1G 



CRUISE OF STEAMER CORWIN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 



contain numbers of whales, but that owing to the sudden changes which take place their capture 

 is not attempted. Cape Prince of Wales, the northwestern portion of the continent of America, 

 forms the east side of the straits. It is a high, rugged promontory, rising to a height of 2,500 

 feet. On the south side the mountain is steep to the sea, but on the north slopes away gradually, 

 terminating in a strip of low land several miles in width. Off the end of the cape a dangerous 

 shoal extends in a northerly direction, having at a distance of 8 miles 5 fathoms of water, and at 

 15 miles 7 fathoms. On the west side the shoal is abrupt, going from 5 fathoms to 25 in a distance 

 of two or three ships' lengths. On the east side the change is more gradual, 9 fathoms, which 

 was carried -close up to the cape inside of the shoal, being the greatest depth found. This shoal 

 is dangerous, from the fact that the whalers in leaving the Arctic late iu the fall are often com- 

 pelled to pass near to avoid the ice which accumulates in the west side of the straits alter the 

 northeast winds begin to blow. There are. two native settlements at the extremity of the cape, 

 one being on the beach and the other on the side of the hill. 



The natives are the worst on the coast, being generally feared by all with whom they come iu 

 contact. When no one else is at hand they are said to tight with each other. Their disastrous 

 encounter with the crew of the trading brig W. II. Allen, of Honolulu, was referred to iu my former 

 report. The lesson taught them at that time seems to have had a beneficial effect, as they have 

 not attempted to molest white men since. 



Bast Cape, called by Nordenskjold Daschner, which forms the west side of the strait, is a bold 

 promontory connected to the mainland by a low neck. Like Cape Prince of Wales, it has at a * 

 distance the appearance of an island. It is the most eastern point of the continent of Asia, and 

 also of what is generally termed the Tchuktchi Peninsula. It has two native settlements, one on 

 the north side and one on the south side. The natives are Tchuktchis, but owing to their long 

 intercourse with the Inuuits have acquired many of their habits. A few Innuit words are also 

 in use among them, as well as Kanaka and English, and occasionally they put in a few adjectives 

 iu Portuguese. The effect of this general mixture is extremely ludicrous. After passing East 

 Cape we steamed to the southward until 10 o'clock p. in., when we came up to an immense field of 

 ice, closely packed and extending east and west as far as we could see from the mast head. 

 Following its edge for a distance of 20 miles without finding its eastern limit or any indication of 

 a lead through it, and the wind freshening, with indications of approaching bad weather, we 

 hauled up for Saint Lawrence Bay, not caring to encounter a gale at sea in our crippled con- 

 dition. We reached the north side of the bay at 7.30 a. m., and came to auchor in 7 fathoms 

 of water off the mouth of a fresh-water stream, upon the east bank of which is a small native set- 

 tlement. The ice in the iuuer bay was still unbroken. The natives came on board and we tried 



CAPE KPELONGOUNE, BEARING WKST, MAGNETIC DISTANCE 10 MILES. (SOUTH HEAD OF SAINT 



LAWRENCE BAY.) 



to buy some reindeer-skins, but did not succeed. Formerly large herds of reindeer were owned 

 and kept at this place, but for some cause they have been taken away. One large herd owned by 

 a former resident of Saint Lawrence Bay, by the name of Omniscott, is now kept at Mechigoue 

 Bay, about 30 miles to the south and west. The owner, a modest, dignified old man, who talked 

 but little, made, us a visit, having come from the "Southlead," about 10 miles, where he had 

 a sou living, whom he was visiting at the time of our arrival. Although evidently disappointed 

 when told that we were not there for the purpose of trading, and had uo whisky, he was very 



