The New York herald., 1879-07-04
THE AMERICAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THl JHANNErrE-
From the San Francisco Chronicle, June 26.l
The exploring steamer Jeanette made a salts
factory trial trip at Vallejo and is to leave
that place to-day for this city She will rmain here
until she starts ON her adventurous voyage to the
Polar Sea. escorted far Oupaaska by the United
States steamer Alaska. The Jeannette is lifted up
with coal and stores for her long voyage every hole
corner and Granny being utilized There literally
unused space In her well arranged interior for .
mouse to turn round. and the Alaska will take extra
coal and stores which will be transferred to the
Jeanette at Ounalasks or st. Michael, to replace
those already used on the EXPLORING vessel.
The Jeanette is bark rugged steamer Of
42O tons register. and long low and rakish looking
Experts in Arctic navigation who have examined her
model say it is admirably suited for encounterina
heavy ice. She is what Is called long legged ship
that is. she has sharp wedge-shaped aoor, and IL
caught between two heavy icefoes she will be lifted
the ice instead of being crushed between them
too often happens to hat-foored. wal-sided ves-
sells. She built by the British government for
despatch boat and tender to the Mediterranean feet
sold out Of the royal navy and purchased by Sir
Allan Young. enthusiastic British yachtsman and
Arctic explorer. who had accompanied Sir Leopold
McCintock in his successful search for relics OF the
l-fstsd Franklin expedition. Sir Allan Young fitted
up the Pandora at his own cost. and made the voy.
age in her to the Arctic seas. He was Arm
friend of thelat Henry Grnnsll of Arctic
fame. The Pandora purchased about eighteen
Congress was registered an American vessel and
her name changed to the Jeanhette Lieutenant
George W. De Long. OF the United States Navy. was
the Secretary of the Navy. He brought her out to
this port the Straits of Magellan sailing most OF
to the naval authorities at Mare Island and put in
perfect condition for her voyage. Her bow Is filed
In with solid timber and heavy beams and trusses
cr0s tha 10 at Tnesa ara
oughy shored and braced that the crushing in Of her
sides would seem to be impossible. She also has
heavy extra planking on her bottom and bilRes.
and on her sides feet above her deep load ns
Her bow is further protected the outside by thick
when she may be forced to BUTT against .it
to open q channel. large poop chain has also
been added to increase her stowase room and ofa:
with steam launch and five strong and handsome
whaleboats. and folding boat. which will carry six
men in Of need. and may be handly carried
upon sledge. She has extra composition screw
blades. rudder duplicates of those parts OF
the engine gear that most liable to break and q
full assortment of nachnsts' and carpenters tools
In shert, the outfit IL ~ full and complete the
most thoughtful foresight and unstinted hberality
the score Of expense can make It, The engine has
had thorough overhauling with renewals where
they likely to be needed. and new boiler was
put in the ship by the Mare Island machinists, who
have given attention to the work, and
have turned of most credtable and excellent job.
pns one hO .. M n p ds
other provisions for maintaining the off,
GERS and crew in health and comfort. all has been
especially we'll cared for. and It is questionable
whether any ship of any nation ever started upon
cruise with such rGomy and well h arranged
clothing. blankets. &c.. seems to be endless. and
everything is of the best quality many Of the suits
to wear them Three large hogsheads flled with FUR
clothing prepared for the Howgate expedition and
few days ago and now stored on the jean
nette. In addition to this liberal donation IL II
understood that the Alaska Fur Company IL prepsr.
ing o supply OF fur suits. which will be sent ON
board the Jeanette at Ounaasks or st. Pauls. The
voyage OF the Jeanette will have special interest
for the citizens Of San Francisco, from the crcum-
stance their port being selected the port OF de-
parture. also from the fact that it is the first expe
dton that has started to reach the coveted goal Of
the North Pole by way OF Bekring Strait. Az all
other routes have been tried without SUCCESS
namely, by Parry's attempt by the ocean route be-
Halls and Mares efforts by way OF Smiths Sound and
by the Austrian expedition by the coast of Nova Ze
may .Ss Sspsn pt ss s
and easy route to the North Pole lies by way Of the
Golden Gate.
From the Montpelier vt.) watchman, July a.
The steamer Jesnnotte, of the Apsrican Arctic Rx.
petition, has arrived at San Francisco and is abous
ready to sail on its romantic mission. She has ali
her stores and equipment ON board. and. with her
full complement of officers. made trial trip down
the bay on Thursday last the steamer behaving
splendidly and the exhibiting this discipline Of
trained soldiers. Tho officers said to he Q splen.
did set of men. Not one is under twenty Ave years
of age and not one over thirty-fve. In the selec-
ton Of the eighteen members Of the crew 1300 app
cants who presented themselves were personally ex-
arnined and none accepted but those without
spot or blemish and free from physical ailment
immoral habits Captain De Long has the fullest
confidence in his and says that while the strict
est discipline will prevail in the government OF the
expedition and an adherence to navy rules and regu.
lations will be exacted they start out ~ members Of
family. This object. he adds, the officers who
have the responsibility of directing the will
assist in attaining. Everything that human fore
sight could suggest or provide has been seen to.