The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-14
Transport Rosecrans Makes a
Record-Breaking Voyage,
ROUND TRIP IN NINETEEN DAYS.
Capt Abercrombie Making Kappa
proyre.. With Preparations for
Seasons Work in Copper River
Country - Temporary Quarters
Ready for occupancy-Rosecr
Goes Next to Cape No"e'

The United States army transport fose
,-,,s cent II II Dobson, arrived from
Port Valdes. at o'clock yesterday h."in-
ing. completing the round trip from seat-
tie in nineteen days, including elg-t Jay
spent at anchor in the bay of Fort aldes
while troops and cargo were oei ms, u,s
charged. It ia one of the quickest Nosase
ever made between Seattle and copper
river .
The Rosecrans had no passengers return
ing aside from six discharged soduiers aAu
United States Mail Carrier Pratt. Inc lat
ter has been carrying the mails between
Port Valdes and the American iuKoh.
The six discharged soldiers were members
OF the Conner river military detachment.
Two of the crew of the Rosecrans, James
rarpenter. seaman. and Mckee, long.
shoreman. were slightly injured while the
vessel was discharging at Port Naides. Car
penter was struck by a flying piece OF I'M
Der and sustained a fracture o. the risht
leg. while Mckee he'd his left foot crush
ed by a falling block Of wood.
The Rosecrans went north with a COM
pany OF the Seventh infantry for military
service in the Copper river country under
Capt Abercrombe and cargo OF about
1 900 coo feet of lumber and supplies for the
Port Valdes army post. Capt lucnard-
SON. u S. A. accompanied the expedition
north as agent of the local quartern'aster
department. lie reports Ildl lllt I'll 50
was expeditiously discharged under the su-
peryision of Chief officer Fleming.
It required but eight days to get all Of
the lumber and supplies ashore AMI be-
fore the Rosecrans sailed for Seattle asst
Monday temporary quarters for toth the
officers and men had been erected, as we'll
as suitable quarters for fifty civilian en-
ployes.
Capt. Richardson says he found four feet
ND that ag
as this disappears the soldiers will begin
the erection of the post buildings and perm
anent quarters.
Concerning government operations in the
Copper river country Capt. Richardson
said:
I'VE found everything going smoothly.
Capt. Abercrombie has his work well in
hand He is pushing construction on the
military road and telegraph line His men
are in good health and spirits and all in
dications pointed to a successful seasons
operation in the Copper river country.
Capt. Abercrombies cattle and livestock
are in fine condition. They have plenty Of
feed and are fattenng up rapidly.
II heard a good deal of talk at Port
valdes about the construction of a railroad
from that point to the Yukon and l am
inclined to believe that 1t is but q, 4ues-
ton of very short time when an IRON
highway will be in operation. Henry VII
lard is expected to arrive at Port Vai6es
during the summer and the talk there is
that he will he accompanied by a large
force of railroad builders.
THE army post site selected is not a.
the town of Port Valdes. but four and one
half miles to the southeast. II is an
ideal location on the shore Of Port Valdes
bay, one of the best harbcrs in the world.
II there is any objection 10 II at all it is
that the water is too deep rather than
too shallow. as Is the case with so many
great harbors"
The RosencTans officers report that the
Pacific Steam Whaling Company's steam
er Excelsior arrived at Port Valdes short
ly before the Rosecrans sailed. TIE Ex-
ce.s.or was in good sea-going condition,
dispite her collision with an iceberg near
Juneau and a subsequent accident III which
she got on the rocks. She got on without
serious injury.
The Rosecrans returned from Pert
Valdes by the outside route and during one
or two days of the voyage encountered
strong gales. Her next trip. Quartermas-
ter Robinson stated yesterday. will be to
Cape Nome. She Will sail about June /
carrying two companies Of the Seventh In
fantry and cargo of supplies, lumber and
material for the Cape Nome army most
buildings.