The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-06
Secretary Robson at the Head Of
asA @t the Board. ss x
Tyson Interrogated in the Cabin Of
.:ss the TalIapOosa.
Gradual Recital Of the History Of the
,,ggta 81 o Expedition. i
NAVY DEPARTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Esquimaux and the Crew to
W. ra-s Answer" Next.

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The United States steamer Frolic, Lieutenant
Commander Sohoonmaker commanding, eight days
ofrom St. Johns Newfoundland, having on board Cap
tain Tyson and others of the Polaris crew. arrived
or the Navy Yard this afternoon at quarter past
one, and dropped anchor 100 yards from shore, just
astern OF the Tallapoosa. The Froic passed in last
evening and stopped at Kettle shoals ffty miles
above Fortress Monroe, continuing the voyage this
morning. The Secretary OF the Navy had issued
orders that no one should be allowed to board the
Frolc, nor should any OF the Polaris party be
permitted to 60 ashore without his orders.
Il THE BLACK sIDEwHEEL STEAMER,
not an entire stranger in these waters, became at
once the special object of attraction. AS soon as
1t was known who were on board an anxious
crowd lined the wharf, closely watching the move
ments OF everybody on deck. expecting to get
glimpse OF the Esquimaux or the wonderful baby.
Commander Schoonmaker reported to the Com
mandantof the Yard that he arrived under orders.
SECRETARY ROBSON WANTS IMMEDIATE lNvEsTIGA-
e TION.
Secretary Robson was informed by messenger
az two O'Clock, and without moments delay he
sent word to Captain Howgate, Of the Signal Ser
vice Bureau; Commodore Reynolds, Chief Of the
Bureau OF Equipment and Recruiting, and Professor
Spencer F. Baird, OF the Smithsonian Institute,
that 1t was his desire to begin the examination OF
quested them to accompany him to the Navy Yard
to assist him. The party was further strengthened
by the venerable Mr.. Rockwell Professor Baird's
stenographer. The Secretary equipped himself
with his annual report for 1871. containing jail
the instructions to Captain Hall and his party
in reference to the expedition toward the
North Pole, copies OF the HERALD contain
ing the full account OF Captain Tyson's
arrival ct st. Johns, and the subsequent inter-
views with other members OF the party, which
were to serve as q guide in the investigation. and
q copy OF gazetteer Professor Baird selected
from his stock Of maps such he thought would
best enable the Secretary to trace the progress OF
the Polaris including that OF DR.. Hayes; Professor
U
meteoroloey. while Commodore Reynolds furnished
thirty years. experience an officer OF the navy.
TAKING POSSESSION OF THE rALLAPoosA.
The Tallapoosa, under the command OF Leuten-
ant David @. McRtchie, was at the wharf, and hav-
ing spacious cabin was selected as the best place
for the examination. At three O'Clock Captain
Tyson. accompanied By Commander Scoonmaker,
came on board, and was introduced to the Secre-
tary and his scientific friends. The maps were nm.
rolled, the Navy Report full OF marks
laid on the table. and the HERALD folded
In q convenient manner for ready reference.
Secretary Robson prefaced the work with an
explanation Of what he desired to get from Captain
Tyson. He said the government had fitted
out the Polaris at great expense, and
as 1t was uncertain whether she would
ever be heard rom It was his duty to ascertain as
far AZ possible the results OF the expedition up TO
the time of the separation OF Captain Tyson and
made In the trip northward-in word, whatever
would contribute to the knowledge OF the Depart.
ment relating to the object for which the Poiaris
was sent out.
BEGINNING THE RECITAL.
Captain Tyson was then requested to narrate
everything which came under his notice, from the
departure OF the Polaris from New YORK to the
time OF his separation from her. Captain Tyson
is exceedingly reticent His career has been that
Of sailor, and but little progress was made dur
ho fret hour flor thof ha haco a.
more communicative, and as he progressed J
in the details Of the voyage northward his
statement was interesting, particularly to Pro-
lessor Baird, who drew out the character Of the
animals and natural growth in the frigid climate
through which the expedition passed.
TYSON TRACING THE NoRrHwARD COURSE.
Here the maps were laid before Tyson, and he
traced, well as he could the course OF the Poarls
beyond the boundaries laid down by the geogra-
piers on the maps extant. The examination con.
tinued until ten minutes after SIX wishout having
elected anything OF special impo ftance. The
groundwork for q more thorough examination
was gained for the continuation OF it tomorrow,
and Captain Tyson will be assisted by suggestive
questions based on the general instructions pre-
pared by the Smithsonian Institute. Nothing was
said respecting the death Of Captain Hall or how
he became separated from the Polaris, az the Sec
rotary stated In beginning. the irst object Of
the government was TO aggregate all the
facts having any bearing upon the purpose
for which the expedition was sent out. The secre
tary will endeavor to ascertain all relating to the
death Of Captain Hall and the separation OF Tyson
and his party from the ship; in fact, he wi as far
as possible, connect this with the history Of the
expedition.
After the Secretary and mis- party had retired
your correspondent was welcomed BY Lieutenant