The Evening critic., 1882-11-07
THE JEANNErrE INQUIRY.
Engineer Melville Continues His
Narrative To-day.


Chief Enginocr Melville appeared promptly
before tho Jeanette Investigating Board to-
day, and resumed his narrative. lie stated
the occupation Of tho officers and crew during
the time that the Jeanette was fast In tho Ice.
lie said there was less disagreement among
the officers Of the Jeanette mess than thero
had been In many messes he had served lu for
the past twenty.one years.
In the early part OF the cruise cards woro
played by the officers for amusement, but he
mover played cards and did not know how TO
play. During the day any person, officer or
man, could take their guns and
Hunt over the Eioc for Any Dis
tnnce,
the only restriction being to bo on board ship
by sundown or at tho dropping of tho ball
from the masthead. The sun getting warm
about the middle OF March proper steps were
taken TO easo the ship In case sho should at
tempt TO rise. About March ] 8 the ship had
drified so far bnck TO tho southward and east.
ward IA to bring the mountain peaks OF
Wrangel Land into sight. The weather during
March was foggy aud disngreoable. After
April /, 1880, the spring and summer routine
was enforced. Engineer Melville here gave
lengthy narrative of the health aud methods of
exercising the crew at that time.
. Continuing, Engineer Melville said that on
June tho ship was painted, her running
gear was oiled and she was gotten ready for
sea. Toward the lat Of July, 1880, long lanes
Of water commenced TO mako In many dlrec-
tions, but mono led TO tho ship. II was impos-
siblo to travel more than a mile in any direc.
tion without tho use Of boat. About this
time Mr.. Chipp and tho commanding ofncor
dismissed the feasibility OF blasting the Ice
between the ship and the nearest load.
AT this point recess was taken. Admiral
Rodgers was spectator to-day.
After Recess
Engineer Melville stated that Uhipp prepared
torpedoes 10 blow out tho Ice should the lat.
ter fall near n convenient lead. They were
not successfully used, however, and efforts at
cutting the ships way through wore made.
The cutting damaged the ships stern and the
scheme was abandoned. Ho said, In reply to
q leading question, that tho snip at that time
was somewhat moist, but as
Compared with Other Arctic Vessels
placed In n similar position that he had read
about he considered the Jeannette reasonably
dry. About September 10 tho forward part Of
winter, and the hammocklng was stored be-
low for emergencies. The crows knapsacks,
spare clothing, tents, cook stoves and oil other
email gear necessary TO be used on retreat,
or fire, or any disaster to tho ship was always
kept on deck in n convenient place to be
passed at n moments notice over the ships
side on the ice. Tho alcohol was stored under
the main hatch for safety. At times some of
the alcohol was stored on tho spar deck and
covered with tarpaulln.
November 1, tho regular winter routine
went Into erect. The ship lay very quiet dur
starting of certain metal fastenings. ON New
Years eve the crew gave minstrel entertain.
ment In the deckhouse. After that the com.
manding of1lcer made them an address, com.
mending their good behavior.
There had been no trouble, ho said, and no
man had been punished, and he hoped that n
year hence they would all be at their homes.
| Here, at ;i5, the court adjourned. To.mor.
row the eventSof the year 1881 Will be taken
up.