The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-14
Instructions Of the Secretary Of the Navy
Regarding the Rescued Explorers.
What He Thinks About
the Expedition.
REAR ADMIRAL RODGERS VIEWS.
The Consequences OF Getting
Nipped by Ice.

WASHINGTON, May IS, 1873.
Secretary Robson to-day teegraphed the United
States Consul at st. Johns to instruct Captain
Tyson to keep his men together, provide for them
amply and see that they do not want for anythings
1t Ia his purpose to send either the Juniata on
Frollc, now ut New York, to st. Johns without de-
lay to bring oil OF the rescued to Washington. He
has no idea there has been any trouble on board
the Polaris more than is incidental to every Arctic
expedition, where men who are not discipline0
seamen have charge OF the vessel.
He attaches no Importance to the opinions freelD
expressed by prominent navigators that there
must have been
MUTINy, DISSATISFACTION OR INSTRUMENTATION.
Respecting the Polaris she was the best vessel in
the Judgment Of Captain Han, the navy mad for
such an expedition, and was selected by himself
having as he did the privilege OF selecting any
other.
The duty of fitting her for the voyage was ems
trusted to Naval Constructor Delano, one OF thei
best OF his class In the government service, and the
Secretary ordered that neither pains nor expenses
should be spared in equipping the Polaris Captains
Hall was
SELECTED TO COMMAND THE VESSEL
because he got the appropriation through, and u
he succeeded In reaching the point reported ne
has achieved what other explorer ever did.
Secretary Robson would not be surprised II Cap
tain Buddington renamed in the Arctic waters, ana
if the vessel Is in sea-gong order attempt himself
to return northward.
Your correspondent to-day called on Rear Ad-
miral John Rodgers, President OF the Board OF Ex-
amners at the Navy Department, and who COM
manded the expedition which went as far north ~
seventy three degrees, via Behring Straits, IN
1854. The Vincennes, the vessel In which he saileds
was not fitted out for this WORK, but being on a
curry avin n " ha nann tad
he could with the supplies he had. In reference
to the Polarls he said, ''From what have read
have no reason to apprehend any danger to the
Polaris 1t is customary
WHEN VESSELS ARE WIPED
or in dangerous condition in the ice to transfer
as much of the cargo to the ice as possible. This
ghtens the vessel and makes her less liable to re-
ceive injury. II the danger passes the stores are
put back but II the vessel to be abandoned then
the provisions and supplies are at hand
TO ENABLE THE CREW TO ESCAPE
From the account published in the HERALD the
Polaris was nipped and leaking, and as a matter
OF precautiOn and custom the stores were landed
/ Judge it is very unusual under such circum-
stances to have the vessel driven or as the PoIaria
seems to have been, but this sometimes happens
THE VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN TYSON AND THE RESCUED
is unparalleled but gives no reason to suspect tho
honesty OF purpose Of those separated from the
ii
any unfair play, has been attributed by some, q
Cross-examin8tion even by an inexperienced per.
son would lead to the discovery OF the truth"
At the session OF the Cabinet to-day the disaster
| to the Polaris was the subject Of conversation
for some time. The Navy Department will do all in
its power for the safe transit to the United States
and the comfort OF the survivors, whose names
have just been reported. The expedition having
been fitted under direction OF the Department,
and being still under its charge, the desire to have
some OF the principal persons visit Washington Id
for the purpose of officially inquiring into all the
facts connected with the expedition since 1t left
the United States.
More from DR.. Hayes ON the Polaris
Expedition.
STUDIO BUILDING
81 WEST TENTH STREET, May IL. 1873
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Your reporter, in his account OF q con.
versation with me, published in yesterdays
HERALD, makes me responsible for the opinion that
there was q mutny on board the P0lars and that
Captain Hall was killed. In answer to a question
Of your reporter did say that such an event was
possible, but did not give this rs my belief nor
even say that 1t was probable. l would regret to
so reflect upon any of the hardy survivors, simply
on the ground that the meagre reports thus lar
received leave everything In doubt. Your reporter
1t must be borne in mind that CaptalI
Hall died four months alter leaving home
trials Of ts cruise began purnT this year
the expedition was in charge OF Captain Budding
ton an experienced seaman and an old Arctic
vOyager and he was In command OF the entire
party during the winter OF 1912. and during the
| passage south through Smith Sound, where they
not liberated until they were OF North1mberland
Island, in latitude II IS. Meanwhile, o consider
put upon the i ce together with two boats and
| nineteen members OF the ships company. How
they became separated from the ship Is not ex-
from Captain Tysons party who have, to say the,
least during their unparalleled drift on
Shown wonderful dlscretio Se and endurance NJ
to the Poars, which no doubt passed northward,,
through smith Sound, leaf which lnglenelds,
no less clear that when the sh ps real qualities for
ice-navgaton came to be tested subsequently, She
was found unfit for the service. Alter the separa-
ton OF the party the Polaris very likely reached
land, and, although there are probably no harbors
on Northumberland Island, there are plenty or
Sound, charts OF which Captain Buddington NO
doubt had with him. The thirteen persons remain
ing a n % sas os
crew are in great peril and should be looked for
and assisted without delay. This Is the duty OF
the Navy Department, who fitted out the Polaris.
Respectfully yours j. J. HAYES.
THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Finy-second Annual Mceting-Reports OF
the President, Treasurer and Commit.
tees OF ExaminatiOn-A New Ftrcproo1
Building To BE Secured.
The Board OF Directors and members OF the Mer-
camille Library Association held their fifty second
annual meeting last evening at the Leavitt Art
Rooms, Clinton Hall, Aston place.. The principal
business OF the evening consisted OF the reading Of
lengthy systematic report by Mr.. Peter voorhisl
President of the Association the statistics OF which