The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-21

CAPTAIN JOHN MCCAIN.
Mississippi River pilot ard raftsnan. who
commands the steamer Sarah. the largest
beat on the Yukon River.
pilots. trained TO different class OF work.
were practically helpless in dealing with
new problems. The first attempts to navi-
gate the Yukon were failures. and II was
not until Mississippi River pilots were
cured that highway use of the greatest OF
the Alaskan rivers became a possibility.
AT FIRST DECLINED CONTRACTS.
Eight OF nine years ago the companies
Interested in the development Of Alaska
began to send hack home for river pilots.
offering high salaries and lorg contracts to
experienced men AT first they were IN
successful for the river men, command
ing good salaries at home. did not wish 10
leave familiar paths TO undergo the hard
ships to be expected In the Arctics. but a
year or TWO later. when the lumber mills
along the Mississippi began 10 close down
the opportunity came. Then the M:ss.s-
sippi pilots. with their occupation gone at
home, began accepting the advantageous
Crosse. Dubuque. and other Mississippi cities
went to work on the Alaskan river.
TO the Mississippi River men the prob
lens ON the Yukon offered nothing serious.
The found navigation there rather easier
on account Of the depth Of the river and
the strength Uf the current and under their
quickly built. The first pilots were from
the start able - hanGie ships on the river
in daylight and. after a few trips. were
able 10 navigate day and night.
Year by year. as the business increased.
more Mississippi River men have gone to
the Yukon Until ncw the traffic on the big
and male formerly engaged at the
sam. employment OF the Upper Mississippi.
only the crews being chosen IN Alaska The
best testimony OF their skill is the state
ment Of the fact that on the Yukon. where
the ocean pilots found navigation impos-
sble. there has not been a single serious
accident since the La Crosse aud other
river men took charge OF the boat
PERSONNEL OF PILOT GROUP.
Most OF the Alaskan river men have their
homes along the Mississippi. principally
In La Crosse. Winona Wabasha. Dubuque,
Rock Island and Clinton. T!,cir season
lasts but four months. from Ju:e Is or %
to about the same date in October and as
q rule they return home 10 spend the
winters with th-:r families. The usual
spring exodus from the Mississippi towns
to the Yukon has taken place during the
Last week, about ten days being required Tor
the trip.
Northern river are Captain John w. Nc
Cam OF La Crosse. who pilots The steamer
Sarah. the largest on the Yukon; Captain
NJ VI. Looney Of Dakota. MINI; Mate al
ter Hood OF La Crosse. Captain o. J; New
comb OF Pepin and Captain John B. Nc
Carthv Of Galena III. CAPTAINS Thomas
Daisorl of Dubuque o. e. Mckinley OF Rock
Island. Albert Hill and John Moore OF La
Crosse are some o! tina we!l-knoWn river
mon who have concluded not to return TO
the North this year.
C'ar.ain Mccain was ore OF the best
known men on the upper river. and his ap-
Monument 10 the most responsible position
on the largest boat on the Yukon is a de-
served tribute to his skill navigator:
de VS. born and raised in La Crosse, and
v.es for years mate N the Kit Carson. one
of III. Macdonald feet of raftc-S. He went
TO AiaeEa I'VE years ago and has since been
errrloyed an that river. During all TINS
tine he has never had the slightest mishap.
MAN AND FAMILY ICEBOUND.
Two wears ago Captain McCann's wife
and little daughter went with him TO Alas
Ia. and during the season lived with him
on the boat. During the winter they were
icebound at Dawson. Last fall Captain NC
Cam and family returned home. and this
summer Mrs. Mccain remained at home.
Discussing the problems Of navigation on
the Yukon as compared with the Missis-
sinni Captain Mccain said the work of the
rirerueu was much easier in the North.
The channel of the Yukon is deep and
swift. and there il also the advantage Of
good light at all times. n pilot being able
10 make his way almost as clearly by night
ss nv day Each steamer runs between st.
Nichaers and Dawson. a distance OF l. eOJ
miles and makes three round trips during
tha sessgn. making siSty-hve stops en-
route The season closes by the ship be-
ccrriny icebonnd at some port. and the
canaan and crew being compelled to make
their way overland 10 the coast.