12 CRUISE gP THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



of fuel. Without doubt tliis spot is tlie most favorable that caa be chosen for ^ho purpose 

 inteuded. Spacious, with uniform soundiugs of from seven to nine fathoms, good holding bottom, 

 easy of access, little frequented by heavy winds during the summer months, and affording 

 excellent oitportunities for watering slu'i), Port Clarence possesses all the requirements of a good 

 harbor, while its proximity to the Arctic fulfills the main condition requisite in a base of supt)lies. 



Viewing the matter in the same light that it appears to me, the Pacific Coast Steam Whaling 

 Company, acting on the advice of its most experienced captains, has selected a site near to that 

 of the Revenue Marine Service as a place of deposit for a cargo of coal for the use of its vessels. 



August 1, Lieutenaut Cook reported on board, having finished the duty to which he had been 

 assigned, in connection with the establishment of the coaling station. 



On the same day I broke the seals placed on li(iuors on board the Northern Liyht, the quantity 

 left open having been used. 



Having coaled ship and taken on board a supply of fresh water, we sailed August 2 for St, 

 Michael's, where we arrived on the 3d, having stojjped en route at King's Island. The natives 

 at the latter place seem to be in a prosperous condition. 



On the 4th we proceeded to Golowiu Bay, conveying the stores for the mining company, to 

 which reference has been made. 



Here I was suri>rised to find the mainmast-head sprung. Upon lifting the main rigging and 

 trestle-trees I found the mast-head completely gone under the trestle-trees by reason of dry-rot, and 

 had precautious not been taken the mast-head would have fallen on deck when the trestle-trees 

 were removed. 



Cutting the mast-head down to good wood, the ship's carpenter formed a new one, which, 

 although shorter than the old, answered the purpose for the balance of the cruise, as it admitted of 

 the setting of a reefed mainsail. The rigging being in good condition and desiring to avoid spoil- 

 ing the gang for a new mast, I had the dead-eyes slipped out of their splices and set the rigging 

 up with wire 8trai)s. In this manner a serviceable mast has been saved for the cruise, and the 

 rigging can be used on the new spar which it will be necessary to purchase. 



Having completed these repairs, I proceeded to the westward, and on the 'Jth, 10th, and 11th 

 of August visited St. Lawrence Island. Landings were made at the various villages and careful 

 search instituted for further information concerning the almost total depopulation of this island, 

 as well as to prosecute inquiries in regard to the whisky traffic. 



At the villages along the north shore no signs of living beings could be found, but the still- 

 decaying bodies of these unfortunate Eskimos M'cre lying in and about the falling houses, and 

 weapons, sledges, and canoes were still undisturbed. No native will touch a thing belonging to 

 the dead, and years hence relics of these people will be found here unless they are removed sooner 

 by white men. 



No new information of a positive character could be obtained, but I feel little hesitation in 

 saying that the reports previously furnished the Departmeiit are in the main correct. 



Tracking along the shore to the northwest end of the island, we stopi)ed ofl' the village of 

 Tchiboukak, where the vessel was visited by a large number of natives. I was pleased to note 

 their healthy, cleanly, and prosperous condition, their full forms and faces showing that food was 

 plentiful. A visit to the shore brought to light largo stores of dried fish and other eatables, and 

 this, together with their excellent clothing, convinced me that they had taken warning by previous 

 experience aiul furnished positive «^vidence, without the necessity of believing native assertion, 

 that the whisky trader had not carried on his nefarious traHic the past two seasons. 



The publicity given by the Revenue Marine to the effects of this vile trade had probably induced 

 the traders to keep away. 



On the 12th we reached Port Clarence. I found here on board the ship Syren four deserters 

 from the whale-ship Daini, who had coine to the coaling station in a destitute condition. Captain 

 Crocker, of the Syren, informed me that he did not have sufMcient supplies to warrant his retaining 

 these men on board his vessel, and believing that they must starve if left on shore, motives of 

 humanity prouqited me to take them on board. Alter having co.aled and watered ship, we left, 

 August 15, for Kotzebue Sound. The whole shore of the sound was skirted in search of illegal 



