i 4 6 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



The Jeannette left San Francisco on the 8th July 

 1879. A schooner, laden with 100 tons coal and such 

 provisions as the Jeannette could not conveniently carry, 

 followed on the same date. 



Ounalaska Island was reached on the 2nd August, and 

 left on the 6th. Here, coal, dog-food, and furs were 

 obtained. De Long mentions that there was not a white 

 woman in the place. The native women evidently do 

 not expect a long courtship. A number of men had 

 been brought from St. Paul's Island on the Thursday; 

 they made their selections on the Friday and Saturday, 

 and were married on 'the Sunday. 



St. Michael's was reached on 12th August, but the 

 schooner did not arrive until the 18th. Here, forty dogs, 

 five sledges, snow-shoes, boots, and a large quantity of 

 skin - garments were obtained. Two natives, named 

 Alexey and Aneguin, were hired as interpreters and dog- 

 drivers. The total number of persons on board the 

 Jeannette was now thirty-three. 



De Long had been instructed to make inquiries con- 

 cerning Professor Nordenskjold, who had nearly reached 

 Behring Strait in making his famous north-east passage 

 during the previous year. For this purpose he left 

 St. Michael's on 21st August, and made for St. Lawrence 

 Bay, Siberia, which he reached on the 25th, after a stormy 

 passage. Here he ascertained that a ship which had been 

 frozen in during the previous winter in Koliutchin Bay, 

 had left St. Lawrence Bay some time before. De Long 

 believed that this must have been Nordenskj old's ship, 

 but to make certain he decided to make inquiries near 

 where the Professor wintered. He visited Koliutchin Bay, 

 and found satisfactory proof that Nordenskjold had 

 wintered there, and had left in safety. It was now the 

 31st August, and De Long was free to continue his 

 voyage to the north, but unfortunately the navigation 



