The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume X, No. 6 [‎119r] (90/186)

THE TOPOGRAPHICAL WORK OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 629
In 1887 Mr. McConnell surveyed the Liard river, from the mouth of the Dease
to the Mackenzie, and the lower portion of Hay river. In the winter of 1887-88
track surveys were made from Fort Providence northward to Fort Rae, and south
ward to Lake Bischo. In 1888, as Mr. Ogilvie had been instructed to make a
micrometer survey of the Mackenzie river and Peel river portage, a sketch traverse
of the river and mountain features only was made of this portion of the route. A
detailed running survey was made of the Porcupine river from the mouth of Bell’s
river to the Yukon. In 1889 and 1890 Mr. McConnell made track surveys of the
route between the Peace and Athabasca rivers by the Pelican, Loon, and Wabiskaw
rivers, 400 miles; of the Red river from its mouth upward for 200 miles; of the
trials to the Buffalo-head hills and Trout lakes, and of the tributaries of the
Athabasca below Fort McMurray. In 1892 Messrs. Tyrrell and Dowling made
traverses of the Beaver, Mudjatick, Cree, Black, Geikie, and Whitefish rivers, of
Black and Reindeer lakes, and of the south shores of Athabasca and Wollaston
lakes. Distances were estimated, except on lakes and quiet reaches, which were
surveyed with boat-log. They also made micrometer surveys of Black and Deer
rivers, and of the Churchill between the mouth of Deer river and Frog portage.
In 1893 and 1894 Mr. J. B. Tyrrell made exploratory surveys in the “ Barren
Lands.” In 1893, with Mr. J. W. Tyrrell as topographer, he made a traverse from
Lake Athabasca to Hudson Bay. A survey of the north shore of Lake Athabasca
from Chipewyan to Fond du Lac One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees was made with boat-log and solar compass. From
Black lake the survey was carried by the Chipman and Dubaunt rivers to the
head of Chesterfield inlet, 905 miles. Of this distance 290 miles were on rivers,
where the distances were estimated, and 615 miles were through lakes, where the
distances were measured with a boat-log, and bearings taken with solar or prismatic
compass. As the tides prevented the use of the log with any degree of accuracy,
the traverse of Chesterfield inlet and west coast of Hudson bay to lat. 61° 32',
where the severity of the weather compelled the abandonment of the survey, was
a time survey. A similar survey was made of the 200 miles between Fort Churchill
and York.
In 1894 Mr. J. B. Tyrrell carried another traverse from Du Brochet post on
Reindeer lake by the Cochrane, Thlewiaza, and Kagan rivers to lat. 63° 7', thence
eastward by chain of lakes and the Ferguson river to Hudson bay, 815 miles.
From the point at which he abandoned his survey the previous year, he continued
it southward to Churchill. A time survey was made of the route between Churchill
and Gull lake. Total distance surveyed in 1893 and 1894, 2900 miles, of which
1073 miles were log, 1312 track in canoes, and 515 part track survey on foot and
part pacing. The distances thus obtained were checked by numerous observations
for latitude.
British Columbia. —In 1871 Mr. Richardson made paced surveys of roads in
the country between Yale and Quesnel, aggregating 428 miles. From 1872 to 1874
he was surveying stream trails and exploration lines in the Comox and Nanaimo
coalfield. In 1875 Dr. Selwyn made a time survey of the trail from Quesnel to
McLeod’s lake, of the canoe-route from McLeod’s lake by the Pack, Parsnip, and
Peace rivers to Smoky river forks, and of Pine river from the “forks” to its
mouth. During 1875 and 1876 Dr. Dawson surveyed trails, lakes, and streams in
the country between the Fraser river and the coast range on the east and west, and
Bella Coola valley and Francois lake on the south and north respectively. In 1878
Dr. Dawson surveyed the islands, channels, and inlets of the north and east coasts
of the Queen Charlotte islands. In 1879 Dr. Dawson made a traverse from the
Skeena river to Edmonton. From Hazelton the survey was carried by the trail
from Hazelton to McLeod’s lake, thence by the valley of the Parsnip and the Pine
No. VI. —December, 1897.] 2 u