stefansson-wrangel-09-25-005-012

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captain where they were going, for he would not sail otherwise. The project
up to that time had been so mysterious that it appears no one in Nome believed
them when they announced Wrangell as their destination. The story had got
abroad that on our previous expedition we had discovered gold somewhere to
the east of Point Barrow and the popular view remained, in consequence, that
the journey was headed east. But they did sail straight for Wrangell Island
September 9th and got there on the 15th without seeing a piece of ice on the
way. The schooner was in so much hurry to return that there was time only
for very brief letters after the party landed. I quote Crawford under dates
of September 15th and 16th, 1921:

"(Wrangell Island) resembles in outline and color the
country around Lewiston, Idaho. There is snow on the highest hills (only).
Have as yet seen not a single ice cake . . . . Finished unloading 11 P.M.
Raised flag and issued proclamation of which I enclose two copies (reaffirm-
ing British rights). Next year bring a phonograph and records, as we had no
time to get one . . . . Fox and bear tracks abundant. Also bring Literary
Digest, an assay outfit and explanatory books - may be placer gold . . .
Lots of grazing for reindeer. Everyone seems very contented."

In another part of the letter Crawford calls attention
to the grocery and hardware bills which he is sending to our office and which
will show how much food they have taken and will indicate what we ought to
send in or omit next year. But it is interesting that the only three things
he specifically asks us to send to Wrangell next year are a phonograph, the
Literary Digest and an assay outfit.

Knight's comments on Wrangell Island were to the effect
that game signs were very abundant, driftwood plentiful, beautiful grass-
lands sloping away from the beach, the weather milder than he had expected
for that season of the year (September 15th) with daily sunshine and snow