Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-03-24
RUSH TObTHE FROZEN NORTH.
Many Klondike Prospectors Reach the
Pacific Coast.

Many Klondike Prospectors Reach the
Pacific Coast.
Over 5000 prospectors have passed up
the Straits of Georgia since the season
opened, bound for Alaskan ports, accord
ing to letter from Consul Smith, receiv-
ed ut Washington. Mr.. Smith writes:
The advance division of the army of pros
pectors bound for the Klondike gold fields
has arrived on the Pacific coast. and In even
larger force than was anticipated early
In the year. At least four-ffths are Ameri-
cans, though many come from England and
also from various British colonies. That
more have not gone Is due to the lack Of
room on the boats, although there are at
least fifty steamers and schooners constantly
and solely employed In carrying men, stock,
horses, dogs and provisions up to the still
frozen region OF the north.
Most of these are from the Sound. and.
contrary to the general rule In the waters OF
the Pacific, the majority are American ships,
manned and owned by Americans aud dis
playing the stars and stripes. A list just
published shows that forty-two steamers and
twenty-four sailing craft are now engaged In
this trade between Puget Sound and Dyea.
Skaguay, Wrangell, and other Alaskan
ports. About one-third Of the American
steamers touch at Victoria OH their way
north. In addition TO this feet, twelve
British steamers and several schooners sail
from this port as often as they can make the
trip, which is every two weeks. Sometimes
several Alaskan steamers leave this port In
one day. Many old hulks that have been
Idle for years have been overhauled, re-
paired, equipped and pressed into this SER
vice, and all go loaded to their utmost ca
pacity. As natural result. the price of
passage has already been advanced % per
cent, and strikes frequently occur among
the men employed on the steamers.
This congestion will inevitably be much
relieved when the ocean steamships now on
their way here arrive, which will be next
month. unless, indeed, the throng Increases
as the days lengthen. The dangers of the
route, the suffering already prevalent and
the knowledge that not one In ten Is at all
likely to secure even an Independent liveli-
hood do not hinder the hegira to the frozen
North. In consequence of the immense In
crease In the coasting trade, pilots have TO
be occasionally employed who are not ia
mliar with the many reefs and rocks of the
archipelago Of islands through which the
channel to Alaska lies. and already two
steamers have been wrecked, and each
proved almost a total loss.
But as long as there are letters received
like the following addressed to resident or
Vancouver, I'VE have struck Ii rich on an
unknown creek across the border In Alaska
never before seen by man. In the crevices
Of the rocks In one day we picked up $4,000
In coarse gold. Sell your business, or give
II away, and come quick with ten men"-so
long will the crowds 60 north, regardless of
snow, ice, storms or wrecks.
The Quitting trade Is the scene OF fierce
competition among the different cities of the
coast. 1t has given new life to all and
caused material prosperity, such as they
have not known for years.