The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-16
Reports From Gov
eminent Parties.
OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED
FAILED TO SCALE GIGANTIC
MOUNTAIN CHAINS.
Captain Pratt Reports That There Is
No Deep Channel From Boring
Sea Into the Yukon
River.

Captain Pratt, who was sent to the
Yukon delta last spring by the United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey, to eX-
plOre the bars for a deep entrance TO the
river from the sea, will be back in Seat
tie within q few days, according to in
formation received in this city by the
sub-office of the coast survey. The cap
tain did not find a deep entrance, his
labors demonstrating cOnclusively that
the bars across the rivers mouth at no
place allowed the entrance of ocean yes
sells. The deepest water at any place was
eight feet. The captain found that dredg-
ing was practicable in order to open an
entrance, but the cost would be consider
able.
The five exploring parties sent through
Alaska last spring by orders of the War
Department are expected TO return to
Vancouver Barracks before the close Of
the present month. Major General Mer-
RAM, who has charge of the expeditions,
stated yesterday that he had received no
word from the officers in charge of the
parties for several months. 1t is learned
from an authentic source, however that
complete success has not attended the
efforts of the explorers to penetrate the
country near the head of the Shushitna,
Copper and huskOkwtm rivers, owing 10
the extremely difficult nature of the coun-
Try 10 be traVerSed. Gigantic mountain
chains were encountered along the upper
portions of the ShuShitna and the hus-
kOkWim, necesSitating the abandonment
OF most Of the supplies which the sol
dIerS carried on their backs. The reports
coming back indicate that many thrilling
adventures befell the parties and that
several Of the men had narrow escapes
from losing their lives.
AS soon as the parties all return the
results of their explorations Will be given
in printed reports, which VIII be ISSUED
under instructions Of the War Depart
ment. These reports will contain much
matter Of Importance TO those interested
in the development OF Alaska, as many
observations have been taken in the re-
gionS covered this year. The reports will
be distributed free 10 applicants, until
the edition runs out In the past the
War Department has issued several re-
ports OF similar character, giving the re-
suits Of the explorations of the ukon by
Lieutenant SChwatka and of the Cop
reports are now very difficult TO obtain,
the supply of the document clerks in
Washington being exhausted.
Whether or not the War Department
viii continue the work of Alaskan ex-
ploration next year has yet to be de-
termined. There are still large areas near
the head OF the KuskOkwim and Shushit-
ma rivers that are absolutely unknown,
never having been penetrated by white
men. 1t is a strange fact that up to the
present time with thousands of prospec-
tors in the Territory searching Tor gold,
not One-1ifth OF the. collaborating belt
has even been penetrated, to say nothing
Of being prOspected. 1t is estimated by
those who are well informed that it will
take at least a dozen years yet for miners
to completely cover the vast eXpanSe of
territory. Few have the temerity to
leave Dawson and the developed region
OF the Klondike and strike out into IN