The Russellville Democrat., 1882-03-30

the Search for the Lost Explorers and
 Their Records.
 The secretary of the navy has received the following:
 YAKuTz, Jan. 10, 1882. To the Honorable Secretary of the Navy,
 Washington, D. C.:
 SRI have the honor tn submit the fol- lowing plan for the search for the missing people of both boats also a schedule of provisions, list of outfits and other articles necessary for six months, and if compelled to remain at the Lena delta for the river to freeze over before being able to return to Yakutz, supplies to be duplicated by the Russian authorities at Yakutz. It may be well to state at this point that all supplies used at Belun or the Lena delta are carried on pack horses or deer sleds for distance of 1000 yersts and travel from Belun to Yakutz is only practicable in the winter time. Therefore t may be possible that we may be obliged to remain at or near Belun until November, 1882 The search will be carried on by three parties as follows;
 propose to establish depot at Belun for all supplies, with the centre of oppera- tions at Two Crosses near Mt. Jai one party to go as far north as Sister Anek and work back to Two Crosses; one party to work south half way to Bulcour; one party to work from Bulcour north to Two Crosses. These three parties should be able to search the whole of the country between Sister Anek ard Bulcour in twenty days after leaving the depot. This being completed, the depot will be moved to Cathcoritee, I. C between Sister Anek and Guvina, one party to follow the southern and western branches of the Lenaas far as the River Alanes; the second party to follow the north western branch of the Lena and work up towards Upper Belun; the third party to work from Upper Belun on the north west coast southwest to meet the second party. This will complete the search for Lieuts. DeLong and Chipp as far west as the inner Alanek. This being completed they will establish depot at Provainia, No. 6; two parties to start from Provainia and one party to follow the north branch of the Lena, the other to follow the coast line east and west until they meet, both return iRg across the country to Proyainia. Then move the depot to Provainia at No. IS, enc party to entirely circumscribs the southern portion of the country from No. IS, first southeast then north, turning southwest, then turning east, back to Provainia; the two other parties to search the coast as far as Barkin and west as far as the branch leading southwest to Usterda.
 Then move the depot to Bucoff and search all the coast line from Bucoff to Bight-of the day; two parties to go east from Bucoff to the coast line and party to work north and east to it's north cape, then back to Bucof. The other party to go south and meet the first party, both returning to BucoH This can be accomplished before the snow floods set in.
 It will be necessary to wait the melting of the ice in the river before attem pting to work along the coast in boat toward the lana river. From the position of the three boats before separating only 50 miles north west of Barkin, and the gale coming from the northwest, it seems impossible for the second cutter to be driven to the eastward of the lana. .t
 By advice and consent of Gen. Tcheniroff, I have hired Buhokoff for one hundred roubles per month, and Cossack Sergt. Peter Kolenkin at fifty roubles per month, also to supply them with food and clothing during our absence I have telegraphed MT. Siberikoff owner of the steamer Lena, to detail Capt. Guenbeck of the Lena to- ac- company me to Lena Delta to assist in the search. Three travelling parties will be ar ranged as follows: A. Engineer Melville
 
 and driver; second party, Wm. c. F. Min derman (sea) and Buhokoff with yokat, dog sled and driver; the third party, to con sist of James H. Bartlett, tirst-class fireman and a Cassack sergeant, Kolenkin, with yokat, dog sled and driver. Reindeer flesh and fish can be procured during the sum- mer at the Lena Delta. I will be at Belun by Feb Is, and the search is to commence March l, or as soon as the spring storms will permit.
 Enclosed please find a ration table and chart of the Lena Delta, with depots mark ed thereon also copies of letters to Gen. Tchesirof by his request, about the con duct of people in his district; copy of the telegram to Mr. Siberikotf tor services of Capt. Gruenbeek and of copy of instrue- tions to Bieschoff oi Belun to continue the search until my return. Instructions were written at Yer Kinansk and translated by an exile and sent back to Bieschof he having verbal instructions to commence search at once, reward being offered for the recovery of the people, books or papers. Gsn P Tchenirof has guaranteed to have all supplies at Belun by February 15. My party will leave as soon as possible and live on such food as the country affords %
 have the honor to be, etc., s-Ba
 GEO, w. MELVILLE, s.. --
 ?. A. Engineer, U, s N.