12 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



of fuel. Without doubt tliis spot is the most favorable that can be chosen for the purpose 

 iuteuded. Spacious, with uuifonu soundings of from seven to nine fathoms, good hohling bottom, 

 easy of access, little frequented by heavy winds during the summer months, and aflording 

 excellent opitortiinities for watering shi]), Port Clarence i)ossesses all the requirements of a good 

 harbor, while its proximity to the Arctic fulfills the main condition requisite in a base of supi>lios. 



Viewing the matter in the same light that it appears to me, the Pacific Coast Steam Whaling 

 Comi)any, acting on the advice of its most experienced captains, has selected a site near to that 

 of the Revenue Marine Service as a place of deposit for a cargo of coal for the use of its vessels. 



August 1, Lieutenant Cook reported on board, having finished the duty to which he had been 

 assigned, in connection with the establishment of the coaling station. 



On the same day I broke the seals placed on liquors on board the Northern Light, the quantity 

 left open having been used. 



Having coaled ship and taken on board a supply of fresh water, we sailed August 2 for St. 

 Michael's, where we arrived on the M, having stopped en route at King's Island. The natives 

 at the latter place seem to be in a prosperous condition. 



On the 4th we proceeded to Golowiu Bay, conveying the stores for the mining company, to 

 which reference has been made. 



Uere I was snri)riscd to find the mainmast-head sprung. Ui)on lifting the main rigging and 

 trestle-trees I found the mast-head completely gone under the trestle-trees by reason of dry-rot, and 

 had precautious not been taken the mast-head would have fallen on deck when the trestle-trees 

 were removed. 



Cutting the mast-head down to good wood, the ship's carpenter formed a new one, which, 

 although shorter than the old, answered the purpose for the balance of the cruise, as it admitted of 

 the setting of a reefed mainsail. The rigging being in good (condition and desiring to avoid spoil- 

 ing the gang for a new mast, I had the dead-eyes slipped out of their splices and set the rigging 

 up with wire 8tra])s. In this manner a serviceable mast has been saved for the cruise, and the 

 rigging can be used on the new spar which it will be necessary to purchase. 



Having com|)leted these repairs, I proceeded to the westward, and on the 9th, 10th, and 11th 

 of August visited St. Lawrence Island. Landings were made at the various villages and careful 

 search instituted for further information concerning the almost total depopulation of this island, 

 as well as to prosecute iiKjuiries in regard to the whisky traffic. 



At the villages along the north shore no signs of living beings could be found, but the still- 

 decaying bodies of these unfortunate Eskimos were lying in and about the falling houses, and 

 weapons, sledges, and canoes were still undisturbed. No native will touch a thing belonging to 

 the dead, and years hence relics of these people will be found here unless they are removed sooner 

 by white men. 



No new information of a positive character could be obtained, but I feel little hesitation in 

 saying that the reports previously furnished the Departmetit are in the main correct. 



Tracking along the shore to the northwest end of the island, we stopped off the village of 

 Tchiboukak, where the vessel was visited by a large number of natives. I was pleased to note 

 their healthy, cleanly, and prosperous condition, their full forms and faces showing that food was 

 plentiful. A visit to the shore brought to light large stores of dried lish and other eatables, and 

 this, together with their excellent clothing, convinced me that they had taken warning by previous 

 experience and furnished positive evidence, without the necessity of believing native assertion, 

 that the whisky tiatler had not carried on his nefarious tratlic the past two seasons. 



The publicity given by the Revenue Marino to the effects of this vile trade had probably induced 

 the traders to keej) away. 



Oil the 12th we reached Port Clarence. I found here on board the ship Syren four deserters 

 from the whale-ship Datrn, who had come to the coaling station in a destitute condition. Captain 

 Crocker, of the tSyren, informed me that he did not have suflBcient supplies to warrant his retaining 

 these men on board his ves.sel, and believing that they must starve if left on shore, motives of 

 humanity prompted uu^ to take them on board. After having coaled and watered ship, we left, 

 August 15, for Kotzebue Sound. The whole shore of the sound was skirted in search of illegal 



