Letter from Allan R. Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 15 September 1921

Sept. 15th 1921 5:30 PM.

Dear Mr. Stefannson. Off Wrangel Island

Commencing this letter 1/2 mi. off shore. Isl Left Nome Sept 9 th . Called East Cape Siberia to buy to purchase skin boat. Sighted island noon yesterday. Resembles country in outline & color country round Lewiston Idaho. Large flat spaces n near coast but seems to be mostly hilly. Snow on highest of hills looks like this years. Have as yet seen not an a single ice cake.

6 P.M.

Stopped - don't think this is Rodger's harbour Maurer is uncertian. Started unloading. Have been very quiet about our business here since it appears the Russians claim the island think they own the island & their Siberian Patrol is liable to pay us an unwelcome visit. Finished unloading 11 P.M. came aboard for meal & wrote till midnight up again 2.45 breakfast ashore then ashore & raised flag & issued proclamation of which I enclose two copies. Next year bring a phonograph ^& records^ as we had no time to get one. Mr. aylor ^ Anderson ^ has copies of grocery & hardware bill so you can see what we lack. At present we are one mi. west Rodger's Harbour. Fox & bear tracks abundant also bring Literary Digest, assay outfit & explanatory books - maybe placer gold. We have esk. woman Ada Blackjack with us to sew. Lots of grazing for reindeer Everyone seems very contented. Best of luck on European trip. Call on my people if in Toronto.

Allan Crawford