The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1910-01-29


line Of islands and detached
a rCcks stretches for a dis
tance of 80 miles into the
North Pacific ocean These islands
are very little known, as so far they
have been quite clear Of any CONNER
cial route, and, with the exception of
an occasional halibut-fishing schooner,
no vessel has had any reason for Wis
iting them. They lie moreover, in
dangerous and only partially surveyed
waters, where strong tideraces break
up the swell of the ocean and sudden
storms of great fury are frequent.
There are no safe anchorages, and as
none Of the islands appears to possess
any commercial value, they are likely
to remain undisturbed for many years
to come. The admiralty charts and
the Pilots Handbook are not enthusi-
astic about the group, proffering only
the advice that no vessel should ap-
proach them closely and marking
many spots as dangerous for boats
and small vessels.
The object OF our expedition in
June Of the present year was to ex-
anime into the nesting habits of the
various ocean birds that were report
ed to breed on these islands in great
quantities; and. Of course, Triangle
island, lying at the furthest distance
off shore and being the least access
1ble, became the center of attraction
There were many difficulties in the
way Of getting there; but we for
tunately fell in with two Danes at
Cape Scott who owned a small sail
fng-boat and were willing to take us
to Triangle island and return for us
In couple of weeks. Neither of them
had ever been to the island before.
so we We're all equally ignorant as to
the chances of being able to land un-
der unfavorable weather conditions.
The outward journey was made
very comfortably, and an easy landing
was effected on the northeast side
of the island where We found a good
stream OF water and a great abun.
dance of driftwood. The first view OF
Triangle island gives one the impress
sion that it is covered with short
grass Of a brilliant green color, and
that the high land is as easy to travel
over as the South Downs along the
English channel; but closer inspec-
tion reveals dense growth of stunt
ed brush, mostly salmon-berrv and
salle, with a little scrub crab-anple
growing to a height Of three or four
feet, and making speedy walking i'm
possible. The cliffs are rocky and
precipitous in places but for the most
part are quite accessible and covered
with long grass and fern. among
which grow many Of the common
coast flowers. There is an entire Alb
sence Of trees, in marked contrast To
the dense growth of scrub timber on
the other islands Of the group. and
indeed neatly all the ISLANDS ~
the seabOard of British Columbia TT
actual ""aaSst,..::-1e is rough and wild in
the extreme The points run ont a
long way from the main island ~
r soldtcd pinnaclcs and high bluffs os
fantastic shape while caves and nm.
dergrOund sea passages are of rom.
mon occurrence. The sbana of .j,a
island IS that Of an illmade starfsb
On the southwest corner is long
promontory connected with the main
island By a low, narrow neck ovar
which the sea breaks in beavv
weather. The island is abo.t a mile
In length and rises TO a height of ESQ
feet On The highest point il Is NOW
p-nugspd tD establish a EgbtI-,,-r