Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-06-27
DEAD De LONG.
The Story Of the Terrible Suffer
Ing Endured.
Freezing, Starving and Dying. Amid a
Sea Of Snow and Ice-A Graphic
Picture Of the Last Days Of the
Lost Crew.
NOTES FROM THE DEAD MANS DIARY.

WASHINGTON, June zo.-lue navy utpaTt
ment is in receipt of a report from Engi-
neer Melville, giving in datail the story of
his search for De Long and party, and the
discovery of their dead bodies. The follow
ing extracts are from De Longs note book:
Under date of Monday, October Sd, De Long
writes his party thought they saw hut,
but upon reaching the spot found only a
mound. A camp was made in hole in
the bluff, and a roaring fire was soon dry
ing land burning) their clothes, while the
cold wind ate into their backs. Nothing
was left to eat but their dog, which was
killed and dressed, and stew made ofsuch
parts as could not be cured. All partook Of
the stew except De Long, and DR.. Alexy
was sent off to examine what they thought
was hut, and came back at night with a
favorable report. 1t was decided to wait
till morning before leaving. 1t was then
below zero. A watch was set to keep the
fire going, and all huddled around it, and
thus the
Third Night without sleep
was passed. If Alexy had not wrapped his
sealskin around De Long and kept him
warm by the heat of his body, he Ode
Long, thinks he would have perished, as he
was steamed and shivered and shook.
At o'clock in the morning the party
reached hut large enough to hold them,
and for the first time since Saturday they
managed to get warm. Erickson was very
low, and prayers were said for him before
the Others sought rest. At 10 o'clock all
except Alexy laid down to sleep, Alexy
went off to hunt, and at noon returned wet
having fallen into the river.
At six o'clock in the evening they reused
up and had pound of dog meat for each
and a cup of tea, the days allowance, but
they were so grateful they were not ex-
posed to the terrible gale which was raging
at the time, they did not mind
The Short Rations.
On Wednesday we had tea and dog meat
for breakfast. Alexy again went off hunt
ing, and came back with nothing.
On Thursday we had cup of third hand
tea, with half an ounce of alcohol in 1t.
Alexy was again sent out to hunt, and
Erickson died while he was gone. Alexy
returned empty handed.
The notes at this point say. What in
Gods name is going to become of us? Four
teen pounds of dog meat left and twenty
five miles to a possible settlement! They
could not dig grave for Erickson, as the
nothing to dig with, so they sewed his body
up in laps OF the tent. covered him with
their flag. and
Buried Him I'm the River.
Three volleys from their Remingtons
were fred over him. Under date of October
9th the notes says: "l17th day-Breakfast
consisted of the last halfpound of dog meat
and tea. The last grain of tea ives put in
kettle, and we are now about TO undertake
a Journey of miles with some old tea leaves
and two quarts OF alcohol. However, |
trust in God, and believe that He who has
fed us this far will not suffer us to die OF
want now. The party left a record in the
hut which was found by Melville, as al.
ready reported. They got under way at
80 A. NJ. and proceeded until ll:2O, by
which time they had made about twenty
miles and were all pretty well done up.
They had
Half an Ounce OF Alcohol
in a pot of tea for dinner; went ahead and
soon struck what seemed to be the main
river again. Here four of the party broke
through the ice in trying to cross, and fear
ing frost bite, a fire was built. Alexy was
sent off to look for food, being directed not
to 20 far nor stay long. He came back al
$50 with one ptarmigan, OF when soup
was made, and with half an ounce OF aico
hol made their supper.
Saturday. October sth, the notes say
"Called on hands at $50 breakfast, half ar
ounce of alcohol and pint of hot water. The
alcohol proves Of great advantage; Keeps
off the cravings for food, preventing gnaw
in at the stomachs, and has kept up th'
strength of the men, who are given three
ounces day. Went ahead until 1880, an'
after five miles struck the big river again
and had to turn back. Only made an ad
vance OF one mile.
Cold Camp, and but Little Wood
and half an ounce of alcohol.
Sunday 9th - All hands at 4:30. Hal
ounce of alcohol; read divine service; sen
Ninderman and Noros ahead for rel'el
| They started at seven, cheered them
| underway al eight; crossed creek, and oroE
| through; all wet up to the knees. Drie
clothing and underway again at 1880. A
! one struck river bank, and halted for din
| nor Half an ounce OF alcohol Ale4,
| shot three ptarmigans and.made soup. w
| are following Ninderman's track, althoug
he is long since out Of sight. Found
conde; lay our heads in it and 90 TO sleeI
October 10th-I.ast half ounce OF alcohc
at5:S9. At 600 sent Alexy off 70 look 70
ptarmigan. Eat deer skin scraps, and ye:
terday morning ate my deer skin foot tip
Underway al eight In crossing the cree
three got wet. Built a fire and dried ou
Ahead again till eleven; used up. Built
FIRE and made drink out Of tea leaves an
from the alcohol bottle. On again at moo
very hard going Ptarmigan tracks plent
full, at three, halted, used up. Crawle
into hole into bank. Alexy in quest
game. Nothing for supper excepta
Spoonful OF GIyeerine,
all hands weak and feeble, but Cheerful
| God helpUs
Tuesday, l1th-A gale with SHOWS; unabl
to move. No game; one spoonful Of gly'
crime and hot water for food. No moi
wood in our vicinity,
Wednesday, 12-Breakfast, the last spoor
full OF glycerine and hot water. For Dime
a couple bandfuls OF Arctic willow in a pc
/ o.. water and drank the infusion, everybod
getting weaker and weakening; hardly abl
10 get firewood. Gale with snow.
Thursday, l3-Willow tea; no news fror
| Nindermar. We are in the hands OF Goo
and unless he relents we are lost. We car
not move against the winds, and stayin
here
| Means Starvat1On.
| This afternoon we went ahead for mile
After crossing another river or bend OF Bi
river; missed lee. Went down in hole i
the bank and camped, sent back for Let
He had been down and was waiting to die
| All united in saying the Lords prayer an
creed. After supper strong gale OF WIND
horrible night.
| Friday. breakfast OF willow tea; dinnel
| half teaspoonful of sweet oil and willo
tea. Alexy shot one plarmigan; had sou'
| Wind moderating.
| Saturday, October 15.-Breakfast, willo
| tea and two old boots. Concluded to NOV
| at sunrise. Alexy breaks down; also Le'
| Come TO an empty grain raft; halt an
camp. Signs of smoke at twilight TO tn
| southwark.
Sunday. October l6.-Alexy broke down
| Divine service.
| Monday-Alexy dying Doctor baptize
him. Read prayers for the sick. Mr.. Co
Inns birthday; 40 years old. About sunst
| Ale1y died; exhaustion from starvation
Covered with the ensign and laid him
the crib.
| Tuesday-Calm and mild; snow falling
Buried Alexy in the afternoon. Laid hii
on the ice and covered him with slabs
/ ice.
| Misunderstanding mp tent TO mas
i e.. .o.r I1,c.nr uant ahead tn find ne