The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-02

The task OF the expedition for the relief
OF the whaling crews ice-bound at Point
Barrow, Alaska, was completed more than
year ago, but the report OF that remark
able performance has only Just been pub
lished by the Treasury Department. In
November S97, two years ago, word was
brought to tho President that several
whaling ships were ice-bound near Point
Barrow, the most northerly plaza on this
continent, and that unless food could be got
to the crews in some way, the men would
certainly suffer greatly during the winter,
even II they did not perish The revenue
cutter division OF the Treasury Depart
ment was entrusted with the duty Of rescu-
ing them, and on Nov 20 Capt. FRANCIS
FUTILE, In command OF the Revenue
cutter Bear, started from Seattle to carry
food to hundred or more ice-bound
sailors practically at the end OF the world.
On Dec. 10. after being driven back by the
Ice from st. Michael at the mouth Of the
Yukon, he landed at Cape Vancouver, on
Nelson Island. of the coast OF Alaska, these
three officers: First Lieutenant DAVID II.
JARVIS, commanding; Second Lieutenant
T. T. BERTHoLP, and Surgeon s. j. CALL,
all OF the revenue marine service.
Their orders were to proceed northward
with all speed, picking up two herds OF
reindeer known to be at points along the
coast, and driving them to Point Barrow:
they were to assume command OF the men
at that place, and organize them for
mutual support and good order, and to act
as representatives OF the Government
whenever necessary. Leaving Cape Van
couver on Dec. II the party reached st.
Michael. travelling on dog sledges, on Dec.
20. Lieut.. BERTHoLF was left behind to
round up some dog trains, and was directed
to meet the rest OF the party on tho other
side Of the great Prince of Wales Peninsula.
The others pushed ahead, leaving st.
Michael on Jan. I. 1893. On Jan. 10
they passed the Government herd OF deer
on the way south to the miners on the
Yukon; on Jan. 10 they reached the first
herd which they wanted to take northward.
This was owned by private individual,
an Esquimaux, who turned 1t over to them
and agreed also to go with them as guide.
Three days later they passed the second
Government herd. also bound for the Yukon
miners.
On Jan. "a. at Cape Prince OF Wales,
Lieut.. JARVIS found the second herd, owned
by the Rev. Mr.. LoPP, who. with his wife
and family, was caring for village OF some
800 Esquimaux. Mrs LoPP prevailed on
her husband to join the party, though he
naturally had little desire to leave his fam
lily alone in the middle OF an Alaskan winter
and tramp several hundred miles north.
When the party left Cape Prince OF Wales
on Feb. 2, with 43S deer and train OF
eighteen sleds, there were 700 miles Of bad
travelling before them. At Kikiktaruk Mr..
JARVIS and DR.. CALL overlook Mr.. Der
THoLF, and spent two days In tho house OF
the Rev. ROBERT SAMMs, n Quaker mis-
sionary." Then Mr.. BERTHoLP was de-
tached again to wait at Point Hope, and
the others went on. Mr.. LoPP driving the
DR.. GALL followed the coast Finally, on
March 20. three months and twelve days
after starting, the rescue party reached
Point Barrow. One sentence In Lieut..
JARvIs's official report OF their arrival indi-
Gates the difficulties Of the trip better than a
long detailed account of personal sufrerngs:
All the population came out to see us 20 by,
49, and 1t was some time before they could
realize that we were flesh and blood; some
looked to the south to see II there was not a
ship In sight, and others wanted to know II
We had come up in balloon"
MIR. JARVIS at once took charge OF the
white village. compelled cleanliness and
exercise, acted as judge and jury, made
Inspections OF all the ice-bound ships, and
otherwise acted very much as other officers
OF the United States had to act In Cuba a
few months later. On July %, the Bear
arrived at Point Barrow. the first vessel