U. S. ARCTIC COLONIZATION AND EXPLORATION IN 1881. 221 



the vessel itself was not seen. Since that date nothing is known of either v essel 

 or crew, but there appears to be no valid reason for doubting their safety. 



After leaving San Francisco, De Long wrote under date of July 17, 1879, 

 " In the event of disaster, we shall retreat upon the Siberian settlements or en- 

 deavor to reach natives around East Cape, and wait for a chance to get back to 

 our depot at Saint Michael's. If a relief ship comes up to merely obtain tidings 

 of us, let her look farther on the east side of Wrangel Land, and on Herald Island. 

 If I find we are being carried eastward, against our efforts to get north, I shall try 

 to push through into the Atlantic by way of the east coast of Greenland, if we 

 are far enough north ; but if we are far south, then by way of Lancaster Sound 

 and Melville Bay." 



Captain De Long wrote to his wife at sea, under date of August 17, 1879, 

 that he proposed to proceed north by the way of the east coast of Wrangel Land, 

 touching at Herald Island, where he should build a cairn and leave records, 

 thence landing on Wrangel Land, he should leave records on its eastern coast 

 under cairns at about twenty-five miles apart. 



In this connection the following letter from Lieutenant De Long will be of 

 interest : 



Arctic Steamer "Jeannette," 

 At Sea, Lat. 49° 24' N., Long. 152° 37' W. 



Capt. H. W. Howgate, U. S. A., Washington, D. C: 



My Dear Sir, — Until now, I have had no chance to supplement my tele- 

 graphic thanks for your generous contribution of fur clothing, by a word in writ- 

 ing. I desire to thank you in behalf, not only for myself, but of Mr. James 

 Gordon Bennett, who authorized me to accept them for the expedition with his 

 thanks. 



Should we meet next year among the floes of the Arctic, we shall be only 

 too glad to share not only your clothing but our food with our brethren of the 

 Army, and to unite our energies with theirs in planting our flag at least one stage 

 nearer the Pole. Very sincerely yours, 



(Signed), George W. De Long, 



Lieut. Commanding. 



THE " CORWIN " expedition. 



Last year, the Revenue Cutter " Corwin," Captain Hooper commanding, 

 was sent by the Treasury Department on a cruise in Behring Sea and the Arctic 

 Ocean, to search for traces of two missing whalers, the Vigilant and Mt. Wollas- 

 ton, and incidentally for news of the "Jeannette." Capt. Hooper failed in the 

 principal objects of his mission, but did such excellent work that the Depart- 

 ment determined to send him again this year. 



The following is a copy of the instructions forwarded to Capt. Hooper : 



