CAPT. M. A. HEALY'S LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, 



U. S. Eevenue Marine, 



Eeventte Steamer Corwin, 



Martinez Gal., November 10, 1884. 



Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report covering the operations of this vessel dur- 

 ing her recent cruise in the Arctic, together with a report of Lieut. J. VV. Howison, who was located 

 thirty days at Point Hope, and of Lieut. J. 0. Cantwell and Assistant Engineer S. B. McLenegan, 

 regarding their exploration of the Kowak River. 



I would respectfully call attention to the fact that the head of the river was not reached either 

 by our party or the naval expedition, and the most interesting portion of the river remains unex- 

 plored. As far as I cau learn, the naval expedition ascended about four hundred miles, and that 

 from the Corwin three hundred and seveniy-nine — little or no difierence. Lieutenant Cantwell had 

 reached his highest point and was retuiping when he met the expedition under Lieutenant Stoney. 



We are the pioneers of the river, and I believe the report of Lieutenant Cantwell will be read 

 with interest. 



The specimens of birds and minerals collected were forwarded upon our arrival. 



The floral specimens are forw.arded by today's mail for classification. Those collected up the 

 river are separately marked from those obtained along the coast. 



I also forward the report of Lieutenant Lutz of his operations at the seal islands, together 

 with a chart showing soundings, and rocks and shoals surveyed by him. I fnlly indorse his 

 recommendation that the officer detailed for duty at the seal islands take up his residence here- 

 after on St. Paul Island instead of Otter Island. At St. Paul Island plenty of men and boats can 

 be obtained and much more effective work be accomplished than could possibly be done by an 

 officer on Otter Island with but two men. Otter Island may be visited as often as necessary. 



The officers of the schooner Adele, seized by Mr. Lutz, all pleaded guilty on the charge for 

 which they were indicted and have beep sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The case of the 

 schooner is still undecided. I believe that the conviction of the officers was due in a great meas- 

 ure to the attention and perseverance Mr. Lutz has given to the case. 



Since my return I have learned through men who have been seamen on the seal-marauding 

 vessels that most of the seal taken this year were killed on St. George Island and near the village 

 and directly under the nose of the special agent. This could not have been done if anything like 

 a decent lookout had been kept. 



I would recommend that an officer of this service be stationed on that island next year, and I 

 think these seal-marauding expeditions will be broken up. 



The inclosed reports, together with partial reports transmitted heretofore, cover the entire 

 operations of this vessel on her late cruise, and I believe the whole to be as complete as could be 

 expected of a seaman untrained in the work of collecting scientific data. 



I have to express my thanks to Prof. George Davidson, of the U. S. Coast Survey, for impor- 

 tant assistance in the work of making the chart of the Kowak River, etc., and to the various gen- 

 tlemen connected with the U. S. National Museum whose statements regarding specimens of 

 natural history collected by the Corwin form a part of this report. 

 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



M. A. Healy, 



Captain, U. S. Revenue Marine. 

 The Secretary op the Treasury, 



Washington, D. C. 



