Background Overland Relief Expedition

in 1892, government began project of importing reindeer siberia alaska, , teaching natives how raise animals in order have steady , dependable food supply. reindeer obtained captain michael healy, known , trusted siberian natives. sheldon jackson, general superintendent of alaska, used influence in united states congress raise funds purchase , care animals, , placed in overall charge of training herders.

the project started seventeen reindeer. 1892 1906, cutters cruise siberian coast , barter chukchi reindeer, transported station @ port clarence, near nome, alaska. in 1897, 8 whaling ships trapped in arctic ice field surrounding point barrow, northernmost point of alaska. owners of ships concerned 265 men of ships crews starve during winter. appealed president william mckinley send relief expedition. mckinley asked united states treasury department organize expedition, , sent usrc bear, returned bering sea patrol, undertake expedition.