CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 13 



On the return of the exi^editions to tlie Convin, the Indians who had accompanied Lieu- 

 tenant Cantwell and all the natives who had in any manner assisted the expeditions were remu- 

 nerated in Government trade goods, which had been taken up for tliat purpose. 



When we were at Hotliam Inlet, on the 4th (if August, we found about a thousand Indians 

 rendezvoused, having come from the interior antl from all along the coast, for the purpose of 

 bartering, and also to catch and dry salmon for their winter's use. This time, however, we 

 found very few Indians remaining in the vicinity, the greater part having returned to their 

 homes when their trading and lishing were ended. 



August :?8 we left Hotham Inlet, and at i o'clock that afternoon anclmrcd off Schismareft' 

 Inlet. Two of the officers of this vessel and f(jur of the officers of the wrecked wlialers went 

 ashore, ami about two hours were spent in hunting. 



Small feathered game in abundance was found at Schismarefl: Inlet, as at many other places 

 along the Arctic shore, the birds frequenting the vicinity of marslies or fresh-water ponds. 



We left Schismareft' Inlet on the return of the hunting party, passed Cape Prince of Wales 

 the following day,. and anchored oft' our coaling station at Point Si:)encer that evening. There 

 we coaled and watered ship, and sent all the crew on shore at the watering station to wash their 

 clothing. 



As that was the last time during the year that the coaling station would be visited by us, 

 the scow was hauled up on the beach above high-water mark, and that and everything belong- 

 ing to the Government made as secure as possible. 



The coal pile was carefully trimmed and measured, disclosing a deficit of about one hun- 

 dred and twenty tons. This discrepancy, with the ajjparent and probable causes thereof, was 

 made the subject of a letter by me to the Department, diagrams and measurements, made liy 

 Chief Engineer Kelly, having been forwarded at the same time. 



The watering station which was estal dished by us last year at Port Clarence has proved of 

 inestimable value, not only to us but also to that portion of tlie Arctic whaling fleet that ren- 

 dezvous at Point Spencer. Besides being free from all foreign or injurious matter, it is very 

 easy to obtain; -the stream runs down from the hills and emjities into a basin on the shore, 

 but a few feet above high-water mark. 



We left Point Spencer at midnight of September 1, the fog shutting down thick soon after 

 taking our departure. 



King's Island and Sledge were sighted in the fog, and at half past 8 on the morning of Sep- 

 tember 3 we anchored in Golwin Bay. 



First Lieutenant Hall and Surgeon Yemans were sent to visit the schooner Bonanza. 

 which was then loading ore that was sent down from the mine. On inquiry they ascertained 

 that the health of all the mining company was excellent, and that- the relations existing 

 between the miners and Indians were most friendly. Aside from this no information could be 

 obtained. On the subject of the mine or its prospective yield they were decidedly reticent, and 

 no amount of inquiry would reveal anything of importance. 



After the return of Lieutenant Hall and Surgeon Yemans we got under way and shaped 

 our course for St. Michael's. 



On our arrival there, Myuinck, the Indian interpreter, who had accompanied the Kowak 

 River expedition, was discharged and paid in Government trade goods and money, the latter 

 being advanced by the Alaska Commercial Company's agent, on an order on the collector of 

 customs at San Francisco. 



On the same, day H. T. Allen, second lieutenant U. S. A., and Mr. J. W. Garland, an Eng- 

 lish tourist, visited the vessel, and both made a request tliat transportation be given themselves 

 and their companions from St. Miclniel's to San Francisco on board the Cor nun. 



Lieutenant Allen's party consisted of Sergeant Cady Robinson, U. S. A., and Mr. F. W. 

 Fickett, of the United States Signal Service. They left Sitka in March last, and, acting under 

 orders from the War Department, ascended the Copper and Tannenak Rivers. After many 

 hardships they succeeded in exploring a portion of Alaska thart had never before been explored 

 or visited by white men, thereby accom]ilishing a feat which has hitherto been declared 

 impossible. Lieutenant Allen and his companions arrived at the Yukon River in time to take 



