The San Francisco call., 1899-07-31
EXPLORED THE
W|LDS Of ALASKA
Hartman Expedition
Back in Seattle.
IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
A THOROUGH STUDY OF PRINCE
WILLIAM SOUND.
Splendid Collection of Rare Birds and
Mammals Made-New Glacier
and Fjord Named After
Hartman.
A THOROUGH STUDY OF PRINCE
WILLIAM SOUND.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

SEATTLE. July so. - The Hartman
Alaska expedition returned here to-day
on the steamer George w. Elder. The
expedition, both from a scientific and
pleasure point of view, was entire sue
cess A Journey of over 5000 miles was
made. The party left Seattle May 81. 1t
sailed northward through the inside chan
mel, stopping at Victoria, Wrangel and
Juneau. reaching Skaguay June 8. From
here the members of the expedition went
over the White Pass to the headwaters of
the Yukon. Returning to Skaguay, they
sailed for Glacier Bay, where several
days were spent studying the glaciers and
making collections. Sitka was visited the
next day. Inree days were spent examin-
ing the old town. climbing some of the
neighboring mountains and making col
lections From there the party steamed to
Yakutat Bay, going to the extreme head
of the bay and examining and mapping
the glaciers about it. Several days were
devoted 10 an exploration of the little
known Prince William Sound, whose deep
fjOrds and mighty glaciers have never be
fore been seen.
After the completion of its work therethe
party proceeded to Cook Inlet. and later,
on its way westward, a party of scten-
lists was left on the Alaskan Peninsula at
| Kukak Bay, North Kadiak Island, to
make collections on that peninsula, which
up to that time had never been visited by
naturalists. Kadiak and Wood islands
were then visited. The Fourth of July
was celebrated while the steamer was in
the harbOr of Kadiak.
From there the route was westward via
the Shumagin Islands, where party of
naturalists was lett until the return of the
vessel Passing through Unimak Pass into
Berng Sea to Unalaska, they visited the
Pribilof Islands by way of Bogoslof vol
cano and then into Plover Bay, in 81
beria. From PioVer Bay the party crossed
to Port Clarence, on American soil, and
from there went to St. Lawrence Island,
| on the way steaming around King Island
and later visiting HAIL and st, Matthew
islands, returning to Seattle over much
the same route followed on the journey
northward.
During almost the entire trip fine
weather was enjoyed. There was not a
single storm, and comparatively little
rain or fog. The health of the party was
good thrOug hOut.
Large corrections were made in verte-
! brate and inVertebrate zoology, and IN
botany, geology and ethnology. Many
! birds ana mammals hitherto rare were
/ found in considerable numbers, and 1t is
! altogether probable that many new inver-
/ tebrates are included among the collec-
| tions made.
| Tie geographical results of the expedi-
/ tion are considerable and important. New
! waters were entered and explored and
many new glaciers discovered, studied
/ and mapped. An extensive ford hitherto
unknown and splendid glacier run
! ming into Il at its head were named
/ by the SeOgrapherS Oh the eApedltfon AFTER
! Mr.. Hartman. The geologiSts had many
/ opportunities of studying the rocks and
/ OF investigating the action of glaciers.
! 1t was found that most of the glaciers
( which have hitherto been known and OK
/ plOred are retreating.
| Little hunting was done, for the time
| was chiefly devoted to the gathering of
| scientific material. Moreover, the game
/ at this season of the year is usually found
back from the coast.
! From Siberia and also at Port Clarence
/ the Eskimo were found in their primitive
condition, living in huts made from the
! bones of whales and covered with skins,
and travelling in boats of skin. At Port
! Clarence a great number of them had
! gathered to meet the whalers which We're
/ lying there awaiting the arrival of the
| supply ship. then overdue. Several of the
whalers had already. provided themselves
with natives and dogs for their long
! cruise into the Arctic.
! The expedition visited all points as orig
! inally planned, and in addition made the
! trip through Bering Sea to Siberia and
was in all respects successful. Several
| thousand photographs were taken, and
! these will be a revelation of magnificent
! scenery even to those who have seen the
unusual good fortune unobstructed views
were had of both st. Elias and Fair
! weather ranges.
The study of collections brought back
| will occupy not only the specialists of the
expedition for a long time but many 9TH
ers throughout the country, and the re-
| suits are certain to he of great scientific
! interest.
Much of the success of the expedition
is attributed to the excellence and equip
ment of the steamer Elder, and A. l..
Mohfer, president of the Oregon Railway
and Navigation Company, is given great
credit therefor. Counteses from the Pa
/ cific Coast Steamship Company, the White
! Pass Railroad Company and the repre-
sentatives of large commercial companies
! in Alaska are acknowledged.
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