The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-09
Saturdays Investigation of the
Ice Floe Waits.
Was the Separation Designed
or Accidental2
Captain Halls Death a Nat
ural One.
Necessity of Prompt Action to Res
cue the POlariS.

WASHINGTON, June s, 1873
The examination OF Sergeant Frederick Meyer. of
the Signal corps one OF the party rescued from the
ice-noe by the 1igris, was IN many respects more
important than that OF Captain Tyson. More time
was devoted to Meyer than to Tyson. 1t has
already been stated that both agreed that Captain
Hall was dellrious and his suspicious were only
spoken Of as accusations Of foul treatment made
WHEN OUT OF HIS MIND.
The testimony OF Joe, Hannah and Hans Chris
tian. given yesterday it has been ascertained, con-
firm the statement that Captain Halls death re-
suited from ordinary causes. but the separation Of
the Tyson party the Polaris is still unsatsfac
toriy explained. Both Tyson and Meyer testified
CAPTAIN BURLINGTON WAS DRUNK
at the time the order was given for them to leave
the ship, and the stores were precipltated on the
ice The engineer reported to Buddington that
the vessel was leaking badly and advised prepara-
tions for abandoning her. From that time there
was nothing but confusion on board. Neither
Tyson nor Meyer were liked by Buddington. The
former he regarded as supernumerary added to
the ship after her complement had been made up;
the LATTER belonging to the army, thought he was
not subject even to the Captains orders and was
INCEssANrLy INsUBoRDINATE
from the time the PolarIs left Disco to the separa-
ton. That these two persons, with Heron the
steward, who also did not have Captain BUDDING
TOMS friendship, and the inferior seamen, should
have formed the party, puzzles the Secretary and
the examiners assisting him.
On the other hand, it is known that before the
departure OF the Polars the child OF Joe and
Hannah was great favorite of Buddington's. So
much that she was allowed many privileges,
and was
TIE OBJECT OF DEVOTED ATTENTION
on the part of the sailing master. why she and
her parents and the wife OF Hans Christian, with a
helpless babe, should have been put or the vessel,
under the percmptory orders of Captain Budding
ton conf,ises the examiners In forming their opin-
ions. Before the expedition started, Captain Hail.
who was an advocate of total abstinence, made
compact with Buddington
NOT TO TOLERATE THE USE OF LIQUOR
of any kind on board the Polaris, and none was
allowed to be taken except such as was
purchased as medical stores and under the
immediate charge OF DR.. Bcssclls The
chests and private property OF the crew were care
fully examined before being slowed away, and
every precaution taken to have the agreement
strictly regarded. II is also asserted that Budding
ton was not man addicted to the use OF spritu-
liquors. even on shore, and never while at sea.
The shifting OF the last boat from the Poais to the
ice is regarded by Commodore Reynolds as evil
dence OF serious intention to abandon the vessel
but the testimony of Tyson and Meyer goes to show
that
TIE DISCIPLINE on THE VESSEL WAS VERY BAD
aud the precautions invariably taken to guard
against danger from ice packs were almost left
attended to. 1t was at first the impression OF the
examiners that the separation OF Tyson and his
party from the ship was accidental. The subse-
quent statements of the Esquimaux, however, dis
prove this belief Those to whom have been con-
flded the latest developments are of opinion the
Secretary should despatch vessel in search of the
Polaris without delay The friends Of Buddngton
Will insist upon it, while naval officers con-
slider 1t duty the Secretary owes to the service to
act promptly.
RELICS OF TIE DRIFT
The shot gun owned by Captain Hall, the May
nard rife and the Remington rifle used by the
party on the ice noe in killing seal ana bear to-
gether with the powder TASKS, nickcl-plated
shells for cartridges for the rifles and other relics
brought by the rescued party. Will be placed in the
Smithsonian Institute museum, side by side with
the Frobisher and Franklin relics brought home by
Captain Hall.
THE Kayak
is also on board the Froc, and was used to-day by
Joe in sailing about the vessel.
Tomorrow several OF the seanen will be ex-
amlned and by Tuesday it is thought the investi-
CATION will close. The written copy OF the testl-
mony will then be carefully considered by the
Secretary and his advisers, and an opinion formed
as to what 1t IA best should be done.