Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-15
THE JEANETTE.
Melville Continues His Story.

WASHINGTON, November 14-E0gineer
Melville to-day concluded his history of the
trials Of his boats crew up to the time they
reached the native villages in Siberia and
received assistance. His tale has been prin-
cipallY repetition Of that already told by
Lieutenant Danenhower Atthe conclusion
OF bis direct testimony he was cross-exam-
ined with regard to the discipline main
tained, the causes Of dissensions and his
opinion OF the wisdom and seamanship of
De Long.
"Whst, If you know, was the particular
overt act Tor which Collins, 10 March, 1880,
was. as you say, suspended from duiyP"
"OI my own knowledge l do not know, as
l was not present In the cabin at the time"
in what spirits were the officers and men
when they started on the retreat and gene
| rally during the march, and when, II at any
time, did they show any despondency?"
They were all in the best OF spirits when
| they started on the retreat, and during the
march. They were thoughtful during the
ten days IN camp, and drew closer to each
other In the more serious discussion of their
| prospects Of reaching land and safety"
twas there fair division OF labor made
among all the ships company during the
| retreat?"
eyes, sir; with the exception of those on
the sick list or suspended from duty"
"Was Collins fully able to work at the
time when he was suspended from duty?n
~ think he was"
''Was the delay at Bennett Island neces-
sarY FOR the repair OF the boats and the re-
| cuperatlOn Of the men, and no longer than
was requisite for these purposes?"
"The men were in very good condition at
| time Uua adj ooa
for them. l don't think the boats could
have been repaired 10 the same advantage
in the ice as upon the island. The delay
was not longer than was necessary to make
repairs and effect new organization pre-
psratory to taking to the boats"
| "Were there any unnecessary delays on
the retreat either before or after the separa-
| tion of the boats ?'
"NO. 1 do not believe there were"
''Did the boats selected for the retreat
| prove to be the best possible 10 respect of
their seawOrthiness, their convenience of
handling on the ice and their capacity for
carrying their crews and equipments ?"
'Yes, 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 the Ice. The crews were, of
course, accommodated to the CARRYING
capacity OF the boats. In my opinion, the
second cutter foated lighter than either Of
the others. AS to their seawOrthiness, l
don't think the second cutter, she being
shorter, was SO good q seaboat, tut don't
think either of the Whsleboats 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,
| ihink the selection OF those three boats
for StAItJ-three people was the best that
could have been made, and | believe, had
we selected three boats as awkward to han
die on the ice as the whaleboat, we would
never have gotten through"
"WDat. II you know, was the controversy
between DanenhoWer and NeWcomb which
resulted in the suspension Of the latter from
duty at Bennett Island? ?"
al only know from talk in camp. l was
not Witness"
"What arrangement, If any, were made
for communicating between the boats by
signal?'
'None whatever that know Of"
Other questions developed the fact that
Melville and Danenhower are at
variance upon a good many points.
Melville thinks the delay Of
ten days on Bennett Island was unavoidable,
and Was to the advantage OF the party; that
the best selection OF boats was made that
was possible; that the quickest possible
method OF reaching open water was adopted,
and that the route chosen was the best one
to reach the objec i've point. Upon all these
matters DAnenhower has expressed a con-
trary opinion, as well 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 If it would have been an
advantage TO have had the services in drag
ging the boat OF those who were under
suspension, and replied:
without doubt, we required all the
working force we could get, and could we
have had the services Of those who were
suspended, 1t would have lghtened the
lsbors Of those who were doing the work."
4'How long did Collins remain 1nder
suspensiOn?n
From the time of his suspension while
on board he ship until we separated on the
night Of September II, 1881"
'tWas Lieut.. Danenhower able to do du5v
from September II, 1881, to September u,
1SSI?"
From September 125h, 1881, till Septem-
Der 9th, 1881, Lieutenant Danenhower
was able TO perform some duty. Not all the
duty such as would be required Of an officer
In either OF our positions
"Did Lieutenant DanenhOwer at any time
during this interval say he was able to do
duty and ask to be permitted to take COM
mand?"
mo. He did not