we sighted the point [Barrow] on the afternoon of September 8 [in 1881], and came to anchor about one mile to the northeast of Cape Smythe, thus successfully accomplishing the first and most important stage of our work.

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Phecda (Wikipedia) Phecda /ˈfɛkdə/, also called Gamma Ursae Majoris (γ Ursae Majoris, abbreviated Gamma UMa, γ UMa), is a star in the constellation of Ursa Major. Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified. Based upon parallax measurements with the Hipparcos astrometry satellite, it is located at distance of around 83.2 light-years (25.5 parsecs) from the Sun.

Report of the International polar expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, in response to the resolution of the [U.S.] House of representatives of December 11, 1884 (archive.org) The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives the report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, together with the letter of the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, of this date, submitting the report to this Department, the same being furnished in response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of December 11, 1884, as follows : “Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to transmit to the House of Representatives, if not inconsistent with the public service, the report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, by Lieut. P. H. Ray, U. S. Army, for the years 1881, 1882, and 1883.” ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.