The Minneapolis journal., 1901-02-27
THE SURVEY PLANS
Alaskan Wilderness Will Be Ex-
plored and Mapped.
THE U.S.. WILL EXPEND 100000
Supplies Now at Bergman Will Be
Transported to the Arctic Di-
vide Before Spring Thaw.

Seattle, Feb. 27.-The United States
government will expend $50, 900 this year
in geological survey work in northern and
western Alaska. Plans covering large
amount of work have already been made,
and outfits have been transported to Berg
man on the Koyukuk river.
Detailed mapping and geological investi-
CATION will be made in the districts where
there are mining developments, and the
explorations will be extended as far north
as the arctic ocean Much territory, prac-
tically, if not entirely untrodden, by white
men, will be covered. 1t is confidently
expected that much new and valuable in
formation will be secured.
1t is believed that valuable mineral de-
posits exist in western and northern cen
trail Alaska, and this summers work will
do great deal to place this matter in a
clear light.
The advance party will reach Bergman
about April l. From Bergman an expedi-
tion will be sent out to the westward,
carrying geological and exploration work
to some tributary of the Koyukuk river,
and thence to Kotzebue sound. Another
party will be assigned to continue topo-
graphical mapping and geological investi-
cation in the Copper river region.
An arctic party will proceed up the
Bllakaki river to the divide, where the
headwaters Of streams flowing into the
arctic ocean are found. Selecting one Of
these streams, the party will work it's
way down to the ocean and then follow
the coast westward and southwark until
it reaches Kotzebue sound, unless it is
picked up before that point is reached.
II is possible that the party will change
it's plans after reaching the arctic and
travel eastward across wild and unknown
country to Eagle City. The decision in
this matter will depend to great extent
on the conditions which the party finds
after it reaches the ocean.
The personnel of the arctic exploration
party will be as follows: F. w. Peters, G.
P. Phillips, T. M. Hunt, Charles Stuven
George H. Hartman, w. H. Dewar and
F. c. Schraeder.
In speaking Of their plans and the trip
in general, Mr.. Peters, who is now at
Skaguay, recently said:
''The object of our expedition is to make
a complete survey Of the country between
the Alaskan boundary line, the Koyukuk
river and the arctic ocean. From Skaguay
we will go to Dawson and then down the
Yukon river to some point not yet fully
determined, from which we will 'mush
across the country to the Koyukuk river
Then we will make our way down the
Koyukuk river to Bergman, where our
supplies are located.
1T is our intention to advance our sup
plies to the arctic divide before the thaw
sets in. We expect to find some stream
or river at the divide which we can fol-
low down to the arctic ocean.
In returning, if possible, we will strike
across the country to Eagle City. The
journey is planned on basis of nine
months. and 1t is probable that much in
teresting and valuable data will be col
lected''
The report of the geodetic survey of the
Nome country, made last summer, has
not been given out officially, but it is
expected that this will be done before the
rush to Nome commences.