CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIK 43 



Following the beach to the southward, in order to get as far to windward as possible, until a 

 point ojjposite the ridge shown in the left of i)hotograph numbered 4 was reached, the ascent was 

 begun. For the first one huudred yards the route lay over a gentle slope composed of fragments 

 of rock thickly covered with looso ashes, into which one sank knee-deep at every step; then, as 

 the sides became steeper, over loosoly-|)iled fiagmeuts of rock, following the ridge until about two- 

 thirds of the distance had been accomplished, when we were confronted by an insurmountable 

 wall of rock (aqueo-igneouc conglomerate), which stopped further progress in that direction. At this 

 point an attempt to photograph the interior of the great fissure was n)ade, but the immense vol- 

 ume of aqueous vaj)or issuing from it and the numerous vents iu the vicinity so completely obscured 

 the view as to render it a total failure. Photographs Nos. 3, 4k, and 5 give a sufficiently clear idea 

 of the appearance of the new formation to make the f.)llowiiig brief description intelligible. The 

 great fissure extends in a northeast and southwest direerion through the upper third of the hill, 

 dividing it into two unequal j)ortions, the southeavStern i)arr being much the smaller and lower one. 

 The smaller portion is about one-fifth of the mass and was 403 feet in height. Owing to its top 

 being obscured the height of the larger summit could not be definitely ascertained, but it was 

 probably about seventy-five feet higher than its neighbor, certainly not over five hundred feet 

 in all, which height it had probably never exceeded by more than fifty feet. No satisfactory 

 examination of the interior of the great fissure could be made, owing to the steam, fumes, and heat 

 rendering entrance into it highly dangerous if not absolutely impossible. 



The immediate entrance only was visible, the clouds of vapor which arose from and almost 

 completely filled it hiding the interior from view. Vents more or less active were abundant; the 

 temperature of the interior of one of the smaller ones was 190° ; the thermometer, laid ou the suitace 

 in a sheltered situation, registered 50°, while when held at the height of the head from tLesuiface 

 the mercury fell to 49°. Water thrown upon the rocks at the entrance of the great fissure was 

 immediately vaporized with a hissing noise. It was observed there and elsewhere that the dis- 

 charge from the vents was perfectly regular, unaccompanied by much, if any, noise, and the ear 

 placed upon the surface and over the larger of the extinct vents could detect nothing more than a 

 faint "i)nrring" or hissing sound. 



Finding it impossible to make the wished-for examination of the great fissure or to reach the 

 summit, we descended and made a half circuit of the base, where a re-ascent was attempted. Steep 

 and inaccessible walls soon stopped our progress, however, and only about the same elevation as 

 on the opposite side was reached, and similar success attended our eftbrts to penetrate or even 

 obtain a view of the interior. The heat of this side was much greater than that of the other, 

 both of the surface and the discharges, it being hot enough in one of the crevices through which 

 steam was escaping to quickly melt the solder fastenings of the thermometer and expanding the 

 mercury sufficiently to burst the bulb, although the instrument was made to register 200° F. 



It is much to be regretted that a thorough examination of the interior of the great fissure 

 was rendered impossible, as much desirable information could doubtless have been obtained, for at 

 its bottom would, in my opinion, be found the perpendicular stratum forced up at the time of 

 eruption, elevating the softer strata into the two tlanking ridges which form the apices of the 

 larger and smaller elevations surmounting the hill. A few fraguients of granitoid rock |)icked 

 from among the debris indicate the probable character of this intermediate stratum, lu) oiitcro|)- 

 pings of which were, however, visible. The flanking portions, indeed, almost the entire visible 

 part of th« new formation, had evidently once formed the bottom perpendicular stratum, of wliich 

 latter Ship Rock is possibly an extension or more probably a foreruiinerT Photographs Nos. (5 and 7 

 show, respectively, the northwest end and southeast side of old Bogoslov. 



Upon the return of the Corwin from the Arctic next fall it is hoped an opportunity to revisit 

 this interesting spot, the scene of one of nature's curious freaks, will be afl'orded, so that a more 

 thorough examination may be made and changes noted. 

 Respect fully submitted. 



H. W. Yemans. 

 Assistant Surgeon, U. iS. Marine ilospilul Service. 



