Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-06
TINE CREW OF THE POLARIS.
ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER FRoLIC


lar sea, has passed into history as unparalleled
in the annals Of the frozen deep, arrived at the
navy yard at 20 o'clock yesterday on the iron
steam sloop of-war Frolic, G. M. Schoonmaker
commander.
The Froic left St. Johns, Newfoundland,
on Tuesday, May u, by order of the Secretary
of the Navy, charged with bringing the sur
vivors of the Pvlaris crew directly to Wash
lngton.
For few days past the vessel has been anx.
iousy looked for by the uavy-yard officials and
distinguished head Of the Navy Department,
| the latter official having taken deep interest
in arriving at complete and satisfactory Sc
qucl to the North Pole expedition of Captain
Hall, which left our navy yard three years ago.
| The commandapt of the navy-yard was directed
upon the arrival of the Frolic to have her
noored out in the stream between the two
buoys off the western ship-house, in order that
| no communication could be had with any per-
son on board until after the Government had
| heard the statements Of the survivors as
guide for official action.
The Froic rounded the Capes and entered
| the Chesapeake on Wednesday evening, after
| a boisterOus passage Of nine days. Much heavy
and tUggy weather was experienced, else her
we'll known speed would have brought her in a
day or two earlier. The survivors on board
| are: II. g. Tyson, assistant navigator; Frcder
! lex Meyer, mctcorologist; John Heron, stew
ard W. e. Kruger, seaman; Frederick Jamka,
seaman; William Nindemann, seaman; Fred
crick Autinig, seaman; Gustavus T. Linguist,
seaman; Peter Johnston, seaman; William
Jackson, cook; ESquimaux Joe, Interpreter;
Hannah and child, EsquimauX; Hans Christ
ian, Of Kanc's expedition; Hans Christians
wife and four children, the youngest only eight
months old. This party, which bad been land
cd from the Polaris, were driven from her by u
gale which burst her moorings on the 18th Of
last saw the Polaris she was under steam and
canvass, making for The harbor on the cast side
OF Northumberland island.
All Of the rescued party arc in excellent
health, though INDUCING in much speculation
regarding their visit to Washington. The Is
1uimaux women and children on board have
comfortable quarters in one of the after cabins,
while the remaining members Of the party are
comfortably cared for in the forward of the
vessel. The crew of the Frolic, together with
the survivors, crowded the upper decks and
lower ports, gazing anXiously toward shore
doubtless wondering how long they arc to be
kept "out in the stream" The impression has
gained ground among some Of the crew of the
Froc, who have mingled with the rescued
men, that Captain Hall is not dead, or at least,
if dead, the ''foc of icc'' party don't appear to
be very communicative about the details. 9th
crs contend that the stories of the desertion of
the ice party by the Poaris, and their roman
tic yet terrible cruise alter the separation does
not tally ia many particulars, while from what
little conversation has been had with them it is
evident that no discipline existed among the |
crew of the ill-fated vessel.
Immediately upon the 'heavng in sight" of
the auxiously -looked-for Frolic, word was tele
graphcd to the Secretary of the Navy. He
immediately visited her in company with Com
modorc Reynolds Chief of the Bureau Of
Equipment and Recruiting, and Capt. Brown,
Of the Signal Service, and Prots. Henry and
Baird. The party then drove to the navy
yard, arriving there at 3 o'clock p. m., and
were 5000 on board the TalIapoosa in company
with the Commandment Of the yard, Rear Ad- |
miral GolJsborough. Captain Schoonmakcr,
of the Frolic, was cordially received by the
Secretary and his associates. Captain Tyson,
the leader of the survivors, and undoubtedly
the soul Of the surviving party, was sunlmond
on board the Tallapoosa and after an interview
of nearly three hours, with the Secretary and
the gentlemen accompanying him, which was
of the most interesting character, he returned |
took place in the after cabin Of the vessel, the |
utmost care was taken lest an eavesdropper
should hear the particulars Of Captain Tyson's
story, and none of the crew were allowed to
pass abaft the wheel shaft. At o'clock the |
Secretary and his party left the yard. To-day |
other members of the surviving party will be
interviewed separately, and their statements |
will shortly be made public.
We learn that Tyson still sticks to the state
ment first made. In this statement, it will be |
remembered, he charges that Buddington, the |
sailing master of the Poaris, was great scoun- |
drcI, and declares that he purposely abanoned |
them to destruction.
Captain Tyson adhcrcs to his first statement
regarding the death of Captain Hall, which
was as follows:
Hall was sick fifteen days. At first he was
paralyzcd and then delirious. He was insensi-
bic when he died. On the 9Th OF November
he died, and was buried on the 18th. His |
grave bore south southeast, and about FIVE hun
drcd PAGES distant from the observatory in Po- |
laris bay, which was 10 latitude So So, longi |
tude 6l0 AZ, on shore. We erected o board |
over his grave, with an inscription cut, giving |
his name, age go years, date of death, and
command of the North Polar expedition All
hands, except the cook, attended his funeral.
via SdllOTS, WUOSc laCeS Ildu DCCu UioL ~
summer suns and frozen in Arctic seas, Wcpt |
aloud. Captain Hall was universally beloved,
and his death at time when the enterprise
promised so hopefully was felt by his survivors
to be an irretrievable loss.
The examination of the Esquimaux will
doubtless be more interesting than any of the
others, since it will be remembered that Joe
was the attendant of Captain Hall during his
sickness.
Hundreds of people will doubtless wend their
way to the yard with view Of getting look
at the survivors and the Esquimaux party, but
until the restriction to visit the Frolic is rcmov
ed and the vessel hauled alongside the wharf,
it is scarcely worth visit.
A BROKEN HEART Very few people be-
evc that ''hcartbrcak" is anything more than
fiction Of the poets, but IN Louisville the
oooe far IN shnu II is somctimns fact Two