The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-01-21
mo. II.
IN. o. Times Democrat

is q happy termination OF one OF the
most important Arctic explorations
undertaken since the days of DR.. Kane.
The Jeanette has been missing for
two years, aud was given up by many
persons. How much interest was
taken in her voyage is shown by the
fact that no less than three expedi-
ton were fitted up by the govera-
eminent during the past year to look
for the missing vessel, while several
foreign powers were preparing to
send her aid.
The expedition promises more ben
eft to the world, scientifically, geo.
graphically and otherwise than any
that has sailed in Arctic seas for half
Q century. The Jeanette, to start
with, was one Of finest specimens OF
Arctic shipbuilding ever seen. She
was specially constructed to sail in
seas Of ice, and was provided with
ice-saws, ice-pegs, etc, that would
enable her to cut through eight feet
Of ice with ease. Everything neces-
sary for . thorough and scientific
survey and study Of the country and
seas through which she passed was
provided scientific instruments of
all kinds, Photographic apparatus,
and even 200 miles Of telegraph wire,
so that expeditions could be sent ont
that distance and communicate with
the vessel BY telephone. The JEAN
nette was provisioned for three years
and boosted of most efficient lot Of
officers, scientists, taxidermtsts, geo
graphsrs. etc. And ell this was pro-
vided by . newspaper. the New York
Herald, which undertook an enter
prise which great and rich countries
heaitated at--sn enterprise that must
have costs ct least $500 1t is to
be hoped that the loss of the jean
nette will not entail the loss of all
the records OF the expedition. In its
two years of cruising through por-
ton Of the Arctic ocean never explor-
ed before, the officers of the jean
nette must have made some valuable
and important discoveries which, it
10 TO be hoped, they have saved from
the wrecked vessel and will be able
to give to the world.
All this news about the Jeanette,
BY the BY, 10 exactly six months old.
It was ct the beginning of summer
that she was crushed in the ice, but
it takes something like half year TO
get news from that ultima thule, the
extreme northern portion Of Siberia.
Az it is probable thst the rescued
crew left the villsge of idolsters,
where they were 80 Hospitality receiv-
ed, soon after the departure Of the
courier who has given the world the
news OF their escape. we may expect
to hear very shortly of their arrival
within the limits Of civilization, and
then learn some of the extraordinary
incidents that must have taken place
in two years cruise among the ice-
bergs Of the Arctic ocean.
am IN. O. Picayuns.l
Since the days Of Sir John Franklin
when then the unknown seas north
of the American continent offered
vastly more eutransing field OF dis
covery than now. when nearly all the
coasts are laid down on the charts,
and the hopes for utilizing the north
west passage is wholly gone, no such
thrilling interest has attached to any
Arctic exploration % belonging to the
unfortunate Jeannette, sent from San
Francisco less than three years ago
BY james g. Bennett, of the New
York Herald, with instructions to find
the Pole. This Order is like Bennett
When he cent Stanley to TsnganyikA
be ordered him TO Ego and find Liv-
ingstone." The brave Capt belong
was not man TO turn back.
More than two years ago Capt De-
Long sailed ont Of Behring Strait
and went away to the northwest into
/ uncharted waters. The nearest land
(, in that course. Herald Island, 10 about
| in Longitude 116 degrees west from
Greenwich, and latitude II degrees
20 minutes north. When the jean
nette was crushed BY the ice she had
proceeded six degrees further north
ward aud twenty seven westward.
Through what devious wanderings
and buffetings she attained this fatal
spot we shall not know until her Of
fcers arrive within telegrspbic COM
munication. Neither can We but inn
agine the horrible sn6erings which
the two boat crews must have under
gone, before they with Captain De-
Long himself reached the month Of
the Irene river in Asistic Russia, in
longitude 100 degrees east. latitude
70 north. II ~ to be hoped that the
third boat has been no less successful
| in landing on the Siberian coast. and