The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-16
rhe Jeanne4te Inve.tigation.

6uSl uccE hdlslllt lO-ud1 COuCluC
7 ed his history of the trials of til
whale boats crew up to the tim
they reached the native villages il
Siberia aud received assistance. Hi
tale has been principally a repetition
of that already told by Lieut.. Dan
enhOwer. At the conclusion of hi
direct testimony he was cross
examined with regard TO the dis
cipline maintained, the cause of dis.
sension, and his opinion of the wis
dom and seamanship of belong.
Question-What, if you know
was the particular overt act fol
which Collins, in March, 1880, was
as you say, suspended from duty?
Answer-Ofmy own knowledge
do not know, as was not present in
the cabin at the time.
ON what spirits were the off.
GERS and men when they started in
the retreat, and generally during the
march, and when, if at any time. did
they show any despondencv?
A.-They were all in the best of
spirits when they started on the re-
treat, and during the march they
were more thoughtful. During the
ten days camp they kept closer TO
each other, in more serious discus
sion of reaching land and safety.
Q--Was there a fair division of
labor made among ali the ships
company during the retreat
Ayes, sir, with the exception of
those on the sick list or suspended
from duty.
Q.-Was Collins fully able to work
at the time when suspended from
duty?
Al think he was.
Q.-Was delay at Bennett Island
necessary for repair of the boats aud
recuperation of the men, and no
longer than was requisite for this
purpose?
A.-The men were in very good
condition, but rest was undoubtedly
good for them. | don't think the
boats could have been repaired to
the same advantage on the ice as on
the island. The delay was no
longer than was necessary to make
repairs and effect a new orga MIA
ton, preparatory to taking to the
boats.
Q.-Was there any unnecessary
delay on the retreat, either before or
after the separation of the boats?
A.-No, [ believe not.
Odd the boats selected for the
retreat prove to be the best possible
in respect of their seaworthiness,
their convenience of handling on
tho Zoo and thar canooit.r for 90 rrx
ing their crews and equipments?
Ayes, sir, l think it was the
best selection that could have been
made. They were the best three
boats on the Jeanette to transport
on ice. The crew were of course &C
commodated to the carrying ca
pacity of the boats. In my opinion
the second cutter floated lighter
than either of the others. AS to
their seaworthiness | don't think the
second cutter, she being shorter, was
so good a sea boat, but L don't
think either the whale boat or the
first cutter could have reached the
Siberian coast but for the weather
cloths, which in the case of the first
cutter were fully one foot high,
while those of the second cutter
were only about six inches high.
Taking all things into consideration,
| think the selection of these three
boays for thirty-three people was
the best that could have been made,
and l believe had we selected three
boats as awkward to handle on ice
as the whale boat we would never
have got through.
Q.-What, if you know, was the
controversy between Danenhower
and Newcomb which resulted in the
suspension of the latter from duty at
Bennett Islandp
Al only know from talking, but
was not witness.
Q.-What arrangements, If any,
were made for communication on the
boats by signals?
A.-None whatever that l know
of.
Other questions developed the fact
that Melville and DanenhoWer are
variance on good many points.
Melville thinks a delay of ten days
on Bennett Island was unavoidable,
and that the best selection of boats
was made that was possible; that
the quickest possible means of reach
ing open water was adopted, and
one to reach the objective point.
On all these matters Danenhower
has expressed a contrary opinion, as
well as on others of some less impor-
lance.
The witness believed Collins had
not been restored to duty when the
retreat over the ice began. He was
asked if it would have been to adj
vantage to have had the services in
dragging the boats of those who
were under suspension, and replied
without doubt they required all the
working force they could get; and
could they have had the services of
those suspended it would have been
lighter for those doing the work.
Question-How long did Collins
remain under suspension2
A.-From the time of suspension
until we separated on the night OF
September II, 1881.
Q.-Was Lieut.. Danenhower able
to do duty from September II, 1881,
to September u, 1881?
A.-From September IL, 1881,
till September 81, 1881, Lieut..
Danenhower was able to perform
some duty, but not all of such duty
as would be required of an officer IN
either of these positions.
tIQ.-Did Lieut., Danenhower at any
time during this interval say he was
able to do duty and ask to be pro-
NOTED to take command?
A.-No he did not.