The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-02-05
ARCTIC AGITATION.
The Missing -Jeannette- Polar Ex-
pedifi0n.
Communication From Secretary Cor
In Relation Thereto.
General Items-A Horrible Death
Earthq quaIxe-Our Grant.
The Jeanette search.


Washington, Feb 4.-The president
to-day sent TO both houses of congress
communication received by him from
the secretary of the navy relative to the
despatch Of a vessel to search for the
Jeanette polar expedition. In this let
ter, which the president commends to
the favorable action of congress, Secre-
tary Goff says:
81 have considered the letter of Chief
Justice DAILY, president of the American
Geographical society, relating to re-
lief vessel for the Jeanette polar expe-
dition. The propriety of sending
such relief expedition is fully concur
red in. and we need therefore examine
the means only to be employed. Judge
DAILY suggests the Galena, now in the
Mediterranean, as a vessel suitable for
this expedition. 1t is necessary to say
that any naval vessel destined to be
sent on such service must have her
battery removed, undergo extensive
strengthening and alterations to prepare
her to encounter ice; that the crew
must be reduced to the number deemed
just sufficient; that they must be
equipped at the expense of the govern
ment with furs and other clothing
adapted to the rigors of an arctic win
ter, and provisions for period of year
or more, with food of a character not
found in the navy ration, and carry
besides surplus for relief purposes.
The naval vessel thus transformed
would lose her distinctive feature of
man-of-war, yet be well calculated for
polar expedition. To start the Gal
ena on this service, supposing her to
push forward via the Snez canal. Hong
Kong and Patropanboyaki, through
Behring straits to Herald Island, she
would have to traverse distance of
some twelve thousand miles, requiring
81 days at sea and at least A days in
port replenishing her coal supply; or
a total of Al months. This. with
out making any allowance of time
for the preparations above indicated as
indispensable. Supposing her to start
at once, she could not reach Herald
Island before June 18th, while it is ad-
mitted she should properly reach it, fully
equipped. by July 1st- This could not
be done. The Galena, then, no matter
how well she may be adapted for the
expedition, is not available.
The navy has, however, in the Pa
cific, vessel fully as well adapted as
the Galena for such a relief and search
expedition. This vessel, the Massachus-
etts. is now at Panama, and will soon
be on her way to San Francisco. She
is screw steamer of 1,575 tons dis
placement, carrying in her bunkers 100
tons Of anthracite coal, and consumes
full power 80 tons per day, or half
power 16 tons. Should it be deemed
expedient to select this vessel for the
relief expedition, no time should be lost.
She must be hastened to the Mare Is
land navy yard and the work Of trans
forming and strenthening her be COM
menced at once, 80 that all may be
ready by the LIST of June. Her battery
must be removed together with all war;
like stores; her sides and bow must be
strengthened; her propeller protected !;
her bulkhead removed and replaced to
suit her new mission; provisions of a
special character, large quantities and
in excess Of the needs of the vessel
must be provided, and her crew re-
duced by rejecting from her present
complement, all those who are not Of a
robust constitution and cheerful dispo-
sition. This requires time and money.
1t is estimated that 100000 will be
necessary to prepare and equip her.
That amount should be appropriated by
congress without delay, if the search is
to be prosecuted this year. 1t must be
borne in mind that navy vessels, al
though strongly built, were never de-
signed for butting with the ice in the
Polar sea. Any alteration and attempt
cd adoption of one for such a purpose
is, at least, make-shift, besides there
after she would be entirely lost to the
navy, as the expense of reconverting
her into man-of-war would be equal
to her value.
There is now at San Francisco a
steamer built and equipped for whale
fishing in the Arctic, having passed last
season above Behring straits, where her
whaling venture was very successful.
I am informed that this vessel is pecu-
liarly fitted for the purpose in hand and
can be chartered or purchased. It
would seem advisable to obtain her and
send her at once to the Mare Island
navy yard to be repaired and equipped.
She should be, of course, ofllcered and
manned by the navy and come under
its discipline and control. This would
require an appropriation Of S175, 900,
which is apparently greater than is nec-
essary to equip Ga man-of-war, but
when we consider that the vessel would
be lost to the navy by its conversion, 1t
would be the most economical proceed
ing to purchase. Furthermore, the pur-
chased vessel will require complement
I Of Off1 oaro orI .ro-~- e M a,