Journal I : Expedition to Glacier Bay, Alaska, Summer 1890

September 15th

Monday. We were up by daylight this morning and started at 6:15. The sky was overcast and the rain sprinkled occasionally so that we kept our oilskins in readiness. McBride and I went in the large canoe, Adams Morse in the small canoe and Adams in the boat. The wind proved favorable tho' light, the water was smooth and we made very good progress, sailing part of the time. We went thro' the [Bearslide?] Islands, low moraine islands, many thickly wooded, and so close together that we the water ways between them looked like channels. Great numbers of cormorants, gulls and ducks flew up at our approach. We reached Bartlett Bay at one o'clock, coming upon it quite unexpectedly. It is not on the mainland as given in the chart but on an island. Mr. Johnston received us; our first question was about the Topeka and we were delighted to find that she had not arrived.

The cannery is situated a long frame building about 200 ft long; almost all the work is done on the ground floor. There are two or three several other small buildings for the store, diving [MS illegible] and kitchen, sleeping houses, blacksmith shop etc.; a larger house for the chinese who are employed here and a number of Indian log cabins. The surroundings are pretty, but it must be a dreary place to stay in.

Mr Johnston assigned us the upper story of the cannery as our sleeping apartments, and we carried our blankets and other necessities up there, leaving our boxes on a raft. We watch continually for the steamer. (The whole place smells of fish.) The steamers do not always call here, and Mr. Johnston does not think she will necessarily call this trip; but as Capt. Wallace told me he would, I think there can scarcely be a doubt of it.

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