The San Francisco call., 1897-11-17


Il Did you eodspeed upon your errand
of mercy and wish you successful voy-
age and safe return
The above is an epitome OF the lnstruc-
hons given by Secretary Gage TO Captain
Tu,tle. Here's the full tex OF the ietter:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 !
Captain Francis Tuitle, L, commanding
L. s S. Bear BcliJ Erp diion to WhGIers in
the 4 c,ic ocean, Seat {, WGsh-SIR: Tne best
Information obtainable gives the assurance OF
truth to the reports that feet of eight
whaling vessels icebound III the Arctic
Ocean somewhere in TIE vicinity OF Point
Barrow, and that the 265 ersons who were
at last accounts on board tuOse vessels are in
all proba billy in dire dis ress.
These conditions call for prompt and ener-
gene action looking 10 the relief OF the i'm
prisoned whalemen. 1t has therefore been
determined 10 seuG an eXped tion TO the res
cue Believing thRt your long experience in
Arctic work. your famIliarit y with the region
OF Arctic Alaska from Point Barrow and the
coast line washed by the Benng Sea, from
which you but recently returned, your known
ability and reputation as an able and COM
petent officer All especially fiji you for the
trust you have been selected To command the
relic. exredItion. Your ship, the Bear. will
ue ofiicesed by an iucompara bic body of men
and manned by crew of your own selec-
ton The ship will be fully equi ped, fitted
and provisioued for the pe7Ilous wcrk in
view. Tor such it must be under the most
favorable conditions.
1t Is, OF course, wen understood hat al this
advanced season OF the year the route TO the
Arctic Ocean through Bering Straits viii be
c osed 10 you, and because of this known con-
Il NJ
your primary and all consuming effort will be
directed 10 establishing communication by
means OF an overland expedition with the
whaling fleet, not only for the purpose of sue
eorIng iis people, but 10 cheer them with the
Information that their relef and ultimate
rescue viii be effected as soon as the condition
in Be-ing Straits Will pc init your command
10 advance.
With this purpose steadily ii view, you Will
prepare an expedition composed OF at least
two commissioned officers nd one forward CT
petty officer OF your command to undertake,
from landing that you viii effect, the jour
ney overland to Point Barrow. You will
assign an officer 10 the Charge of this expe-
dition, furnishing him with written instruc-
tions for the government OF his party which
your judgment and discretion Will dictate as
most likely to further the success of the under
taking This party should be prepared while
You are en- Touje and be ready upon leaving
Unalaska bound north TO take advantage of
the first opportunity afforded for landing.
They should be amply provided and fu ly
equipped for Arctic travel 10 successfully
accomplish the trying journey and work
which VIII be ahead Of them from the landing
point. You will make your own selection
from the personnel OF your command (volun-
tcers preierred) OF the officers whom you will
deem est fitted, physically and otherwise, to
encounter the hardships incident TO the trip
in view.
In this connection the names of Lieuten-
ants Cochran and Hamlet and BoatsWain Jor-
dan Thurber are suggested for your considera-
ton. There are several plans deemed feasible
all leading to the same end. by the adoption
and execution OF some OF which the primary
purpose of the expedition, as above given, can
De accomplished. The first ana greatest need
OF the whalemen VIII probably be food. 1t is
believed that the only method OF getting i. to
them IS to drive it on the hoof. To effect this
object and the o her ends set forth above it is
proposed that, leaving Unalas ka, you proceed
north with your command to Cape Nome, pass
ing between Nunlvak and ST. Mathews Islands
in sight ofNunivak) thence north between ST.
Lawrence Island ana the coast of Alaska, care
fully noting the extent and condition OF the
ice, il any is met, keeping well over 10 the
mainland the object being to ascertain where
there is ice or indications OF il in Norton
Sound. 1.-THE way is clear or you can by any
means land Inc party on the north shore of
Norton Sound, between Ca Nome and Cape
Prince OF Wales, natives can be communicated
with at either Cape Nome, Siedge Island, Point
Rodney or Point Spencer.
Should q landing be effected at any point
named or near 1t, quantity OF provisions
previously made ready should be landed and
ca cbed there, TO be afterward conveyed by the
natives to the reindeer station at Port Clar-
ence ana left in care OF Mr.. Brevig. From the
point of landing VIII begin the overland ex-
petition from your command, above dweIt
upon, and the officer placed in charge OF it
should be fully instructed upon The following
general lines:
First-Communicate as quickly as possible
with W. 7. Copp at Cape Prince OF Wales
with native named Art1sarlook generally
known as Charley at Point Rodney; failip g
TINS then with Kitelson, general superintend-
ent Government reindeer station at Una
laklik.
SecOnd-The purpOs c is TO collect from the
herds L Rooney ana Cape Prince of Wules
The entire available herds Of reindeer 10 be
driven 10 Point Barrow.
Third-Mr. Lopp is to take charge OF this
herd and make all necessary arrangements
food for the use of the party must be landed
from the ship. Such clothing as can be car
ried should be transported. II is suggested
that reindeer might carry light PACK of,
say, forty pounds.
Fourth-Mr. Lopp must be fully impressed
with the ira Dortance OF the work in hand an d
with the necessity OF bending every energy to
lis speedy accomplishment
Fifth-He must also make arrangements pre-
viding sledzeS for the transporting OF the over
land expedition from your command 10 Point
Hope
xth-When the deer are collected and the
start made the party from the Bear should
travel with it as far as Kotzebue Sound to
make certain that they are properly started on
their route.
Seventh-That point reached, one officer and
the necessary divers should then push on
ahead, along the coast 10 Point Hope. leaving
the other Offices and Mr.. Lopp TO follow witt
The herd over Sle route selected to reach Point
Barrow.
Eighth-Impress upon Mr.. LopD and the ma.
tIyes employed that they will be amply re-
warded for their la Dor in furthering the object
OF the expedition.
Ntnth-Arriving at Point Hope the expedt-
d!tion will pro oDablv get news OF the condition
OF things at Point Barrow.
Tenth-If II should not be known at Point
Hope that the whaling feet is ieebound and
its neon. N distress inform tho white paor,la