Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-10
TWO MONTHS IN ARCTIC ICE
Omaha Nan Relates His Experience in
POrtland's Long Drift.
HERMAN MUHEs JOURNAL or THE TRIP
Helpless from May 9 Until JuIy 1,
when vessels Caught IN
men Pack Were
FfnalIy Released.
NERMAN MUARs JOURNAL Of TAl TRII

Herman Muir Of Omaha left Portland,
Ore, on the steamer Portland ca AnrfI
70, to join his brothers who are in BUSH
ness at Nome City. The. veHsol was due
at Nome City on May .. but on May 6 at
Dutch harbor was caught IN the ice and
crifted further north than ever reached by
passenger steamer. After nearly two
months delay. the passengers were landed
safely at Nome. Mr.. Muir has written
tho following letter 10 his mother. which
h really a diary OF that eventful trip:
STEAMSHIP PORTLAND. BERING SEA
con ST., Lawrence Island), May 3. 1902
NJ Dan Mother: Ny last letter wes
mailed AZ Unalaska on the 9th, ana Il is
possible that this win reach you frst. as
We remained but a short time-from 8 a.
M. tn 8 p. m. am glad that our stay
was no longer. az It is a very uninterestine
place. We left with . small vessel ia tow
and, IN going around another vessel 81
anchor, we ran aground. but were on again
within an hour. We are now on Berinr
sea-st Is Is s1ooth as siass-and naturally
eveIyene feels weIl, particularly the pa
tienta. and the tables are al occupied Al
meal times. At Unalaska I attended mass
st the Greek church and was particularly
impressed BY the singing Of tbs choir Of
Indian boys. / took a bath there. not AT
The church, but In the laundry Of the steam
ship company. which Is thoroughly equipped
With clean ensmeled tubs and ali conven-
ieneea The air was keen and braclng, The
vim blowing dow from the snow-covere
hills.
Late yesterday we mat the nrat ics-tw1
days out from Unalaska.
The captain ls exceedingly careful and
the engine Il stepped as soon a. Il be,
too dark to see. as he fears 10 run
into heavy ice, which might fnfure Tbs
propeiior. However. the days are getting
longer AZ 1880 p. m. light is stlll visible
IN the sky, ana we can resume cur journey
at I a. 10. with perfect safety. We have
encountered Ice In considerable qnantltiei
today, but It Is soft and broken and oHeru
little resistance. Everything seems favor
able now, and ID e more than likely that
We shall reach Nome tomorrow. Al
Nome City may leave snon after GU
arrival. 7 shall add but a line or two Of
such events a. may be Of interest. The
main thing Is tha. yeu hear from me and
relieve any anxiety that you may feel ~
20 our safety.
Nay 1o-We did not set 10 Nome snel
all, We encountered more ice-immensi
fields Of ice-whlch hindered our progress
We All feel well and ia good spirits. Thsr'
A. plenty 70 eat and everything Of the besl
quality.
Nay 11-sull IN the ice. At noon VI
cast anchor and hen went out for . Salk
We saw q plumber Of walrus on the lie.
May 1--we are still In the neIghborhoos
Of 81. Lawrence island. about sixty milel
from Nome but can DO nothing asains
this See.
Nay l3-rhia morning va made an eior
20 pull out. BAT encountered enormous hoel
q thick lee aud were forced 70 lie stu
The rest Of the day.
Nay ia terrible blizzard ragged al
day. TIE vessel did not move.
Nay u-Tne storm contlnued thiu morn.