New-York tribune., 1873-06-20
THE POLARIS MYSTERY.


CAPT HALLS DEATH-ExPERIENCEs OF THE W.T.
NEssEs-sCENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE EHPEpi-
TION-THE OPEN POLAR sEA-A COPY OF CAPI
HALLS DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-The following arc
the reports of the investigation of the Secre-
tary of the Navy regarding the Polaris matter
SECRETARY RoBEsoN's REPORT.
: NAVY DEPARTMENT. WAsHISGToS, ID. c., June H. '73
To THE PREsIDENr-Sir: On receiving infornna-
ton of the arrival Of the rescued portion OF the
crew of the Polaris at St. john y. F., determined,
in the absence Of direct regular communication with
that por TO send as has been before reported TO you
the United States steamer Froic, then lying at New
York to hiring them to the United States. As
it was obviously proper, in view OF the prompt
and responsible action which might be re-
auired that the Government should as soon as
possible be in possession of the fullest and most re-
liable information upon all the circumstances OF the
case the Frolic was directed to bring directly to
Washington all the persons having personal knoWI-
edge on the subject. On their arrival here. 10 the
end that their knowledge might be accurately and
fully elected, judged Of and preserved, not only for
the guidance of the Government but for the benefit
of science and the information Of the world. asso-
ciated with myself for their examination COmmo-
dore VIM. Reynolds U. S. ~, the senior officer OF
the Navy Department himself an old explorers;
Prof Spencer II. Baird of the Smithsonian 1nstitu-
.tion, a distinguished scientist and member Of tho
National Academy, who had taken great interest In
the expedition and prepared some of the scientific
instruments of it; and Capt II. w. How
gate Of the Army Signal Service, from which
corps Mr.. Meyer had been detailed as meteor
ologist of the expedition. In the course Of the
examination which occupied six days, we have taken
separately and fully, upon all the points involved
upon which they had or profCssed to have knowl-
edge the statement and examination of each adult
individual of the party who could understand OF
speak any English, including all Of the persons res
cued excepting the wife of Hans Christian and tho
children. .
These statements and examinations were care
fully taken down in short hand at the time. and arc
now. together with the diaries kept by some Of tho
Marty on the sea and diary Of the cruise of the
Polaris kept in German by Hermann semOns one Of
the seamen rema,1ing on board, and picked up on
the ice after the separation from tho ship,
being rapidly printed, the bulk OF them
already in type detailed statement OF
the results arrived at Will be found
in the report signed by myself and all the gentle
men associated with me- which is herewith inclosed,
and to which is annexed copy Of the last dispatch
of Capt Hail. made from what is apparently tho
original draft in his own handwriting found among
his personal papers in his wTting-desk, which was
preserved on the ice by the Esquimaux Joe, and by
him delivered to me in the presence of the Board.
1t is accompanied also by an outline map pre-
pared by Mr. Meyer, giving a general outline of
tho geographical results. This report Is made
directly TO yourself, as the person under whose
orders the expedition was organized; and l have
myself signed it, concurring as do IN all ITS state
ments and conclusions In some Of the testimony
fot, ar,fa Of faata
and several strong expressions Of feeling on the part
Of some of the witnesses against the officer
naming in command of the ship after tho
death of Capt. Hall. These feel great reuc-
tance to publish while the person referred to
is absent i'm the discharge of dangerous and response
bic duty, but am constrained to believe that It IL
better for him, and will be more satisfactory to hs
friends. "a well as 10 the friends of those still on
board Of the Poars, that they should be publi,hed
"a they were given rather than that their sup
preston should be made the foundation of seusa-
tional and alarming reports in degree justified by
the real facts It must, however, be clearly under
stood that in permitting this publication,
the Department neither makes de-
clares any judgment against Mr. Bud
dncton. who is still absent in the midst
of dangers and has opportunity fordefense or e1
planation. The facts show that though he per-
the expedition, and at times grossly lax in disci-
pline. and though he differed in judgment from the
others as to the possibility safety, and proprety OF
taking the ship further north. yet he is an expert
enced and careful navigator and when not affected
by liduor Of which there remained none on board at
the time of the separation, safe and competent
commander.
RELIEF or THE POLARGs.
concur fully in the statement of the report "a TO
the probable condition and situation Of the ship
and the propriety of taking prompt measures for her
efficient .relef. Such relief can only be afforded
safely and surely by means of an expedition pre-
pared to encounter the dangers of the Arctic circle
in q ship adapted for the purpose and built and fit
ted to contend with large bodies of ice. 1t is
known that there is no such ship ready at
hand in either our naval or merchant service. In
deed it is believed that there none such in exist
ence. except among the sealing feet OF NewfOund-
land vessel of this deet, sailing they do under
foreign register can only be used for the purpose
of an expedition organized and sailing under our
own flag by being purchased and put in commission
bv the Navy Department In view of all these facts,
and the further and pressing consideration that
any measures of relief to be efficient must
be taken 81 once, l have already begun TO
carry out the suggestions OF tho Board by
giving preparatory orders to the United States
steamer Junlata, now AT Nt"-loIk, 10 proceed at
the earliest practicable moment to Disco, and, If
possible to Upernayik, for the purpose of carry
ing forward the necessary coal aud supplies COM
with the authorities of Greenland, OBJ
tanning information, aud if practicable send for
ward some word Of encouragement to those on
hoard tho Poars. This last will most likely bo
impcssible. but we will not fail to attempt il. also
propose 10 fit ont at once an expedition of relief
TO be sent 10 Northumberland Island, where tho
Polaris was last seen, in the Tigress, sealing
lanunor of the heet rnferred To- of ahnnt 300 tons