Year: 1866

ton of teegraphs. The submarine crossings
win have the advantage Of even and soft bottom,
with safe landings and cables not long 10 M"
their performance doubtful The land lines firmly plant
cd in the frozen earth will stand mortced In rock
they will stretch over the frozen desolation unharmed
and unmolesed; BESIDES with reindeer and dogs the
winter Ssnng will be ely and seven
tyeght aud Anadyr bay two hundred and nine nautical
miles between landings with water of such depth that
cebergs alone could njure the cable these unknown
in Behring Strait or south Of ii the northward cur
rents preventing any drift Of deep masses south even
when the surface current is changed by strong north


II has been argued by some that the terrific gales Of
high latitude opposed insuperable difficulty in keeping
up nes they not abulois yet no more violent than
the gales Of your temperate zone The Esquimaux
builds his insecure skin tent the most exposed place.
that the may blow away from IT, and there 1t
stands his shelter and home through ali the blasts Of
the long winter i have seen no Esqumaux on the
Asatic side inhabhng underground winter houses as OF
old the excavations and ruins remain but the people
gone long SINCE and the present races occupy the
ground with their deer skin hab btations


The Indians Of the coast are misrepresentcd; we
found them friendly honest and exceedingly hospitablc
manesing any occasion, about any Of our
vessels the least disposition TO steal but they beg,
thinking probably that the white man, who has so
much can freely give Those people can be made useful
with sproper management; more SO in The future than
in the beginning of our work.


Game is abundant during the summer, especially water
fowl, and the Indians catch considerable quantities of
salmon Reindeer rabbits grouse and foxes tthe three
last whtc), seemed PLENTIFUL also seal and walruses


Reindeer used for beasts o burden the coast





America, dogs alone. With these animals some Of our
short inland transportation must be accomplished during
tie water especially that over the thick moss covered
region We intend To every available means OF water
transportation and locate our lines so far as possible to
favor the plan,
ncnts during next summer two more sailing vessels will
be necessary and another steamer |" greater caPacty
and power than the Wright especially = aeo'o.u leu -
lay the cable; besides, believe 1t will be necessS W
send the Wright into the Ochotsk sea. I propose to
build here two small stenwhee steamboats, about forty
feet long OF light drausht TO tow barses or small nat
be always necessary 10 transport our supplies into the
Interior !. -4..i-,


Should the Navy Department give us steamer that
will not sail without steam, and leave to provide COAL
ii will be doubtful economy to accept Steamers for our
service should be, like the Wright either sailing
vessel or steamer circumstances require This steamer
has proved valuable vessel both economical and
serviceable; with blades her propeller she steams
well, and performs admirably under sail alone. Since
leaving San Francis her keel has gone through eleven
thousand miles Of water and of this she owed some one
OF our vessels twelve hundred miles at sea In the
pausk she lost her smokestack and sails be-
sides being somewhat damaged in her upper
condition but the Milton Badger destructive 10 sails
that recommend her SALE 10 be replaced with square
rugged vessel The Gold Gates equipment was smi-
lar vessel In the service and she has been
flagship OF the expedition The show OF power and the
nationality that Captain Scanmon represented with his
flag necessary to insure the respect and kind Ollie
of people who expect this especially in enterprise
that interests the world Our general military organiza





savage or civilized but among the members of the or
gapiZaton


In natural history the collections have exceeded the
expectations OF the most sanguine, and do honor TO III.
liberay which has permit ID trs Work No oiher duty
has been neglected for .nis object howe-er but when
recreation wa necessary conyebient this has proved
p'ca~~ny aud instructive source


Odi soundlngs were Made with u new instrument
which brings up s-1cent quantity of any other bottom
than rock FOR satisfactory tes aud which, during the
progress OF our work has added many interesting spcc
mems from the ocean beds to our collections


The general health OF all connected with the exped
ton has been good. No serious sickness has been
ported death has occurred any serious casualty
befallcn any person


The exprd ton delayed so late that obliged
Ia abandon icy plan of exploring the lower Kvchpak
and It's mouth and the thorough boat exploration Of the
ADayr river bat the wnter partis in the field will
accomplish the purpose.


All the vessels have rendered most efficient service
are well adapted the work There have been but
few lisiless idle hands prows
turned fairly north and with scarcely exception, all
connected with the enterprise have engaged with in
tercst In the service and zcalosy cndeavorcd each 10
emulate the other In the discharge Of their duties The
services of Captain Scammon have been Of the greatest
importance, not only thorough seaman but par-
cuarly an officer OF The government or the United
States carrying our national flag.


The Russians sensible OF the Importance OF the
prise, have neglected opportunity the
ceiving with unbounded hospitality. The officials
have generously assisted US


In regard the British Columbia division will re-
port Immediately after Mr. Conway arrives


am, most respectfully yours obcdicntly,


sHAS. >. BULKLEY, Enginecr. in Chief