The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-31
BACK FROM ALASKA
HARTMAN EXPEDITION PRODUC-
TIVE OF MUCH GOOD TO SCIENCE.
People, Animals and Birds Hitherto
Little Acquainted with Were Found
I'm Large Numbers.

SEATTLE, Wash, July 3o.-The Harri-
man Alaska expedition returned here to-
day on the steamer George w. Elder. The
expedition, both from a scientific and pleas
ure point of view. was an entire success. A
journey OF over nine thousand miles was
made. The party left Seattle May 81. 1t
sailed northward through the inside chan
mel, stopping at Victoria, Wrangel and
Juneau. reaching Skagway June g. From
here the members Of the expedition went
over the White pass to the headwaters of
the Yukon. Returning to Skagway. they
sailed for Glacier bay, where several days
were spent studying the glaciers and max
ing collections. Sitka was visited next day.
Three days were spent examining the old
town, climbing some of the neighboring
mountains and making collections. From
there the party steamed TO Yakutat bay,
going to the extreme head of the bay and
examining and mapping the glaciers about
Il. Several days were devoted to an explo-
ration of the little-known Prince William
sound. many of whose fiords and mighty
glaciers have never before been seen.
AT the completion OF its work there the
party proceeded to Cook inlet, and later, on
its way westward. party of scientists was
left at Kutat bay, North Kodiak island, to
make collections on the Alaskan peninsula.
which up to that time had never been Wis
tied by naturalists. Kodiak and Wood
island were then visited. The Fourth of
July was celebrated while the steamer was
in the harbor of Kodiak. From there the
route was westward, via the Shumagen
island. where party Of naturalists was left
until the return of the vessels. Passing
through Unimak pass into the Bsring sea to
loSEo fha LprfH1 f,Ior d.
bay the way of Bogostof volcano, and then
into Plover bay. in Siberia. From PIover
bay the party crossed to Port Clarence, on
American soil. and from there went to ST.
Laurence island. the way steaming
around King island and later visiting Hall
and st. Matthew islands. returning to Sc
attic over much the same route followed on
the journey northward.
During almost the entire trip fine weather
was enjoyed. There was not single storm
and comparatively little rain or fog The
health OF the party was good throughout.
Large collections were made in vertebrate
and invertebrate. zoology and In botany,
geology and ethnology Many birds and
mammals hitherto rare were found in con-
siderable numbers and 1t is altogether
probable that many new invertebrates are
included among the collections made The
geographical results of the expedition are
considerable and important. New waters
were entered and explored and many new
glaciers discovered. studied and mapped. An
extensive ford hitherto unknown and a
splendid glacier running into IT at its head
were named by the geographers of the ex-
petition after Hartman. The biologists had
many opportunities OF studying the rocks
and of investigating the action of glaciers.
II
which have hitherto been known and ex-
plored are retreating- Little hunting was
done. for the time was chiefly devoted to
the gathering OF scientific material. More
over. the game at this season of the year
Is usually found back from the coast
From Siberia and also at Port Clarence
the Eskimos 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
O great number Of them had gathered to
meet whalers, which were lying there
awaiting the arrival OF the supply ship, then
overdue. Several of the whalers had al
ready provided themselves with natives and
with dogs for their long cruise into the
Arctic The expedition visited all points as
originally planned and in addition made the
trip through Boring sea 10 Siberia and was
in all respects successful Several thousand
photographs were taken and there will be
q revelation OF magnificent scenery, even
10 those who have seen the better-known
portions OF Alaska With unusual good for
tune unobstructed views were had of both
ST. Elias and Fairweather ranges. The
study OF collections brought back will not
only interest the specialists OF the expedi-
ton for long time, but many others
throughout the country and the results are
certain to be OF great scientific interest.
Much OF the success OF the expedition is
attributed TO the excellence and equipment
OF the steamer Elder. and A. L. Mohler, pres
ident OF the Oregon Railroad and Naviga-
ton Company. is given the credit therefor,
and courtesies from the Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company. the White Pass Railroad
Company and the representatives OF large
commercial companies In Alaska are &C
knowledged.
Mnfnr SfeeIess po nx..h.