34 REPORT ON INTRODUCTION OF 



arose from the sea, and with regular sloping sides formed a conical- 

 shaped mountain, covered with ice and snow. It is evidently of volcanic 

 formation, as the ravines formed by the lava flows radiate from the 

 coue to the base in regular lines. 



A few years ago a volcanic eruption split off a portion of this moun- 

 tain and cast it into the sea. The mountain forms an island about 27 

 miles in circumference. This island was ever present and formed a 

 conspicuous landmark through the entire day's sail. Prominent on the 

 horizon in front of us in the morning, and which we only passed in the 

 evening, was Cape Douglass, which marks the southwest boundary of 

 Cooks Inlet. In the far distance it looms up an island cone, appar- 

 ently separated from the mainland, but a nearer approach reveals a 

 a large group of sharp peaks covered with snow aud their ravines filled 

 with glaciers. At noon a shout on deck took us out of the cabin to see 

 a wonderful display of bird life. The water was black with them, form- 

 ing a belt from 50 to 100 yards wide, and almost as far as the eye could 

 reach. The birds had evidently found a school of small fish upon which 

 they were gorging themselves. At different times in the inlet a number 

 of fur seal were seen disporting themselves in the water. 



At 3.30 p. m. the ship was hove to to board a small schooner, the 

 Jayhaivker, of Juneau, E. H. Bogues, master. The only occupants of 

 the vessel were Mr. Bogues and a boy of 11 years of age. Mr. Bogues 

 was sick. The schooner had sprung a leak and was half full of water, 

 and the two sailors were entirely out of provisions. The captain offered 

 to tow them iuto a neighboring harbor, but they declined his assist- 

 ance. He then sent them some provisions and left them. It was after- 

 wards learned that the schooner and master were famous for smuggling. 

 A superb sunset closed a day of wonderful scenery. For grandeur of 

 scenery Cooks Inlet greatly surpasses the properly famed scenery of 

 southeast Alaska. Early in the morning of May 3L the Bear dropped 

 anchor at Karluk. In the harbor were the American barks Harvester, 

 Merom, and Nicholas Thayer. Daring the forenoon I went ashore and 

 inspected the Government schoolhouse which was erected several years 

 ago at this place. Duriug the past two years, owing to the smallness 

 of the appropriation of Congress, the schoolhouse has been closed. 

 Karluk is the most famous place in the world for salmon, there being 

 six or seven large canneries at this place. 



Returning from the visit to the village, at 2.15 p. m. the ship got under, 

 way for Afognak. The wind freshening into a gale and being dead 

 ahead, with a heavy sea, the captain put into Uyak Bay and anchored. 

 This bay runs inland some 27 miles, and in connection with Kaliuda 

 Bay on the eastern side of the island almost cuts the great island of 

 Kadiak into two portions; the trail between the bays is about 8 miles. 

 At anchor in the bay was the small fishing steamer Ella Rolhffs. Rich 

 quartz gold mines are reported at the head of the bay. The storm hav- 

 ing somewhat abated, at 2.50 a. in., June 2, we were again under way. 



