222 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



Washington, April 21, 1881. 

 Capt. C. L. Hooper, Commanding Revenue Steamer Corwin, San Francisco, CaL: 



Sir, — The Department having determined to despatch the Revenue Steamer 

 Corwin under your command to cruise in the waters of Alaska for the enforce- 

 ment of the provisions of law and protection of the interests of the government 

 on the seal islands and the sea otter hunting grounds and Alaska generally, you 

 are directed to take on board that vessel without delay supplies of provisions for 

 a six months' cruise, and sufficient quantities of fuel. and water, and leave San 

 Francisco with your command not later than the ist proximo for the waters named 

 and make the best of your way to the places hereinafter designated. It is desir- 

 able that you should be in Behring Sea and the Arctic Ocean as early in the sea- 

 son as the opening of navigation will permit. You will accordingly proceed from 

 San Francisco direct to Ounalaska and on arrival there will take in a fresh supply 

 of coal. From this point you will proceed to the Arctic Ocean, touching at the 

 Seal Islands and at St. Michael's, if practicable, on your way. You will leave 

 an officer and two men on Otter Island for the purpose of protecting the seals 

 there, unless, after conferring with the special agent in charge of the Seal Islands, 

 you should deem it necessary to take all your command with you in your further 

 cruise to the northward. Should you enter Norton Sound, it is expected you will 

 time the movements of your vessel, so as to arrive in those waters before Behring 

 Straits are open for the passage of vessels. Following the instructions for your 

 cruise of last year, governing the illicit traffic with the natives by unauthorized 

 parties, in fire-arms, ammunition and distilled spirits, you will use your utmost 

 endeavors to apprehend any vessels you may find engaged in such illicit traffic 

 and break up their illegal trade. 



No information having been received concerning the fate of the whalers, Mt, 

 Wollaston and Vigilant, you will bear in mind the instructions for your cruise of 

 last year, and it is hoped you may bring back some tidings of the missing vessels. 



You are further instructed, while in the Arctic, to make careful inquiries re- 

 garding the progress and whereabouts of the steamer Jeannette, engaged in mak- 

 ing explorations under the command of Lieutenant Commander be Long, U. S. 

 N., and you will, if practicable, communicate with, and extend any needed assis- 

 tance to, that vessel. 



Should you be able to accomplish your mission in the Arctic Ocean early in 

 the season, or find it necessary in carrying out these instructions to return to the 

 Seal Islands before the usual time (say October loth), for the return of the Rev- 

 enue Steamer from those waters, you will make a cruise to the westward from 

 Ounalaska as far as Alton, with the general object of protecting the sea otter in 

 hunting grounds and breaking up the business of the illicit traders. You will, in 

 your season's cruise, touch at such places as may be practicable on the main land 

 or islands where there are settlements of natives, and examine into and report 

 upon their condition. 



