Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-28
JEANETTE SURVIVORS
VISIT THEIR INSANE CoMRADE AND TALL
OVER THEIR ADVENTURES

| VISIT THEIR INSANE CoMRADE AND TALK
OVER THEIR ADVENTURES
| WASHINGTON, September 27.-Engineer
| Melville, after breakfast Sunday morning
| together with Lieut.. Dsnenhower and Sea.
man Noros and Ninderman, drove across the
eastern branch of the Potomsc to the Gov
ernment HosRI al for the Insane, where they
visited Cole, the insane sailor brought home
by Danenhower. The meeting between the
little party and the poor fellow, who lost his
| reason during the terrible "Trip back from the
| delta of The Lena, was very affecting 10 those
who witnessed it. Cole seems to be better,
but is still practically unconscious to the
world. Alter their return from the Hospital
for the Insane the officers left the seamen
lat the Ebbitt House and took long drive to-
gether while they talked their adventures
over. Then Eisenhower took Melville
to his home in Georgetown, where he
spent the afternoon with Danenhower
and his family. They went TO church to-
gether before evening. Melville said that
he would only be here for two or three days,
returning as soon as possible 10 Philsdel-
phia. He reported formally at the Navy
Department Monday, turning over TO the
department at the came time two big chests
full OF documents and effects belonging to
the Jeanette cruise. He will, as soon as he
gets his home affairs Strengthened out, pre-
pare his report ON the cruise of the Jean
netle and his adventures since. He said
that there was no warrant for the statement
that he and Danenhower were on unfriendly
terms. He said that on the contrary they
were on friendly terms on the journey from
the Jeanette TO civilization. They
friends in Washington. They were and
always had been excellent friends,
and there was no reason why they
should not be. Each had done his dutv. He
(Melville) had done all that any man could
have done TO rescue belong aud his party.
He would have succeeded had success been
possible. 1t was not, under the terrible cir
cumstances surrounding the search
Melville added tina: the coming investiga-
ton by the Navy Department into the loss
of the Jeanette would yield results no more
important than those of any of n hundred
similar Investigations. Every time United
States ship is lost an nvsstigation is ordered
and had. The only difference between the
proposed investigation and the average in-
vesligation is that this investigation was
ordered by Congress; there would be no dit
ference in the result.
There was nothing upon which sensational
results could be predicated. The loss OF the
Jeanette was not the result of misconduct
or the neglect Of duty, and nothing more
could be done than TO describe il as Il &C.
CURED. This would be done fully and oon-
Dleteiy DIV himself and ms comrades. EnRl-
peer Melville expressed himself pleased
with the welcome he had received from his
countrymen here, and in Philadelphia and
New York, AZ well as his intention of rest
ing a little as soon as possible.
HIS LONG CRUISE ENDED.
Chief Engineer Melville's memorable
cruise ended Monday, when he formally re-
ported his return to the Acting Secretsry of
the Navy. The gallant navigator borrowed
full dress uniform from brother officer
who possessed suit, and thus duly fur
nished forth he presented himself at the
department, and said: "Mr. Secretary, /
have the honor 10 report my return and TO
turn over 10 you two seamen who have been
Ia my charge" There was no farther cere-
mony, and after the announcement the group
of officers present chatted for some time and
then separated. Mr.. Melville therefore, is
on waiting orders without responsibilities or
duties. 1t shows the fascination which
Arctic search has, however, on its votaries
that on the first night of his freedom, Eugi- |
neer Melville said he would be willing 10
take command of another expedition to the
North Pole, provided he could have full COM |
mand and could have ship built and man.
aged and equipped to suit him. He be-
lleves that The course to the pole is by |
the st. Joseph's Land route. Mr.. Melville, |
while relieved from all further service in the |
line OF ordinary duty, was directed TO con-
Time his custody Of the records Of the expe- |
dition, which he found and has preserved
complete and intact. The private letters aud
journals Of belong will be handed 10 his |
wife whenever she comes 10 claim them. The |
other records will remain in care of Mr. Mel |
vile until they are produced at the official
investigation soon to be held at the dePar:-
ment TO inquire into the loss of the vessel |
and the other misadventures of the expedi- |
ton. These records are of the greatest his
torical value, and were preserved with ex-
treme care by belong 10 the end, when they |
were starving. One Of the very last acts Of
DsLong was to attempt TO take them to a
place of safety. When published they will
be found of great interest and will shed much
new light on the work OF the expedition. Mr..
Melville says that only a small portion OF
them has yet been printed and that the
books contain large number OF careful
m M nd bate