INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 41 



E. J. Edson, Dr. Driggs was taken on board tlie Bear to return to the 

 States for a vacation. 



On August 7 the Bear started up the coast for Point Barrow, wending 

 its way through large packs of floating ice, and on the following day 

 caught up with the whaling fleet at anchor near Icy Cape, at the south- 

 ern edge of the great arctic ice pack. The whaling fleet had been at 

 anchor for nineteen days, waiting for the ice to open. The Bear lay 

 there for fourteen clays longer, waiting for an opportunity to get farther 

 north. Parties from Point Barrow, who came down the coast for their 

 mail, reijorted that the past winter had not been very cold, the lowest 

 temperature being 30° below zero. Giving uj) all expectation of getting 

 farther north, youn^ ice forming on the sea and on the rigging of the 

 vessel, the captain concluded to turn southward, which he did on August 

 22. The following day a school of walrus was sighted several miles 

 away, and hunting parties were sent out and secured ten of them. 

 Picking up the walrus, the vessel continued southward, calling at Point 

 Hope the next day. On August 27, at Cape Prince of Wales, Mr. 

 and Mrs. Lopp were taken on board, also returning to the States for a 

 vacation. 



The reindeer station was reached on the evening of the same day, and 

 two days were spent in securing requisitions and finishing up the busi- 

 ness of the year. On September 1, at St. Michael, the Bear took on 

 board sixteen destitute miners from the Yukon. On the evening of 

 September 4 the vessel anchored off' the St. Lawrence Island village. 

 The evening was spent closing up the season's business at the station. 

 Eequisitions were made out for another year's supplies, last letters were 

 received, farewells were spoken, and Mr. and Mrs. Gambell were again 

 cut off from all communication with the world for another year. Sep- 

 tember 6 St. Matthew and Hall islands were passed, and on the 7th 

 anchor was dropped at St. Paul Island, where on the 8th a landing was 

 made for a few hours. On September 9 a similar landing was made at 

 St. Cxeorge Island, and at noon on September 11 anchor was dropped 

 in Dutch Harbor, IJnalaska, closing the arctic cruise of 1895. 



At Unalaska, by the courtesy of Capt. C. L. Hooper, I was received 

 on board the United States revenue cutter Rushy on which I remained 

 until her arrival at San Francisco, October r». On October 9 the start 

 was made for Washington, which was reached on the llrth, completing 

 a trip of about 16,000 miles during the season. 



I desire to acknowledge the many courtesies received from Capt, M. A. 

 Healy, commanding the Bear, and from Capt. C. L. Hooper, commanding 

 the Rush; also the hearty cooperation and indispensable aid rendered 

 by the officers and crew of the Bear in the importation of reindeer. 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, 



William Hamilton, 

 Assistant Agent of Education for Alaska. 



Hon. W. T. Harris, LL. D., 



Commissioner of Education. 



