National Republican., 1882-12-15
Who Was a Seaman on the Ill-FatOd Steamer
Jeannette.
He Tells Of His Interesting Experiences
in the Frozen Regions Of the North.
He Knew Of No Difficulty Between De Long and
Collins,
And Believes That the Latter Was Treated
with All the Respect Due an Officer.

vessel in July, 1879, on the passage from Mare
Island to San Francisco. In reply to ques-
tions whether he had any statement to make
as to the condition of the vessel, the manage
ment, the loss, in relation to provisions and
plans for the boats crews on leaving the
wreck, the efforts made by officers to insure
the safety of the men under their charge, and
the relief of the other parties, any charge to
lay or commentator to offer as to the conduct
of officers and men, he said, Not any" The
witness was then cross-examined by the judge
advocate
ON BEHALF or JEROME j. COLLINS.
@. Do YOU know anything of the trouble
between Lieut.. De Long and Mr. Collins p
A. l do not.
@. What did Mr.. Collins say to you regard
ing the affair? The judge advocate objected
to this question as the answer could only be
made on hearsay.. The room was cleared for
consultation, and when the doors were opened
the president stated that the objection to it
was sustained.
Q. Did you not have some trouble with Mr..
De Long? The judge advocate objected to
the question as being irrelevant, and stated
that the witness had been given an opportu-
nifty to lay any charges against De Long or
other person if any be desired The court sus-
tanned the objection.
O. Do you remember the time when Mr..
Collins's notes were lost?--A. He kept large
journal in wooden box made by the car
penter; that book, think, was lost. If the
book is the one referred to | think it was lost
with the ship.
O. Was he at liberty to rescue it "A. In
my Judgment he was
Q. When you showed him your notebook
what did he tell you about his notes and what
he was going to do when land was reached?
The iudge-advocate objected to the question
po11i 1it,,,f fn.h Npng i'm
cleared for consultation. When the doors
were opened the president stated that the OBJ
lection was sustained.
Q. What did your party do when you
reached Cape BorSia or Jamarcaloch PA.
We sought shelter and food as soon as posi-
be, made an unsuccessful attempt in the
whale boat to work off the river, returned
and remained some forty days. We were
much troubled with vermin and scanty fare.
Sent message to Belun and received word
from Noros and Nindemann. Left the village
on Sd November, 1sS1 for Belun.
Q. How did you pass the time?-A. In re-
pairing old clothes, trying to keep warm, and
recruiting our health.
Q. Did you know that tho native Sagra
got drunk shortly after starting for Belun p
A. l did not
Q. Did Mr.. Collins show you any of the pa
pers he was going to secure?-A. ] saw a
large journal on ship several times; nothing
else that | remember. ...r0
Q. Had you any trouble with Engineer
Melville after reaching Lena Delta?
The question was objected to by the presi-
dent, and the room was cleared When the
doors We're opened, it was stated that the OBJ
lection was made ON account Of irrelavancy,
and it was sustained
@. Did he threanten you in any way?
This question was objected to on the same
grounds, and the objection was sustained.
. Q. Is it a fact that, during the retreat the
zF.n, nt,.
and then
DE LONG WOULD LIE IN HIS TENT
until o'clock in the afternoon when sick,
and thus cause unnecessary delay "A. l
have no knowledge of any such occurrence.
The judge advocate stated that he did not
desire to further examine the witness, and
he was examined by the court.
Question by court. Was there any unneces-
sary delay during the retreat over the ice P
A. 1t seems to me that the time spent in
reaching and staying at Bennett Island might
have been used in making the way south.
Q. Did you think so at the time?-A. l did.
Q. How was the time occupied in reaching
and staying at Bennett Island?-A In trav-
cling over the ice, transporting sleds and pro-
visions. After reaching the island in repair
Ing boats overhauling clothes, and getting
birds for fresh food Some scientific observa-
tOns were also made.
Q. Was not the delay necessary for the re-
pair of boats to make them serviceable "A.
They leaked badly, and had to be caulked
often after that on the journey south.
Witness, in answer to question, said he was
not competent to judge of the condition of the
boats at that time.
Q. Did you express your opinion of the
delay to the commanding Otlicer?-A. did
not.
Q. State what induced the commander to
delay the retreat in order to land on Bennett
Island "A. | do not know the reason.
Q. During the stay of the whale-boat's party
at Jamarcaloch, in October, 1881, did you !
think an expedition could and should have
been fitted out for the search of the cutters
parties to the north?-A. No party of any size
could have been sent, owing to the physical
condition of the party ut Jamarcaloch; Lieut..
DanenhOwer did make one trip, | do not
know how far he got but | remember his stat
ing that the condition of the ice prevented
kis exploring to the extent that he desired.
LIFE IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
Q. Do you know whether the resources of
Jamarcaloch could have furnished necessary |
means for search party sooner than was |
done? PA. | do not know what the resources
We're
Q. Was ii possible to travel on the ice or
on the water north "A. do not know.
Q. While there did you think or express an
opinion that il was necessary to organize Il |
search party "A. | do not rccOllect.
Q. by judge advocated What experience
in arctic regions did you have before the jean |
nette expedition "A. Not any.
q. DO you feel that you can separate the !
impressions made at tho time at Bennett |
Island from those made subsequently, |
do.
Q. What were your facilities for knowing |
the position of the party, the condition Of
boats and provisions on hand as compared |
with the captain's?-A. can hardly compare |
my opportunities with those of the COM |
mander, but they were those any person of |
ordinary observation might have in the same |
circumstances.
Q. What do you mean eXactly?-A. As |
naturalist of the expedition | would not be as
well qualified to judge Of such things as the .
commanding officer.
Q. By court State how Mr.. Collins was
treated by officers of the Jeanette, officially
and socially "A. after hesitation.) OF my
personal knowledge | can hardly state, by
trusting to memory to do so. / was only
looking out for my own affairs, and presumed |
he was doing the slime; If stated more il
would be hcarsay.
Q. Was Mr. Collins treated with the usual |
courtesy, official and social, by his mcsslnatesY |
"A. Within my personal knowledge, yes.
q. State how Mr.. Collins treated the Off
GERS of the Jeanette? "A. So far as / know,
respectfully.
q. Did the crew treat Mr., G. with the re-
Epect due an otlicer?-A. They treated him
with much respect, and l should say with .
the respect due an officer.
q. How did lir. G. treat the crew as com
aA NNrflh nth s.,