CEUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 15 



to a standstill the cake would split and the two parts shoot from each other in separation; again 

 some vessel would come to a standstill in an unruly piece, and a following vessel would shift her 

 course and strike the binding ice with such judgment and skill as to loosen the former and yet not 

 stop her own progress ; now one vessel would slide broadside up on a huge piece and roll covering- 

 boards under, while another would force her bows high up out of the water until the ice broke 

 and the pieces were forced up from under her bottom. On board these ships little noise was 

 heard except the orders of the officers. What conversation was carried on was in an undertone, 

 the excitement being so intense as to check the naturally loud tones of the sailors. Each saw and 

 appreciated the danger, and with one accord drew a long breath of relief when a place of apparent 

 safety had been reached. At 7.35 we had got inside the ground ice and made fast to a large floe, 

 Point Franklin bearing south, true, distant six miles. Here we were soon joined by the Orca, 

 Mary and Helen, Belvidere, Bwlena, and Lucretia. 



At 7 a. m. of the 25th, having received from the Bwlena eleven of the BowheacVs crew (making 

 twenty-two all told, including the two men from the Caleb Eaton), rendered medical assistance to 

 one man belonging to the steamer Belvidere, and taken on board the home mail of the fleet, lines 

 were cast ofl' and the CortcMs head was turned to the southward. Working through the ice under 

 varying speeds, we reached the coalmine near Cape Sabine at 11.30 a. m. of the 26th. Here we 

 stopped long enough to take ou board seven more of the wrecked men and proceeded to the south- 

 ward, stopping at Cape Thompson to water ship. Here several dead bodies of natives were found 

 in a house and about the banks of the stream. It is probable that they had partaken of some 

 poisonous substance, as they had been well but a short time before. There was no evidence of 

 violence and food was plentiful. 



A prospecting party found evidence of a fair quality of coal in the bluff's forming the cape, 

 but owing to the condition of the ground it was not possible to determine the extent of the seam. 



On the 28th the Coricin reached Hotham Inlet, and on the 29tli Lieutenant Cantwell and party 

 returned on board. A report covering the operations of these gentlemen since leaving the Corwin, 

 July 10, is herewith inclosed. 



September 1 and 2 I coaled and watered ship at Port Clarence, having left the Arctic August 

 30. On the 4th I arrived at St. Michael's. Here 1 found the Golowin Bay miners, heretofore 

 mentioned, and an army scout in the employ of General Nelson A. Miles, who desired to return to 

 San Francisco. For reasons already given I was constrained to furnish them passage. 



On the same evening I i^roceeded to the southward and westward, and on the morning of the 

 8th arrived at St. Paul Island. After anchoring I was handed a letter from Lieutenant Lutz, a 

 copy of which has been forwarded to the Department. 



I learned from U. S. Special Agent Glidden that there had been two other suspicious vessels 

 about the islands and that one had been chased by Mr. Lutz. He fired upon her and his shots 

 were returned, quite a fusilade being maintained for some time. At least one ball struck the 

 pursuing schooner. 



I desire to call the attention of the Department to the courage displayed by Mr. Lutz in board- 

 ing and seizing with but two men this well-manned and well-armed vessel, and to express my 

 approbation of the course he has pursued throughout. The qualities of character that he has 

 shown are such as I deemed him possessed of when I selected him for the imijortant duty of guard- 

 ing the islands. 



Having taken on board the six white and nine Japanese prisoners left at St. Paul by Mr. 

 Lutz on the 9th, I visited St. Geoi-ge Island. Mr. Glidden did not think the Cortvin's presence 

 was required any longer about the islands. 



On September 10 I visited Bogoslov for the purpose of again examining the island and noting 

 any changes that might have occurred. Quite a number of new features attracted our attention, 

 and the report of Dr. Yemans on the subject is herewith inclosed. 



Ou the 11th we arrived at Ounalaska. The presence of so many people on board (ninety- 

 eight all told) had now so reduced the quantity of rations that I found it necessary to purchase 

 provisions here. Properly certified vouchers for the amount of these bills have been forwarded to 

 the Department. 



