The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-10
evening State Suaraal.
THE poLARIs INvEsrlaATIoN.
The Substance of the Testimony So
Far-1he Vessel Expected Home
This summer E. "
Washington Star, OF June 81

Inis summer. ..
Washington Star, OF June 81
Secretary Robson, after a short visit to
the navy department this morning, went to
the navy yard, where he resumed the in
vestigation into the Polaris disaster. He
expects to conclude it tomorrow afternoon,
but as much Of the evidence is to be writ
ten out from the short hand notes, it will
be several days before it will be ready
for publications. The secretary will
prepare his own report from the evidence,
which he will submit to the president,
and also give to the public.
The evidence of Captain Tyson
will be published in full with the re-
port. The investigation now is continued
for scientific purposes. principally, Prof.
Baird Of the Smithsonian Institute, taking
full notes of it. As to sending out steam
er to look for the Polaris, the secretary will
probably take no steps in that direction for
several months, as Captain Tyson and those
with him express the belief that she will be
home before the end of the summer. She
is now probably ice-bound, but in q few
weeks the breakup will commence in that
latitude, and she will then be enabled to
proceed on her homeward voyage, having
been turned in this direction after the death
of Captain Hall. When Captain Tyson
left the ship, there was an abundance of
provisions on board, and he had no fears
OF any suffering on account of scarcity of
food. True, the vessel was in somewhat
bad condition, but unless some further ac-
cident happened after the separation he
has no fears but that he will reach port.
Should nothing be heard Of her. however,
by August, the Secretary will fit out q
suitable vessel and start her in search Of
the Polaris. Captain Tyson's whole state
ment has been remarkably clear, and the
others fully corroborate his testimony,
Esquimaux Joe, especially, who has favor
ably impressed every one by his apparent
honesty and truthfulness. His narrative
of Captain Halls's illness and death given
in his own peculiar manner, as he is but lit
tic acquainted with the English language
or our customs, is very touching, and
shows how much he was attached to that
officer.
The Tallapoosa left here last night for
Maine with the Esquimaux families of Joe
and Hans on board for the colder climate
Of Maine, the hot weather here causing
them great suffering.
Secretary Robson expresses himself as
thoroughly satisfied, from the evidence Of
Captain Tyson, Esquimaux Joe and others,
that Captain Hall died natural death,
and that the unfortunate separation of the
Polaris from Tyson's party was purely ac-
ss7.- -
The investigation is conducted in the
large boat-house south of the Admiral's
Office, and is still held with closed doors.
The remainder of the ice foe party were
transferred from the Frolic to the storeship
Relief this morning, where they will re-
main until the investigation is concluded.
The Frolic left the navy yard at about two
o'clock this afternoon for New York.
Although there is no testimony of m uti-
ny on the Polaris, the evidence thus far
taken by Secretary Robson establishes the
fact that the dicipline on that vessel was not
by any means what it should have been.
Joe, the Esquimaux, states that be
drank of the coffee which, it is alleged,
made Captain Hall sick, and it had no effect
on him. s
Captain Tyson says the severe examina-
ton to which he has been subjected by
Secretary Robson was worse than being
on the ice foe.
The Remington rifle double-barrel shot
gun belonging to Captain Hall, with the
powder, pouches, and kyach or skin boat,
are to be placed on exhibition in the Smith
sonian Institute, side by side with the For
bisher and Franklin relics, which were
brought to this city by Captain Hall.