The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-05-20
A RAILWAY PROTECTED.


and summer. There are sad to be about
thousand Of them on Seward Peninsula.
A RAILWAY PROJECTED.
A preliminary survey has just been
completed by Messrs. Rutledge and Gar
side for a standard gauge railroad, 70
be known as the Alaska-Siberian railroad.
from Port Clarence, on the Behring sea.
to Kaltag, on the Yukon river, by way
OF Nome City. Port Clarence furnishes
the only deep harbOr in those waters and
is eighty-ive miles northwest of Nome
This connection by raj with a good and
safe port will obviate the expense and
great discomfort Of lighterage from
ocean going vessels in the heavy surf, as
well as the enormous expense of de-
murrage on account Of storms, as here
tofore, to say nothing of the danger to
human life. The cost of construction OF
this line for the hundred miles already
surveyed is estimated at 100000
A conservative estimate as TO the cost
of l'ghterase, loss Of goods, etc, during
the last season amounts TO something
like S1,5OO0 900. The discharging of the
last cargo Of the Roanoke alone cost
$4,000, averaging $40 a ton, while the cost
of discharging the Bertha's cargo on her
final trip amounted to $40 900.
From Port Clarence, which is sheltered
from the wind, the road will follow the
Snrok, the Penny river and the Nome
districts to Port Safety, the town OF
Bonanza District; thence through the
Fish river and Norton bay districts to
Kaltag, where it will connect with Yukon
river steamers.
There has been some talk Of the con-
struction Of wharves for the landing Of
freight on the beach az Nome. but this
idea fl IS believed, will be abandoned as
impract'cable The first obstacle to be
encountered IS the shallow water, which
extends out from the beach for at least
a mile A pier built Of piles for this
distance, to enable deep sea vessels 10
discharge freight and passengers would
have to be constructed each year, since
the heavy icefioes would probably wreck
the piling as the ice went out In the
spring. A short per, even for one season,
could hardly Withstand the storms that
sweep over the coast OF the BehrinS sea
at this point and If the structure was not
altogether torn away small boats or
barges could not be landed at II during
heavy weather.
Port Clarence, the proposed terminal or
this line of railroad, is only a few miles
distant from Cape Prince Of Wales, which
Is the most westerly portion Of United
States territory on the mainland, the lat
ter being so far West, in fact, as 10 be
almost within hailing distance OF Rus
STA, the shores of Siberia, separated from
America only by Behring strait being
plainly visible to the naked eyes at this
particular point.
The survey of this line Of railroad was
considered Of sufficient importance TO
necessitate preliminary work being done
in nidwinter Drawing the tempests OF
this Northern cline at this season is ne
light matter. but Notwithstanding the
many obstacles and dangers TO be met
and overcome. the surveying party, heau-
ed by the official engineers Of the com
pany, Mess:s. Rutledge and Gdrside' was
undaunted and carried the work through
to the finish. The camp outfit and sup
plies were conveyed by reindeer and dog
teams. and the party, guided by native,
set forRh early in November.
HINTS AS TO OUTFIT.
The adventurer, having decided upon his
route. will probably turn his thoughts
next to his outfit. The report goes into
this subject minutely and practically, adj
vising the use Of certain kinds Of food,
clothing and tools and the rejection OF
others for reasons founded on actual ex-
perience and common sense. For in
stance, foods which take MUCH cooking
should be avoided because the country
supplies no fuel of its own. Driftwood
on the beach is the only resource for
those who cannot afford to buy or take
in kerosene. Mosquito proof gloves and
head dress are necessary, because the
mosquitoes are worse up there than a
New Jersey man ever dreamed Of. Rub
Der clothing is indispensable, for when 10
isn't freezing at Cape Nome il is gen
orally raining Anti-scorbutics cannot be
overlooked, for scuryy is easily acquired
and economy in nourishing food IS the
most reckless extravaganza because ty-
phoid pneumonia IS engendered by the
climatic conditions and by the unhygien-
&c state of the camps. in a large NUM-
Der Of cases last summer 1t proved fatal.
What profit IS there in trunkful OF gold
dust If one does not 1--we to bring 1t back
to civilization?
To BOSTON, Mass.
NJ. C,,,,r,b % C,t-ie+ Gcianttst annual