in the Arctic is conducive to scurvy-
THE country around the MACKENZIE
abounds in game, such as deer, grouse
and fish. There are also great many
natives who have been employed by the
ships to hunt for game. Iney also nave
some game stored in their various Ice
houses, but the question is, Are the tour
ships at the island or caught in the ice be-
tween Herschel Island and Point Barrow
Of course their way TO liberty lay TO the
west, and they would tight their way west
ward through the Ice as long as possible.
II they succeeded i'll reaching over hall
the distance 10 the point they would
abandon their shirs and Try to reach
Point Barrow, as they are In perfect
ignorance of any of the other ships being
in the same predicament.
The supplies of these four ships are
only enough to bring them to San Fran
cisco, as they leave the balance al the
island for the benefit Of the ships that are
still further east, and might have to aban-
don their ships at the Copper Mine River
and fall back upon the island for supplies.
These ships have been pressing into the
eastward now for the past seven years,
each year penetrating further and further
into the ICY barrier around this continent,
until they have reached the point where
the exploring ships of Mcclure and Col
liEson were abandoned years ago. The
Pacific Steam Whaling Company has al
ways kept reserve of food at the island
to meet just such cases as at this time
confronts US but since the Government
station was abandoned at Point Ba row
there is no provision made for an accident
at that place.
When L left Cape Smythe the 18th OF
Septe m Der lett the steamer Orca, Belve-
dere, Jessie II. Freeman and schooner
Rosario lmprIsOned on the northeast side
OF Point Barrow, about one-eighth OF
mile from he land and about Two miles
outside OF the Sandspit, where the old
exploring ship Piover wintered, and with
my long telescope glass | could see the
men in the crows nests Of the ship anX-
lousy scanning the horizon 10 he west
ward. Some OF these ships | know are
not fitted for an Arctic winter. The Jessie
h. Freeman | was told about week pre-
vious had 200 pounds of -four, 180 pounds
OF beans and few dozen cans of meats
and vegetables and few other small gro
cerles-just enough TO take the vessel to
San Francisco. Sne had 108 tons of coal
on board. She lost one anchor and chain,
and II enabled 10 get south would no
doubt come direct TO San Francisco.
The schooner Rosario also had but
very few supplies. The other ships, l was
told, had more but not sufficient TOR the
rlgors of an Arctic winter. Now the re-
sources OF Point Barrow are absolutely
nothing. There are no deer grouse or
fish for 100 miles or more, and the natives
are very poorly off for clothing for winter
travel. The fact is the whaling and trad
ing posts of H. Liebes & Co. are carrying
the most of the natives at Cape Smythe.
Point Barrow IS virtually abandoned by
the natives, only half dozen nuts being
lO1t, dS Iilc9 eau S6b WOt u tdp6
and there they are assured OF plenty OF
foou and clothing, all the quiremenis OF
native Mr.. LIebes' station is very we'll
fitted for the comfort OF these natives.
He keeps two years supp!es on hand so
that there will be no famine if the supply
ship is lost or fails TO connect with the
station. But let me state here that the
supplies that would carry zoo natives
through al Arctic winter in comfort
would be insufficient for third that
mum ber OF white men not accustomed 20
a low Giet.
"Mr. Liebes, at mis- station at Point Bar
row. | know for fact has 400 barrels of
flour. 1900 pounds of bread 1900 pounds
of beans. 1000 pounds OF coffee, 5000
pounds of sugar, besides other stores in
abundance for his station keepers. But
the question will be the meat supply.
The natives have next TO nothing IN
their caches, as the whales caught last
spring were too far south 10 save either
meat or blubber. In consequ ence the ma
tiveS themselves are short OF food, and
Mr.. Liebes' natives were off on he ice
hunting seal around my ship cvery day
while | was waiting for the ice-paek to
move off. OF course all the ammunition
was supplied them by the station. and
they were trying to get their winter sup
plies and be self-supporting. Liebes &
Co. have n milar post 250 miles further
south at Point Hope, where they have 200
barrels OF flour, 10000 pounds Of bread,
and other smaller stores in proportion.
There are also few whaling stations that
cOuld fDrnish soma aunpliea "