The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-03-31
LOOKING FOR THE LOST.
Engineer MeiviIie's Instructions How TO
Search for the Missing Jeanette Crew.

WASHINGTON, March 2i.-Secretary Hunt
has received from Assistant Engineer Geo.
w. Melville, under date of Yutoutsk, East
ern Siberia, January ., 1882, copy Of
letter of instructions by him (Melville) TO
Ispravnik, local governor of yerkerhowansk,
as follows:
1t is my desire, and wish of the govern
ment of the United States of America, and
the protector of the American expedition,
that diIligent and constant search be made
for the missing comrades. The boat of
Lieut.. De Long and party, consisting of
twelve persons, will be found near the west
branch of the Lena river. They are south
of a small hunting station, which Is west of
p house known by the Yakouts as the Out
vina. They could not possibly have marched
as far south as Bulcom, therefore, be they
dead or alive, they are between Quivina and
BuIcom. / have already gone over this
ground, but followed the river back, there
fore 1t is necessary that more careful search
be made on the high ground back from the
IlsEI dlSbdhIEs NSii 90 atohE
the river bank. / examined many huts and
small houses, but could not possibly have
examined all of them; therefore it is neces-
sary that all-every house, large or small
be examined for books and papers or per-
sons of the party. Men without food and
with but little clothing would naturally
seek shelter In huts along the line of march,
and If exhausted might be left in the huts.
They might have left their books and papers
In the huts If unable to carry them further.
If they carried their books and papers south
of that section of country, between Quivina
and Bulcom, they will be found piled up in
a heap and some prominent object raised
near them to attract the attention of search
ing parties. A mast of wood or a pile of
wood would be raised near them, If not on
top of them. In case the books and papers
are found, they are 10 be sent to the Ameri-
can minister resident at st. Petersburg. If
to me before leave Russia, forward to me.
The persons, if dead, wish to have carried
to a central position most convenient of ac-
cess to Belun, all placed in small house
and arranged side by side for future
recognition; the hut then securely closed
and banked up with snow or earth, and to
remain so until proper person arrives from
America to make final disposition of the
bodies. In banking up the hut have it done
In such a manner that animals cannot get in
and destroy the bodies. Search for the small
boat should be made from the west mouth
of Lena river TO and beyond the east mouth
of Jana river. After the separation of the
three boats no information has been re-
ceived concerning the small boat, but as all
three boats were destined TO Barkin, and
then TO 60 to the mouth of the Lena, it Is |
natural TO suppose that Lieut.. Chip d. |
rected his boat to Barkin, If he managed to |
weather the gale, but If from any cause he |
could not find Lena mouth, he would con- |
tinue along the coast from Barkin west for |
the north mouth of the Lena, or south for |
the eastern entrance or mouth of the Lena. |
If still unsuccessful in getting into the Lena
river, he might, from stress of weather or
other causes, be forced along the coast to-
ward the Jana river. Diligent and constant
search is to commence at once, and to con-
tinue until the people, books and papers are
found, care being taken that vigilant and
careful examination of that section of coun-
try where Lieut.. De Long and party are
known to be is made In early spring time,
when the snow begins to leave the ground
and before the spring floods overflow the
river banks. One or more American officers
will in all probability be in Belun In time
10 assist in the search, but the search men,
Toned in these instructions is to be carried
On In an Independent way. The other party
was to be entirely under the control of COM
petent authority of Russia.
(Signed) GEO. w. MELVILLE.