6 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



The repairs Imviiig been completed on the 4th of June, we left San Francisco at lu o'clock 

 that evening, and again stai'ted for the Aleutian Islands. 



We arrived at Ounalaska June 17. coaled and watered ship, and received on board one 

 bidarka (skin boat) for the use of the exjx'dition up the Noiitak River. 



The volcano of Bogosloff was visited Jiuie lit. The general ai)j)earance of the volcano is 

 not changed from that of a year ago, but its activity is somewhat lessened. The height of tlie 

 lower i^eak of New Bogosloff was ascertained to be four hundred and fifty feet above the sea- 

 level, and that of the higher peak estimated about seventy-five feet more, both peaks being 

 inaccessible on account of the steam and the fumes of sulphurous oxide in which they are en- 

 veloped. 



Cruising northward from Bogosloff, we touched at St. George's and St. Paul's Islands on 

 June 20, and at the latter place Second Lieutenant Benliam was detailed for duty on Otter Island 

 to relieve Third Lieutenant Cantwell. 



Mr. C. H. Townsend, naturalist of the Smithsonian Institution, who was at St. PaviFs 

 Island, requested that he be taken on board the Cone in for passage to the Arctic, to enable 

 him to make ichthyologicai and ornithological collections in that country. As that part of 

 the country was an entirely new field for a naturalist, and believing that Mr. Townsend's 

 labors would be of great value to science and of much interest to the pul)lic, I received him on 

 board to accompany Lieutenant Cantwell on his expedition up the Kowak River. 



We consulted with the Government agents on the islands and learned that no marauding 

 vessels had been seen in the vicinity up to that time. They also stated that the seals had com- 

 menced to haul up nil the islands, without any perceptible diminution from previous years. 



We remained in the vicinity of the seal ishuuls for several days; then continued our 

 cruise to the northward and eastward, touching at St. Michael's and (toIwIu Bay. 



At St. Michael's we took on board an Indian interpreter to accompany Lieutenant Cant- 

 well's exi)e<lition. Nothing had transpired at St. Michael's since last year which would require 

 our interference. The health of the white people was excellent, and the Indians were peace- 

 able and friendly. 



At Golwin Bay First Lieutenant Hall and Surgeon Yenians were dispatched to visit the 

 mining camp to ascertain the condition of the white men and Indians there, and to render 

 medical aid if such was required. Lieutenant Hall found but one man at the mine, Mr. 

 Mackey, who Jiad remained there all winter in order to make good the claim of the Golwin 

 Bay Mining Company. Mr. Mackey visited the vessel, and reported that the natives were 

 I^eaceful and that he had experienced no difficulty in getting along with them. He also 

 reported the mines as very rich, with an inexhaustible quantity of ore. The specimens which 

 have been assayed prove very rich, biit the result cannot as yet be foreseen. The company 

 liave been to considerable expense in working the mine, and have lost two vessels thus far. 

 A more thoroughly organized company, consisting of fifteen miners and superintendent, with 

 suitable supplies and ecjuipments for one year, arrived at the mine the day of our departure, 

 and from them better results are anticipated. The great distance of the mine from civilization 

 is a very decided disadvantage. The mine is situated on the Fish River, aboiit thirty miles 

 from the mouth, and the shallowness of the water makes it a matter of no little difficulty to 

 convey the ore from the mine to the vessel, which takes it to San Francisco for smelting. 



There are those who prophesy that the Indians will eventually molest the miners in their 

 operations. If any such difficulty does occiir, it will, I think, be brought about by some overt 

 act on their part, as the Indians are generally well-behaved and peaceable, and not unaccus- 

 tomed to mingling with white men. If there is any troi;ble it will be caused by the introduc- 

 tion of liquor among the Indians or the total disregard of their personal family rights, which, 

 in all Indian territory, the Avhites seem to ignore. 



After leaving Golwin Bay we touched at Sledge Island and King's Island, and on .June 27 

 anchored off oui' coaling station at Point S])eiicer. 



At Point Spencer we found tlie bark Wanderer and the schooner P(ir/('. both whaling 

 vessels, and also the schooner James A. Garfield, which brings supplies to a portion of the 

 Arctic whaling fleet. 



