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December 20th 1934 Captain S.T.L.Whitlam U.S.S. North Star 441 Federal Office Bldg. Seattle, Washington Dear Captain Whitlam:- Your very informative letter has just come to hand. I am most grateful to you. It gives me important information that I have not been able to get elsewhere. I have been working with a naval architect and have had prepared detailed drawings which, to my deep satisfaction, conform almost entirely with your suggestions. I was just ready to mail those to Commander Dempwolf, Commander Coast Guard, Seattle Division, whose office by good chance is 550 Federal Office Building. I have placed a postscript to his letter asking that you be given opportunity to examine these if it will not trouble you too much. Your suggestions will be deeply appreciated. As I get deeper into my plans, I find that my cruise will be one of exploration as well as of research, and mishaps on such ventures are practically always due to inadequate preparation. So far I have come thru as safely as though crossing Fifth Avenue, and this territory must not be my downfall if proper planning can prevent it. First, may I make clear the region to be studied? We plan to go down the River from Bethel visiting the east side as far as Kwinak & Arolik, then cross the basin to the peninsula and visit the settlements to the west as far as perhaps the Kinak River or the Arolik, then gradually working back toward Bethel exploring the rivers in search of native villages in the tundra region. If all goes well this year we shall plan to return the following summer and work up to Nelson Island, Hooper Bay, and crossing Nunivak Islands if practicable. I have, tentatively, selected a light motor of medium high speed, direct drive. It is a 4 cylinder Lycoming, weighing 390 lbs. developing 35 to 40 h.p. at about 2000 revs. I have been advised to send gas and oil from Seattle. It will burn about 2 1/2 gals. per hour making 10 knots. To me this is satisfactory mileage. We have planned for a solid shaft inasmuch as the tunnel stern and strong bronze skeg will fully protect it. I plan, also, to take a 4 cylinder, 25 h.p. outboard for emergency. I shall take two extra propellers and an extra shaft. Commander Dempwolf spoke of picking up a used boat in Seattle as a means of economy. This, naturally, appeals to me provided the requirements can by fully met. In your opinion, would it be at all feasible to make Etolin my starting point for this year and doing Hooper Bay, Nelson Island and such rivers as the time would allow this summer, and lay my boat up at Bethel for next winter? This may be an important decision for me to make because of transportation. I shall not be able to leave New York until June 15th and the Tupper leaves Seattle May 10th. I prefer to avoid flying from Anchorage to Bethel because of the expense involved. I do hope I am not troubling you too much; some day I expect we shall meet and possibly I can show my appreciation in a tangible way. With the Season's Greetings, Yours very truly L.M. Waugh Professor of Dentistry Director Orthodontic Clinic LMW.J
