Photograph Album of the Cruise of the Revenue Cutter "Corwin" in Alaska, approximately 1881-1883
Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This photograph album illustrates the sights and peoples experienced during a voyage of the United States Revenue Cutter Thomas Corwin to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean during the early 1880s. There are many views of native (Inuit) villages and inhabitants in Alaska and coastal Siberia, along with scenery and seascapes. All photographs are accompanied by detailed manuscript captions by an unknown individual. Photographs depict Alaskan nature scenes and harbors; Inuit people, dwellings and villages; and documentation of the fur trade in the 19th century.
- Extent:
- 0.87 Linear Feet (36 photographs in 1 album; album 18 x 27 cm (7 x 11 in) + 1 preservation microfilm copy reel)
- Language:
- English.
- Preferred citation:
-
Photograph Album of the Cruise of the Revenue Cutter "Corwin" in Alaska. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album contains photographs that were taken during a voyage of the USRC Thomas Corwin to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean during the early 1880s. With images of the Inuit inhabitants including portraits; views of homes and villages; and the killing and skinning of seals. There are also views of non-Indian hunters and traders. The Inuit villages and dwellings illustrated are in Sitka, St. Michael, King's Island, and locations in Siberia. There is one view of an "Eskimo" [i.e. Inuit] grave at an unidentified location. The photograph album has the title "Scenes in Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. 1883" embossed on the front cover. An ink manuscript title page reads: "Cruise of the Revenue Cutter 'Corwin' 1881." All photographs are accompanied by detailed manuscript captions in ink by an unknown individual.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The USRC Thomas Corwin was a United States Revenue Cutter that patrolled the Arctic Ocean and Bearing Sea, beginning in the late 1870s. In 1882, Michael A. Healy (1839-1904) became commander of the Corwin, and he rose to the position of captain in March of 1883. While in command of the Corwin, Healy patrolled the Arctic to the prevent illegal sale of guns and alcohol to the Alaskan natives and to control illegal fur seal hunting. The captain was also concerned for the well-being of the Alaskan natives, and ferried Siberian caribou to help reestablish the natives' food supply, since many seals and walruses were killed by white traders.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased from Shorey Book Store (Seattle, Washington) in 1956.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Body piercing -- Photographs.
Corwin (Ship) -- Photographs.
Fur trade -- Alaska -- Photographs.
Graves -- Alaska -- Photographs.
Indians of North America -- Alaska -- Photographs.
Inuit -- Photographs.
Orthodox churches -- Photographs.
Russian Orthodox -- Photographs.
Sailing ships -- Photographs.
Whaling -- Photographs.
Photograph albums.
Photographs
Marine photographs. - Names:
- Healy, Michael A., 1839-1904.
- Places:
- Alaska -- Photographs.
Arctic Ocean -- Photographs.
Bering Sea -- Photographs.
Siberia (Russia)-- Photographs.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Terms of access:
-
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
-
Photograph Album of the Cruise of the Revenue Cutter "Corwin" in Alaska. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2129