Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-13
Rough Arctic Experiences.


At the adjournment of the Jeanette board Of
inquiry on Saturday Mr.. Melville had reached that
point In his narrative where the Jeanette crew
landed on the island Of Kotelnoi. Resuming wit
ness said: son landing the tents were set up and
fires built and all hands made themselves as COM
Portable as possible. While at the ten-day camp
the provisions ha been divided between the three
boats The next day, after landing on Kotelnoi.
parties started out to hunt. Frequent reindeer
tracks were seen but no game Before landing Mr.
NeWcomb had shot from the bow Of the whale
poat several ducks, which were divided among the
meSseS. While engaged In dragging the boats to
make a ianulng MI Dunbar fell In a faint, which
was attributed by the doctor to heat attack, and
the doctor ordered him to deSiSt from any further
work or that kind
IN THE BOATS AGAIN.
On the 9th of September, the boats put out from
KotelnO to make the run to the southwest to
StolbOboi, the nearest island. Before leaving
Kotelno all the pans and kettles were filled with
fresh water. The wind was very fresh, aud great
difficulty was experienced In keeping free from ice
All passed rough night; it was very cold, and all
hands were very wet and pretty badly used up.
The next morning the island of StolDoboI was In
on foe piece, ana the party remained there till
the next morning, when they again hauled out
and stood to the westward, rowing and pulling the
island OF Semeonovski, and near night camped on
foe piece; the next morning the island was II
miles distant
SUCCESSFUL HUNTING
AT noon landing was made and the people
had dinner Deer and bear tracks were seen on
the island and hunting parties sent out A doe
was Killed and portion was cooked for supper.
Mr. NewcOmb also shot two geese and some other
birds. The weather was cold, wet and raw. On
deer. but it " was Unsuccessful. The day ' was vas
passed on the island and repairs were made to
the boats, Seaman Ninderman fitted canvass
washboards to the whale boat to assist in keep
Ing out the water About a. m. Monday the boats
put off and headed southwark, Capt DeLong
saying it was about 80 miles to BarkiI, the point
destination. r. Iat
the island OF Washeel and left some records.
Towards night the wind freshened and the boats
reefe1 down while in the loose ice. By p. M,
1t was blowing gale and the boats were taking
in considerable water. Witness had orders to
keep astern Of the first cutter, but as the whale
DOat was the faster boat, resort was had to lower
Ing the sail, but when this was done the sea came
IN over the stern. About this time the whale
cutter on her weather bow. Captain belong
signalled, and witness ordered the sail lowered SO
as to DRIFT down W thin hail The sea, however,
Long, apparently seeing the status OF the whale
boat, waved his hand as witness interpreted it. to
indicate TO him that he did net desire to hail.
Witness understood the signal to mean that he
should run before the wind and look out for his
own boat, regardless OF the previous orders "to
keep at all times Within sight OF the first cutter"
PARTING OF THE BOATS.
In few minutes the whaleboat was out of sight
OF the other two boats. This was the last witness
ever saw OF the second cutter or her people. and
the last he saw OF the people in the first cutter
until he found them dead in the Lena delta Wit
ness said to Mr.. Danenhower: " II this keeps up it
Will be necessary to heave the boat tor Danen-
mower replied: :" Yes. Melville it should have been
done BEFORE"
After some discussion and conference they set
about making drag. Danenhower thought they
must hold On to them, but can use the tent poles
Ihis m wa was afterwards done and when all was ready
me heave her tori witness reflected If there was
any advantage to be derived from using the expe-
rience OF professional man it was his (witness)
In
ahead" Mr.. Danenhower gave the orders Wit
ness described the method Of making this man
nvfe ana the result corroboratng the details
previously given Dy Lieut. DanenhOWer.
TO THE MOUTH OF THE LENA.
Mr.Melville continued the narrative OF the VOYAGE
at some length. On the 18th witness estimatei
that they We're about so miles from L'na delta for
Wnlch tney headed. The coast lire on the eastern
side of the delta was made on the 10th. Mr.. Da-
nenhoWer advised going southwark toward the
mountains, but Witnesses orders were to follow
the coast line northward to Barkin.
LANDING
After consulting with The people in the boat.
WtncsS decidea that,ff he did not 1nd a wider and
deeper channel, to 60 out again, end put for Bar
kim Subs eQuently he concluded to go ahead in
dnea delta a IN the hope Of meeting some natives.
ioWaru evening they found hut with evidences
of having recently been occupied, and they landed,
made a ire and had supper. Tie next morning
they reembarked The witness continued his deS-
cription OF the slow Journey along the delta, the
men being nearly all badly crippled.
A MEETING WITH NATIVES
On Inc lStn as they were about putting OIL
again 10 reach the houses, say three canoes With
native In each. Signalled for them to come up.
After much hesitation one OF the
natives came alongside He was given
some pemmican, which reassured him.
Witness told the men to hold on to his canoe,
which was done. This greatly alarmed him. at
We're friendly the other canoes came aIonsde.
Soon after they landed I and made tea.
The natives furnished goose and venison.
and an exchange OF provisions was made
During dinner all hands got on COED terms and by
signs and drawings. witness made them under
The natives Indicated by signs that it could not be
done that they would all die Witness male a
sketch with one canoe and a mnn padding it, fo:-
noes
The natives understood this and piloted the
party as they desired TO the village which they
had eeen trying to reach. The ;niyht WIS D. sSed
In their huf, folio