The Nome nugget., 1920-06-19
FIRST STEAMER REACHES NOME
 SUNDAY AFTERNOON

the ice fields which still camber Ser ing Sea in spite of the late period of the summer.
 The Bear. under corrmard of eNccu- tive Officer I.t Roemer, was the first to fight her way through tn. wide ice fields stretching to the south and reach the narrow strip of water triversing the pack about two miles from shore. Arriving in this narrow passag, the cutter tied up to the edge of the shore ice. where she was given early greet ing by a number of Nomeites, includ- ing three small Eskimo boys who. with boyish disregard for the danger. had traversed the shore ice a half no or so before the cutter nosed her way thru the thick foes from the direction of Sledge Island. A few minutes afte- the steamer reached the shore ice she was met by Alfred ]. Lomen. Frank Martin and Longboat Dick. who made The trip by dog team for the lurpose 'f ''NN '' aus lAi'''@ttPiiS TUT tue t<cIl1eEl studio. shortly before Messrs Lomen and Martin left. the Coast Guard crew started over the ice with a dory drag ging the boat along as they prpceedei scaward. evidently in expectancy tha. the Bear intended to anchor in open water.
 In,
 steadily forcing her way shoreward, turning and twisting to right or left as she wound her way thru the heavy masses of ice lying along her path and finally reached the open lead where the Bear lay an hour or so after the government steamer. As the two ves- Sels wormed their way through the pack their progress was watched with intense interest by Nome's winter pop ulace, most of whom were cathered at points of vantage along the shore. When the steamers came to rest at the edge of the shore ice. the big whistle o1 the Wild Goose heating plant soundei a hoarse welcome across the interven- ing ice field and announced to our long isolated town the welcoma news that the first boats were in. Owing to the somewhat treacherous state of the ice. only few persons attempted to reach the steamers on foot but numerous dog teams were brought into service and were soon scurrying over the ice. A majority succeeded in reaching the vessels without mshap and driver plunged into one of the numerous slush concealed pools of water. Several other teams also re- ceived a ducking in the icy Water bu' their drivers escaped. After q shor. time n safe trail to the Victoria was located by several teams anG the canines were soon engaged in trans- porting the eager passengers 10 shore Teams were also sent out to 10th ves- scls to bring in the mails. Few teans were able h transport more than two passengers and their hand baggage ut one time over the rough ice and il was well toward midnight before th bilk of the passengers were landed. By the time the first passenger laden sleis ar rived at the beach considerable
 had gathered at the landing place and the annual spectacle of hand shaking and enthusiastic welcomes Was renew ed. The work of unloading the pass engers continued throughou. the great CT part of the night period but it was not until well toward moo, Monday that the last Nome bound pilgrims were placed on shore. Aside from a small quantity of perishabies. apples eggs. lettuce, tomatoes etc. forw hich Nome has been longing for many :, month, no attempt was made to land freight from the Victoria. The latter vessel remained here until shortly be- fore noon Monday and then s;ar,ei for St Michael to land her forty odd pass engerfs for Yukon points.
 The struggle of both vessels to get through the ice fields was a strenuous one. Owing to encouaterins very dense masses Of ice Saturday. evening. neither vessel was able tt make bu, little progress during the night per;cd The Bear. which had reached {, ,,oin. about twelve miles to the es.ward at p. m. Saturday. found he, way en- tirely blocked an1 tied up until tl.e following morning. The luck of the Victoria was slightly bet.-r hut the night hours found her practically at a standstill about IS miles que south of Nome. Both steamers were plainly visible from shore.
 Shortly before noon sunday the two vessels commenced making heaawuv and by mid afternoon ho,h were forg- ing steadily shoreway. Owing 10 her