THE EXPLORATION OF THE KOWAK RIVER, ALASKA. 



On the 2il of July, 18S5, the second expedition for the exploration of the Kowak River, 

 under the direction of Capt. M. A. Healy, commanding the U. S. revenue-cutter C'orwin. 

 left that vessel oft" Hotham Inlet, Alaska, and headed in towaixls the land. Fortunately the 

 sea was smooth and the boats of tiie expedition crossed the bar and reached a good harbor in 

 safety. 



In addition to the steam-launch of the Coririii, a native skin Ijoat, about tAventy-eight feet 

 in length, was procured to transj)ort our cam]) outfit and an extra supjdy of coal which we 

 brought along. We exx)ected to find at this place the Indians' rendezvous for their summer 

 trading, but none had as yet arrived, and we experienced some difficulty in getting a suitable 

 boat and an additional number of Indians to accomi)any us up the river. However, I induced 

 one man to forego tlie pleasures of the I'endezvous to go with us, and with a rickety apology for 

 a boat, loaded down to her rail with coal and stores, we started ujd Hotham Inlet toward the 

 mouth of the Kowak. A Itri.sk northwest wind sprang up and rapidly increased to half a gale 

 after we had fairly got started. Tlie conformation of the shore is such that no ]irotection can 

 be had for small l)oats with the Avind in this direction, and our only Iiojjb la_v in reaching the 

 mouth of the river before a heavy sea Avas made in the inlet. 



Our sail was hoi.sted and with the skin boat in toAV we sped aA\%ay, keeping as mui'h as jios- 

 sil)le under the high bluffs on the Avest side of the inlet. In rounding the jxiiuts Avhicli ])ro- 

 ject from this side of the bay, lioAveA'er, the deeidy loadetl boats Avere nearly SAvaniped, and our 

 Indians Avere A'ery mi;cli afraid that the old skin boat Avoidd be pulled to jtieces by lieiiig toAved 

 so fast. All hands were kept bailing, and the steam-launch was kept free of water Avitli the 

 aid of the steam-pump, steam being iised for this purpose only, and at ;3 o'clock a. m. of July .T 

 we reached a point opposite a mouth of the river Avhicli I explored last year, and bringing our 

 marks in I'ange, we made a bold dasli across the now rough inlet, and in a few moments found 

 ourselves safely between the Ioav green banks of the stream. No one had as yet had any sleep, 

 and I therefore arranged the party into tAvo watches, to relieA'e each other eveiy six hours, and 

 in this Avay avoided the necessity of stopping to camp. 



Before leaving San Francisco, several additions had been made to the launcdi, Avhich Avero 

 suggested by the experience of last year's work. Among them the most noticeable, as con- 

 tributing to the I'apid advance of the party, were the following : 



(1) A sheet-iron stove, made to fit in forAvard of the Ijoiler. 



(2) The enlargement of the fiirnace. 



(3) Au arrangement of the exhaust-])ipe by Avhich the feed Avater was heated before enter- 

 ing the boiler. 



In addition to these improA^ements, it may be noticed that the extra supply of coal l)rought 

 along saA'ed us the necessity of stop]tingto ciit wood. It will lie seen, therefore, that our outfit 

 Avas most complete and we Avere enabled to eat and sleep while advancing at the rate of seven 

 knots per hour. 



The loAver part of the riA^er being entirely free from obstnu^tions, and having but little cur- 

 rent, Ave made rapid progress, stopping once only, at an Indian settlement about thirt j' miles from 

 the mouth of the riA-er, to leave our mast and sails, a supply of coal and proA'ision-s, to form a 

 H. Ex. 153 4 25 



