The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-11-03

JOSSd W NAV. VI bhAA ~ V"
He believes that Lieutenant Schwat-
ka's search must in this respect be
considered final. He also discredits
the theory that bad food caused the
death of Franklin's partly
THE JEANETTE. sr
Vice Admiral Richards also writes
to me from Vancouver House. For
est Hill, about the Jeanette, whose
fate is now commanding more and
more attention in English geograph-
ical circles. He writes :-''You |
have asked my opinion regarding
the safety and position of the Jean
nette, aud whether should consider
her absence for another winter as in
dieative OF her possible loss or SIM
ply Of her having penetrated to q
very high point of north latitude. L
gather that the Jeanette was last
seen about Cape Szerde, on the
Asiatic side of 3ehring Strait, on
August 20. 1873; that she was then
starting for Wrangell Land to the
north, and that she was proVisioned
for about three years. We know
that there is great difficulty in get
ting north from any of these narrow
straits, either on the west or east
side of America, on account Of the
ice choking their entrances in trying
to find an outlet, but navigable water
channels have been found both to
the east end to the west near the
coasts Of America and Siberia on
account Of the shoaliuess of the
coasts and the ice consequently
grounding outside, I do not there
| fore think that the Jeanette sue.
ceeded in getting far to the north.
| The Corwin, the vessel which was
sent In search of her, does not APP
pear to have got to the north of a
line drawn from Point Barrow, on
the east, TO Herald Island. On the
west. 1t appears to me probable
that the Jeanette may have winter
ed on tue aQast Of Wrangell Land,
and that if she did she would nave
tried to return south before the end
of the navigable season this autumn,
and it is quite possible she may still
do so up to the end Of this month.
On the other hand, she was aware Of
the Vegas discoveries, and that that
vessel had all but completed the
north passage In the summer of 1873,
and, being unable TO get north her
self, may well have determined to
repeat the feet of Nordenksjold and
Pelander in an opposite direction.
This. of course, is speculation. If
the. Jeanette had any specific in
structions for her guidance one
would be able to offer a more deci-
Ged opinion after pursuing them. l
should think the probabilities are
very great against her having been
destroyed in the ice; and though
there will, of course, be cause for
anxiety should she not return by
Behring Strait this autumn, | should
have confident hope that she would
be heard Of on the coast of Siberia
or turn up nezt summer at Nova
Zembla. SCARCELY think it prob,
able that she could have tried 10
make the passage eastward a4ong
the coast of America. though, oF
course, It Is possible. Ny opinion
is that if the Jeanette is not heard
of before the navigation through
BehrDg Strait is actually closed ar
rangements should be made at San
Francisco fer o vessel to proceed in
search of her next May. 1t is pre-
mature to say without a good deal
of consideration what actual steps
should be taken. Mr.. James Cor
don Bennett, viii, no doubt, seek
advice from the Vega expedition;
and he may be certain that all En-
glish Arctic men will be ready to
join In any council WHICH be may de
eide 10 consult in reference TO the
proper action to take when the time
comes to act.
Il am your very ohedient servant,
GEORGE HENRY RICHARDS,
Vice Admiral"
gg%ssEEgas<=1s-49-14 -
LOUIS VILE 70 MORRLSTO WIN.
! L