Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-06
THE EVENING STAR.
THURSDAY. March 6, 1879.
The Bennett Polar Expedition.
TALK WITH THE COMMANDER

"A representative OF the Chronicle calIei upon
Lieutenant De Long, L. s. n, who has COM
mand OF the Yacht Jeanette. Of the Bennett
polar expedition, at the Palace hotel yesterday,
ara gathered some interesting Information re-
speeding his plan OF operate rs. Lieutenant DE
Long is q man who would strike the most
supeInclal observer as one well qualified to en-
gage IN tne peril0us undertaking ne has in view
Like al men OF strong reserved force OF char
anVih, me indisposed to make public
mat ne was over-contident of success or under
estmated the chances OF failure The less
be taIem NJ NE lmaTked 1.-The less notice will
cessiui shall enjoy the glory the more from
not not having started OH with flourish of trum.
Lieut.. De Long will leave for New York NEXT
week, and be ready to sail for the frozen zone
ABOUT the middle of June. The yacht viii carry
and eight aft Her commander would prefer IA
nave the crew made up entirely OF American
s s, out as II may be difficult to get that
who weuld endure the hardsiips OF such an ex.
ped1tlon, he will probably accept the services of
Danlsn, Norwegian and Swedish sailors. Several
Young men have already volunteered 60 take
the chances.
The ''after guard" will be eight In number.
the commander, two neutenantS and master
man who combines a knowledge of geology.
mineralogy, botany and kindred sciences-aIid
recorder. who VIII also be skilled in photo
graphy, for the purpose of transcribing fun ac.
counts OF all which occurs OF Interest on the
voyage. In addition to this force, Mr. Bennett
may conclude to send member of the Herald
stat to act as correspondent The Jeanette
Will have IN d..provsions for three years
ana VIII start into the Arctic with coal sIlffi-
Gent for the same time. vessel Will leave
here with the expedition and accompany the
yacht as far as Behring Straits, where she VIII
repienish her coal bunkerS and see that she
starts in with a full supply.
AT one of the Indian settlements number of
sedges and dogs will be taken on board to be
used on land expeditions. Lieut. De Long will
at first endeayOr to force his way along the east
shore OF Wraagel's land. Ii he does not make
satisfactory advance on that side he will return
and try the west coast. According to reports
and superstition, on the west coast OF WrangeI'S
land the climate is milder and the sea more free
side. Making his way as far to the northward
as the ice will permit, he will then eject land
ing, and proceed by means of dog sledges as far
along Wrangel'S land as possible When winter
sets In he will return to the ship. and remain on
board until the ice breaks up in the following
spring.
The present winter has been an unusually
severe one in this country and In Europe, but
persons acquainted with the Arctic regions
huenced at all by the severity OF the seasons in
lower ATTITUDES. IL Lieut.. De Long fails the
first season he will try 1t again In 1880. He Is
not without experience in Arctic explorations,
having had command of the Juniata when she
was sent in search Of the POlaris, and by his
energy and judgment displayed On that occa-
sion won high encom1ums. Probably no expe-
charge of more competent commander than
will the Bennett exploring party, and it is pre-
dicted by those competent to judge that il will
be successful San Francisco Chronicle