LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



^ U. S. Revenue Steamer Corwin, 



San Francisco, Oal., November 13, 1884. 



Sir: Herewith I have the honor to transmit a transcript of the journal of the progress of au 

 expedition sent from the Corwin during the last summer for the exploration of the Kowak River. 



A chart of the river, as far as has been exijiored, showing the surroundings, width, and 

 character of the shores, in detail, is now being prepared and will be finished in the course of a 

 week or ten days. 



While I regret the failure of the expedition to accomplish the prime object for which it was 

 sent, namely, the exploration of a lake which is supposed to exist at the headwaters of the river, 

 I can not refrain from saying that much useful information and experience have been obtained, 

 which will be of great service in future explorations in this direction. There seems to be no 

 reasonable doubt of the existence of a large lake at or near the headwaters of the Kowak. The 

 Indians speak constantly of it and say that from the uaouutains around its upper portion the "sea 

 is vi.sible in one direction." They also report that short portages are here made which bring them 

 to the Yukon Eiver by way of the Kuryukuk in one direction and to the sea, by way of another 

 river, in the other. The query arises: Is this latter the Colville Kiver! If so, a ready means of 

 communication could be established between the settlements on the Yukon River and .those on the 

 shores of the Arctic Ocean. The importance of such a communication can hardly bo overestimated. 

 The vast tract of country lying within the Arctic Circle and between meridians 135° and 105° west 

 longitude remains i)ractically unexplored. With the exception of the coast and the comparatively 

 small i)ortions drained by the Porcupine and Kowak Rivers, this vast region is as little known as 

 when flr.st discovered. That this country is rich in mineral deposits is fully attested by the many 

 specimens of ore brought to the coast by the nomadic tribes of Indians who roam the mountains 

 in search of the bear, moose, and deer during the winter months, and by the frequent indications of 

 gold and silver seen by our party in our progress up the Kowak. These indications increased as 

 we advanced, and the conclusi n is irresistibly reached that among the high mountains which fom 

 the watershed for the Kowak, Kuryukuk, and (possibly) Colville Elvers the precious metals may 

 be found in large quantities. 



The question of the commercial importance of explorations in this region, however, sinks into 

 insignificance when their relation to the cause of humanity is considered. Scarcely a year jjassc s 

 that does not carry with it a sad record of suflering aud disaster to those whose business or duty 

 brings them into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. In the pursuit of their calling the hardy whale- 

 men often press to the eastward beyond Point Barrow, and sometimes it happens that, lured on 

 by their rich quarry, they are delayed until the ice forms around Point Barrow and their retreat 

 in this direction is cut off. If it were known that a communication by river could be made with 

 the Yukon there would still be time enough to lay their vessels uj) in some convenient bay on 

 the northern coast and reach civilization and safety before the long, dreary winter sets in. But 

 in the absence of any authoritative information on the subject, they look with sailors' natural dread 

 on the dark wilderness, and, with a wild hope that they may yet escape, turn their ship's head 

 toward the treacherous ice. A crushed aud dismantled hulk, a few bleached and mangled bones, 



