DEPARTUIU-: FCOM SAX FRANCISCO. 23 



and all, our hearty good wishes for their safe return, and 



t/ lj 



for the entire success of the American Arctic Expedition from 

 the Pacific." 



The departure of the Jcannette from San Francisco, on 

 the 8th of July, 1879, \vas a notable event in the history of 

 that city. As the vessel moved slowly toward the Golden 

 (late, the friendly waving of hats and handkerchiefs from 

 the wharves, the shipping, and Telegraph Hill, told the ex- 

 plorers that the good people of the city, as well as the men 

 of the sea, were giving them a hearty send-off. A salute of 

 ten guns fired from Fort Point greeted them at the Narrows, 

 and several steamboats crowded \\ith spectators, and the 

 white-sailed craft of the San Francisco Yacht Club convovcd 



. 



the Jeannette till she was out on the bosom of the broad Pa- 

 cific, and fairly started on her voyage to the unknown north. 

 Mrs. DeLong, the devoted wife of the commander, remained 

 on her husband's ship till the \u*\ moment, and received his 

 parting farewell as he assisted her from the Jeannette's boat 

 to the deck of the last ret iirniui;- craft. 



The Jeannette proceeded direct to Ounalaska, one of the 

 Aleutian Islands, and anchored in the harbor of lllionlionk, 

 August 2d. This place is the headquarters of the Alaska 

 Commercial Company, and its au'ent and other oflicials 

 showed the explorers much kindness and attention. Addi- 

 tional stores and supplies of coal and fur from the store- 

 houses of the company were taken on board. 



On the 6th of August the .feannette resumed her course, 

 and on the 12th of Auuiisl, anchored opposite the little set- 

 tlement and blockhouse known by Americans as St. Michael's, 

 Alaska, and by Russians as Michaelovski. The explorers 

 were welcomed by Mr. Xewmann. agent of the Alaska Com- 

 mercial Company, and by Mr. Nelson, an employee of the 

 Smithsonian Institute and observer of the U. S. Signal Ser- 

 vice, who were philosophical enough to live contentedly in 

 that isolated [dace. A drove of about forty trained dogs, 

 three dog-sleds, and fur clothing were here taken on board 



