36 CRUISE OF STEAMER CORWIN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 



we engaged a young halt-breed named Andrewski to accompany us. He proved to be a very 

 excellent man and of great assistance to us. 



The articles obtained by Lieutenant Herring from the natives at Waukerem, taken from the 

 wreck by them, were sent to San Francisco by the St. Paul to be placed on exhibition for identifi- 

 cation at the Merchants' Exchange. 



On the 9th instant we got under way from Saint Michael's aud proceeded across Norton Sound 

 towards Golowin Bay for the purpose of investigating a report, which had reached us through the 

 natives, to the effect that a schooner with a large number of men on board was at anchor at that 

 place. It was said that many of the men were back in the mountains looking "for some kind of 

 rock." Arriving at Golowin Bay on the morning of the 10th, we anchored in the outer bay, whence 

 the masts of a schooner were seen to the northward. On examination the schooner proved to be 

 the H. G. Marsh, of San Francisco, with a party of mining experts on a prospecting trip. They 

 reported a good find of lead and silver, but some distance from the salt water, aud, owing to the 

 constantly frezen condition of the ground, somewhat difficult to mine. They were, however, in 

 good spirits aud seemed quite confident of having "got hold of a good thing." 



Golowin Bay was discovered by Cramtscheuko in 1821. It affords good anchorage in all winds 

 except southerly, to which it is exposed. An inner harbor is formed by a gravel spit, which makes 

 off from the west side of the bay, where small vessels may anchor in safety in all weather. Several 

 rivers empty into the bay, making the water nearly fresh. On the northwest side is a growth of 

 spruce trees (Abies alba) growing to the height of 15 or 20 feet. These small bushy-looking trees 

 scattered over the green tundra, the absence of underbrush, and the long dark-green lines of dwarf 

 willows aud birches filling the ravines on the sloping sides of the gently rising hdls, present the 

 appearance of a number of orchards separated by hedges. The beach was thickly strewn with 

 drift-wood, logs from 20 to 40 feet in length being abundant. This drift, probably from the Yukon 

 River, is piled up many feet above the present high-water mark. Whether this be due to ice press- 

 ure at some time, or the elevation of the land, as is claimed, I am unable to state. The natives 

 assert that a change is taking place, that the water is receding, and more land becoming visible 

 each year. Captain Cook, speaking of Cape Denbigh, which lies a few miles to the eastward of 

 Golowin Bay, says : 



It appeared to me that this peninsula must have been an island in rem«te times, for there were marks of the sea 

 having flowed over the isthmus, and even now it appeared to be kept out by a bank of stones, sand, aud wood, thrown 

 up by the waves. By this bank it was evident that the land was here eucroachiug upon the sea, and it was easy to 

 trace its gradual formation. 



It is an interesting fact, in this connection, that the English expedition under command of 

 Capt. Sir George Nares found on the north coast of Grinnell Land unmistakable signs of raised 

 beaches in the beds of sea shells, ice-marked cliffs, &c, many feet above the present sea-level. A 

 small native settlement is situated near the end of the gravel pit, but owing to a strong breeze, 

 which increased during the afternoon to a fresh gale, none of the inhabitants came on board. 

 Cape Darby forms the east side of the bay, and Cape Kamennoi (Rocky Cape) the west side. 

 They are about 6 miles apart, and both are high and steep. The former, in clear weather, can be 

 seen from the south side of the sound, 50 miles away. Cape Kamennoi, with the land to the west- 

 ward as far as Port Clarence, is in reality an island, a boat passage existing from the head of 

 Golowin Bay to Grantly Harbor. The natives say they often make the passage with their oomiacs 

 in prefereuce to following the coast, especially in stormy weather, as it insures them smooth water, 

 a very necessary condition when traveling in an oomiac. From three to five days are required 

 to make the trip. 



July 11, the gale having blown itself out, we got under way and proceeded along the coast to the 

 westward. There was considerable sea from the southwest in the morning, but it subsided during 

 the day. In the afternoon a sail was reported off the port bow, which proved to be the schooner 

 Czar, belougiug to the Western Fur and Trading Company, from Saint Michael's, bound for San 

 Francisco, by the way of Ounalaska and other trading ports. She sailed from Saiut Michael's a 

 few hours after us and caught the gale out in the sound. Having put letters on board, we pro- 

 ceeded on our way, stopping in the evening off Sledge Island, but did not anchor. The natives, 

 with the exception of a few, too old or too lazy to travel, had gone to the mainland. Sledge 



