Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-21

Hunt, Esteelan Island, n E. Siberia, January 7th,
1882, and states that the fire originated under
meath the donkey boiler room The crew went
quietly and quickly to their stations; the hatches
from the steam pump. On account Of the large
quantity of smoke it was impossible to reach the
hre The fire hatch was partially opened to ad-
ON ACCOUNT OF THE SMOKE
the men at the nozzles had to be repeatedly re-
heved. The door to the donkey boiler room was
closed and the deck opened above, by which means
the fires were kept up. The connections to the
main boilers which had been broken to prevent
the pipes freezing, were made, the boilers pumped
and the fires started. The Babcock fire extin-
guisher was discharged through an auger hole
over the fire. The powder from the magazine was
put in the boats as Necessary. The fires were
hauled and the smoke made its appearance In the
nre room. 1t was evident that 1t was
IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE THE SHIP,
and the question OF saving the people presented
ITSELF The young ice was such that 1t was impos-
sible to force boat through It, even far enough
to clear the ship. An attempt was made to beach
the vessel, but the wind fell light and it hardly
moved at all, and was carried by the tide and ice
between Lutke island and the spit from the north
saore OF the bay, and grounded about five hundred
Ieet from the latter. The report says:
AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO FLOOD THE SHIP
and save the provisions, but the Kingston valve
could not be reached on account of the smoke. An
attempt was made to run q line ashore with q
boat, but she could not make her own length
through the ice. The next attempt was made
with skin boat, which succeeded in carrying q
deep-sea line ashore and larger line hauled after,
which was made fast to piece OF drift wood. The
process OF warping the boats ashore was CON-
meDced, but 1t became necessary to desert the two
three boats and the twoeut clear from the ship.
The latter were afterwards hauled ashore.
THE LAST TWO BOATS
left the ship at II AS p. m and by the time they
reached shore-2 q. n. Dec. 1st-the fire had ex-
tended the entire length of the ship, which soon
after was swept out OF the harbor by the ice, de-
stroying all hope Of saving anything more from
the wreck. She was last seen on the morning OF
Dec. I'd, still burning, and well up the harbor.
Some OF the natives have reported that part OF the
wreck was above water, but have since walked
over the place on the ice, and failed to discover
any traces
THE OFFICERS AND CREW
lost nearly all their clothing. The Official records
were saved The men were too fatgued to at
tempt constructing shelter, and slept in the open
air. A bale OF blankets was saved from the pay
masters store, and those who had none were sup
piled with a pair. Open water made its appear
anee along the beach, and at daylight the boats
were launched and headed for Huniagmo, but the
Ice commenced closing up and they had to be
hauled UP. and the night was spent under shelter
Of the sails, &c, during violent snow storm.
HOSPITALITY OF THE NATIVES.
In the morning two natives who happened to be
On the ship at the time OF the fire returned wi tn
other natives and all the sleds Of the village and
invited us to take up quarters at their houses,
which invitation was accepted, leaving party in
charge OF the boats and stores. A few days after
the boats, stores, and party were brought to the
village. Later, the party was divided among four
villages in the vicinity OF ST. Lawrence bay. The
houses ara warm and dry, and were it not for some
OF their filthy customs we would be quite com
cOrQing TO their own belief.
WHAT THE NATIVES EAT
The catch OF walrus has been very abundant
this season, especially on the south side of the
bay, where they are hauled up, ana large num-
Der were killed late in the season, and their meat
therefore is fresh and gooi. They also have a
good supply OF roots and herbs, so we are In no
danger Of hunger or disease from want of food.
am succeeding very W ell in trading with the
portion OF the trade articles saved for skin cloth
Ing, and hope to have all properly clad by the end
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
have been unable to determine the origin of
the fire, but think that 1T was most probably
caused by the heat from the donkey boiler char
ring and firing the deck underneath it, as it was
there that the fire broke out The following arti-
cles were slowed in that part OF the hold: lime
juice, pemmtcan, beef, pork, rice, beans, sugar,
molasses, pickles, vinegar, running gear and a
large hemp hawSer, which was evidently burning
when the fire was first discovered
PLANS.
The officers AMI men could not have deported
themselves better, and quiet and order prevailed
throughout
Ipurpose engaging one OF the whaling fleet, as
soon as they shall arrive next summer, to take the
party to st. Michael's, and there engage passage
on the Alaska Commercial company's steamer
to San Francisco. The Intention of search
ing the coast for Information of the
Jeanette and the missing whalers will not be
ha h0u oil dU 1na cd fr,r,,
natives that there Is ample supply OF food along
the entire coast, so that II any OF the missing
Since the arrival of the ship In st. Lawrence bay.
on the 18th OF last October the gales have been so
continuous and the water SO rough that it was not
house on shore and landing large part OF the
stores One months provisions portion OF the
trade articles, nearly all the guns. all the ammu-
bags, and small amount OF clothing were saved.
We could not have taken much more In the boats
could not send this report sooner but all efforts to
get guide to NiShue KOymSk, or even meSsen-
ger to communicate with this station without
using my own dogs, which at that time could not
spare, were unava1ling. send this report by Mr.
w. a. Glider, pay clerk, who win report in person
the nearest post Office copy OF this report"
GALLANT CONDUCT OF MASTER W. r. MORGAN
The report says: ~ have the honor OF acQuaint-
ing the department with the gallant conduct OF
W. F. Morgan, master at arms of the U. S. s.
Rodgers, during the fire which broke out on her
November 30th, 1881. He was stationed at the
nozzle OF the hose from the steam force pump, and
repeatedly plunged into che smoke and remained
each time until overcome by suffOcatlon and being
hauled out by a bow line around his body. The
last time he received injuries which neceSStated
his being placed under medical care, and OF which
he did not recover for two weeks. He rendered
himself conspicuous where all did remarkably Wen
their duty"
LIEUT.. BERRY COMING HOME.
A Now T0rIr