The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-11-15
INTELLIGENCE,


THE ENGINEER OF THE JEANETTE CLOSELY
oRoss-ouEsrIoNED, AND MS ANSWERS
nEIGHTES THE INTEREST OF THE MELAN.
cHoLY STORY.
WASHINGTON, Nov. H.-Engineer Mel
vile to-day concluded his history of the
trials Of the whale-boat crew up to the time
they reached u native village in Siberia
and received assistance. His tale has been
principally a repetition of that told by
Lieutenant Danenhower. At the conclu-
sion of the direct testimony he was cross
examined with regard to the discipline mpin.
tanned, causes OF discussion, and his opinion
OF the wisdom and seamanship of belong.
Question-What, if you know was tine
particular overt act for which Collins in
March, 1850, was, as you say, suspended
from dutyP
Answer.-0f my own knowledge do not
know, as | was not present in the cabin al
the time.
Q--In what spirits were the officers and
men when they started on the retreat and
generally during the march, and when, fiat
any time, did they show any dependency?
A,--They We're all in the best of spirits
when they started on the retreat and dur
ing the march. They were more thoughtful
during the ten days camp and drew closer
to each other in more serious discussion
of their prospects of reaching land and
safety.
Q.-Was there fair division OF labor
made among all the ships company daring
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 he was suspended from duty?
Al think he was.
Q-Was the delay at Bennett Island
necessary for the repair of the boats and
the recupcration of the men, and no longer
than was requisite for this purpose?
A.-The men were In very good condition
at the time, but the rest was undoubtedly
good Tor them. | don't think the bot Is
could have been repaired 10 the same ad-
vantage on Yeas Island. The delay was no
longer than necessary to make repairs ard
effect a new organization preparatory 10
takeing TO the boats,
Q.-Was there any unnecessary delay on
the retreat, either before or after the
separation Of the boats
A.-N0; don't believe there were.
Odd the boats selected for the retreat
prove to be the best possible in respect Of
their seaworlhiness, their convenience of
handling ON ice, their capacity for carrying
their crews and equipments?
Ayes, sir; | think it was the best Sc
lection that could have been made
They were the best three boats
on the Jeanette to transport in. The
crew We're, of course, accommodated to the
carrying capacity of the boats. In my
opinion the second cutter iloated lighter
than either Of the others; as to their sea-
wOrthiness don think the second cutter,
she being shorter, was so good sea boat,
but don't think either the whale-boat or
first cutter could have reched the Siberian
coast but for tho weather cloths, which in
the case OF the first cutter, were fully one
foot higher, while those OF the second cut
ter were only about six inches higher.
Taking all things into consideration,
think the selection Of these three boats or
thirty-three people was the best that could
have been made, and believe had we Sc.
lected three boats as awkward to
handle on the ice as the whale boat, we
would never have gotten through.
Q.-What, you know, was the difficulty
between Eisenhower and Newcomb, which
resulted IN the suspension of the latter
from duty at Benefits Landing?
Al only know from the talk in camp.
was not witness.
Q-What arrangements, il any, were
made for communicating between boats by
signals?
A.--None what ever that know of.
Other questions developed the fact that
Melville and Danenhower are at variance
on II good many points. Melville thinks
the delay of ten days on Bennett Island was
unavoidable and was to the advantage ofthe
party; that the best selections
oil boats was made that was
possible; that the quickest possible
method of reaching the open water was
adapted and that the route chosen wa, IL 9
best one To reach the objective point. On
all these matters Danenhower has expressed
= contrary opinion us we'll as on others of
less Importance.
Witness believed Collins had not
been restored to duty when
the retreat over the ice began. He
was asked il II would have been to their ad-
vantage to have had the services in drag
ging boats of those who were under suspen.
sion, and replied, "Without doubt; we re.
qu'red all the working force we could get,
and could we have had the services of those
suspended it would have lightened the
labor OF those doing the work. .
GLOW long did Collins remain under
suspension'
A-From the:time Of suspension, while
on board the ship until we separated on tho
night of September 10, 1881.
y Was Lieutenant Dnenhower able 10
do duty from September 18th, 1851, to Sep.
TENDER 9th, 1881?
A,-From September 18th, 1891, till
September 9th. 1881, Lieutenant Danen-
hover was able to perform such duty, not
all such duty rs would be required of an
officer in either of our positions.
Q..-Did Lieutenant Danenhower at
any time during this interval say that he
was able to do duty and ask to be permitted
to take commando
A.-No; he did not