The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-21

aGroShlpS and possibly return hfohet N
heart and spirit. they pass by on their
W. an island. which. in heavy mineral
deposits SURPRISES any other region OF
equal extent IL the world
Like the Yukon river. this island was
years ago visited BY gold hunters, but on
account OF meagsr transportation faciA1ies
they were unanls 10 obtain saiflclsAt sup
plies 10 prosecute theiF eXploFatl Ions. an
LETT IN disgust without finding the riches
they anticipated 1t has been left 10 the
present generation 20 acquire adequate
knowledge OF the vast stores OF mineral
wealth which the island contains.
clay oauot SOUND the gateway
A recent Seattle visitor 10 this mineral
rezion was Frank Olsen, secretary or the
board OF public works. He says:
The particular portion OF vancouver
island 10 which / refer - ClAyo4lot SOUND
and It's tributaries. News came 70 THIS clty
last spring from some Seattle gentleman
who had visited The west coast OF the 81
and that rich mineral claims mad been DIS
covered; and prompted ~ the same spirit
that actaateS The many that are now
turning their eyes toward the Eidoraao
Of the north, a small party consisting OF
capt. 5. A h0yL, Engineer y. \. ClTIstof,
y H. Pierson Il. 3. Peck, Il. II. Hesten,
j. r. Nitcher ana the writer ana his TWO
little boys took passage on the steam
launch Alpha Tor the IlayolQOt country.
The launch Was new, or nearly enough 80
10 neceSSitate a new Inspection, anu @lLeE
having rubbed up against the local IN
spectors and custom onlclalS and received
kind treatment mixed with official stern
ness and an occasional niLt 10 help out our
ignorance OF nautical matters ana com
merclaI intercourse betB cen nations, We
finally left Seattle July for Victoria
Our voyage 10 that place passed OF with
out any incident worthy OF mention Ne
went through Deception pass and cur little
Alpha proved herself a daisy TO climb cur
rents. In Victoria We had 10 clear anew
for Clayoquof. We received from the Gus
tom officials at That place The SAM kind
and gentlemanly treatment and after
having examined our papers. bill OF health,
foreign outward manifest. etc. the ofiicials
gave Us passport emitting Us TO enter
any port on the Canadian side without De
ing molested. AS our trip was 10 COM
bine pleasure with business. We took a
good look at Victoria and soon started on,
delighted with the treatment We had re-
ceiyed.
The Alpha I'm Peril.
I'VE now had TO encounter with our lit
tie craft one Of the worst coasts
that sailors ever beheid. The wealth
er. though, was fine, and the
sights grand. At IL o'clock midnight.
We anchored in San Juan harbor, the only
shelter between Victoria and Barclay
sound. We left the next day, with the in
tention OF reaching Cape Beale, but about
ten miles off the cape the wind and sea
Alpha had all she could do 10 keep her
nose out of the water. For while II
looked as though there was no other way
but 10 return TO san Juan harbor, but our
fuel and water supply would hardly bring
US there. The chart indicated narrow
inlet 10 Netinal lake, but no depths We're
given. Capt. hoyt suggested that We Keep
along the shore TO sec IL We could not find
an opening 10 the lake Ii was "A daring
undertaking. but we had no alternative.
not having enough fuel or water for the
engine TO bring US 10 the next port. and
no sails with which to ride of the storm
In open sea. We turned around and kept
on the lookout for the supposed inlet
There are numerous breakers and rocks
along the coast, the noise and sight or
which make "A lasting impression. We
finally saw what seemed TO be the inlet,
but IL could not be reached without going
over a bar, where the breakers did not
suggest a pleasant reception: but trust
Ing in the captain, the engineer and q nice
sand beach inside Of the bar. where the
Alpha could ind safe resting place
should the lake prove TO be Inaccessible.
we closed all doors and windows and went
over the bar successfully. We found a
narrow channel into the lake full OF new
and unexpected obstacles IN the shape OK
Indians on the beach made all kinds of
pantOmines 10 make US understand how 10
steer in. Their efforts were OF no avail.
as We could no. understand their hand and
foot motions However. we cleared all
obstacles and anchored safely in a cove,
where we secured perfect shelter from sea
and storm From what We learned Of a
couple OF white men who " re stationed at
the lighthouse nearby the Alpha was the
first steamer that had ever been in the
lake and that in heavy weat er even the
canoes do not undertake 10 cross the bar.
This fact explains the surprised look on
the faces OF the Indians who had assem-
bied on the beach to see the stranger.
Exploring the Lake.
The next day We made an unsuccessful
attempt 10 90 out 10 again. but the
weather was still too rough. aud We turned
around into the lake. This time We went
twelve miles up the lake TO the mouth OF
two rivers which flow into IT, We re-
manned at the head of the lake for a
couple of days 20 prospect the rivers. and,
having satisfied ourselves that placer min
ing was not the thing up there, and also
that the deer and bear did not look with
favor on our visit we again set our course
for the Pacific ocean.
1t was almost midnight when We start
ed from the head Of the lake. and bright
moonlight We all remained on deck For
many years ! never saw sight like this
Il would take better pen than mine TO
property describe the panorama that lay
before Us. TIE moon threw its silvery
beams over the quiet waters Of the lake
W1i!e the high dark mountains rose IN
ts+etr majesty beyond, completing the
3a, A9rounl Of the picture. The stiffness
was like de tn only the regular III Il ed
h-atlHE % tuc engine aud IN occasional
CHATTER of a scared duck as she Rev over
the surfNce cf thr water broke the QUIET
uess IS W. giiaed along.
ficturesau" as NorwaY's Fjords.
The picture recalled NY childhood DAVIS.
when Ga tae northern part az Norway (
batef~e3 rs fJoras ana iBiets aboard A
steamer ulta nay father. 4 person may
Imagine E!mself to Pc there. / never s4yg
q place that looked SO mach Ike Norway
h4u Te ouly The northern light to COM
piete the picture We left this Stiffness 70
e<&tn venture upon me ocean, and the
picture tEat met AS there was no less i'm
pTesslEe. There was no storm: rnfv the
h.Eh waves left % tell shat there had been
very strong sind. and they cast thau-
selves up on tne barren rocks and fell back
cataracts.
Farther in towards the beach lie f~ar-
ments of wrecks Many n proud Shin mas
here foundered and many a bald sailor
found wet grave among the sea weeds
N south esi storm there Is uo escape
ard should there even be a h4rl.sr t,- sf.sl
ter near Is there are ne pilots 10 allifs
1he1 80 doubt many lives ard thagssf,+l.
~ 0oiI3ts worth az property could be
sawed q p5lofs were stationed al Intervals
We reached Cape Reals during good
weather. The lighthouse keeper t-rsert-I
- Win tie usual siSual ~ ho.s-ine and
tlw eF.1s the @sS tarre times Il was Gulv
az GEo~lst.Eat au board The Al pha.
Indians carve "a N hale.
"po3EEs cove wss our next an~r5rsrr
place r E0og sired indian Villas. Is -.f-s-
@tVt tctre. ana Go JlGEe from the r.sfe lie
if 4i4ee - thsir houses a man E7aeat
lal1a Dee had stFulk a white mans rapr-
3 r. -1si-s conditions. ! was told elHar
sai1eH 1at trCm ours. The lodge Iu5tans
1&G J-st f~ousht BONE q whale. eau.tt ~
tape ARTERY IL Was - D. divided sr1sar.g
fhr tribe Il apf scared Ike q little sad
ora ;1- water au& ou arccart of taa 80
1oH+oEs oacF + threw oul Rre were obliged
- seek shelter about q nile from where II
VAS tYlng
stt 4ifte2 our anchor Tres next morning
arc reached our destination aa5gf (
80 a 70 1a' ALts ,no9a- Here Ue were