The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-20
THE JEANNETTE.
Continuation of Lieut.. Danenhower's
Testimony.

SoAtlnuaJlOn or Lieut.. Dan6nhOWer'6
Testimony.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19-In the Jeannette
board of inquiry this morning Lieutenant
tlou BY the conrt he stated that, judging from
the experience of whale ships and of the jean
nette herself, the chances of getting free after
once being beset in ice such as is usually found
OF Wrangel Land are very slight.
The witness was asked ssDo you know OF
anything in the management of the Jeannette
which subsequent experience proved prejuGi-
clal and which could have been avoided?"
Ills reply was, ut issasquestion of judg-
ment which is called for by the court, and
when embarked on the expedition was TO
abide by the judgment of the commander, and
do not wish to oppose my Judgment to that of
the commander or Others unless it is absolute
ly required of me.'
The court was thenlcleared for consultation.
After half an hours conference the doors
were reopened and the witness was asked,
Are there any material facts relating to the
management OF The Jeanette coming within
your own knowledge which you have not
stated?"
Answer-No SIR
Question-At the time the Jeanette enter
ed the Ice pack was it, in your opinion at that
Time, With a fair prospect of forcing her Way
through and reaching the land?"
Answer At the time or about the time we
were entering the pack could not and did not
give my opinion without having been in the
crows nest to get full view of the situation
When the captain came down on deck it was
very fogey and L did not go aloft.
The witness was asked, "Were the proyi-
slons always found to be of good quality. and
II not give the names of the Jntributors and
manufacturers who furnished those which
were defective?"
Answer-A considerable quantity of the
canned goods turned out badly. A large in
nt nrnTnnd hoaf - \
Company's brand was bad and had to be re-
Jected at Mare Island. Canned goods of all
descriptions proved to be bad at times and had
to be condemned, mention of which was made
IN the ships log from day to day. The -four,
bread, coffee, tea, sugar, butter and other
articles We're very good. The canned goods
We're furnished by Leggett & Co., of New
YORK ana were from various canning establish
ments OF the East and West. The deterora-
ton was nos due to the temperature to which
they were exposed, as they were condemned
from time to time from leaving San Francisco
The witness then gave an account of
meteorological observations taken during the
voyage.
Witness was asked to state all he knew of
the events of June 18th and 18th, attendant
upon the loss of the Jeanette.
Ar was convalescent at the time, and
Went on deck at p. M. on June 18th, for an
hours exercise. The weather was clear and
there was pleasant and light breeze from
the northeast. The ship lay secured to the ice
on the starboard side, and as remember was
headed little cas- of SOUTH The ice on the
port side had opened the previous day, and
was about 200 yards distant, with smooth water
between it ana the ship. There were connect
90 leads at the time through which the ship
could have navigated. but in the vicinity were
2 number Of patches of water, like ponds, IN
tn@ ice The men went out to hunt as usual,
ana about p. m. | noticed the ice on the port
peam commenced to move towards the ship. 1t
was Immediately reported to the captain by
she watch, and the captain came deck. He
ordered the hunters recalled, and they return
ca, one by one, TO the ship, the last one reach
ing her about p. M. The ice then was in con-
tact with the ship, and she was heeling 15 to 20
degrees to starboard with heavy pressure
under her port bilge. The captain was on the
bridge giving orders about the boats, provis-
ions, etc. and all hands were on deck. Dur
ing the first pressure the ship was forced
astern, and when the pressure relaxed fell
back into her original place. The pressure
was very heavy, and gave forth kissing,
branching sound. Sc seral times the pressure
relaxed, and the ship rghted. About $40
machlnlst Walter Lee reported the ice coming
through the starboard coal bunker, and the
captain gave the order to "lower away to the
men previously stationed at the boats falls
AT this moment, Melville came on deck and
contradicted the statement of Lee and an or
der to hold on to the boats was Immediately
given. Between 2.45 and $50 quantity of
provisions Was placed on the ice to the star
board of the ship About $50 one watch
was sent to supper, and WORD passed to the
officers to get tea. At that time the ship was
heeling more than 20 degrees to starboard.'
At this point the court adjourned till to-
mOrr W.