Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-16
THE LOST JEANETTE.
DanenhOwer on the Stand.

WASHINGTON, October 1.-THE Jeanette
board OF inquiry this morning began the
examination Of Lieut.. Jno. W. Danenhower.
Witness joined the Jeanette at Hayre.
France, on July 2, 1878, and made the vow
age to San Francisco in her, arriving there
December IS, 1873. Some months
previous to joining the ship
he had expressed his willingness TO On unon
the proposed Arctic expedition, and In June,
1873, he received a telegram at SMYRNA
from JAS Gordon Bennett, saying that his
services were accepted. After reaching San
francisco witness came East to visit friends.
On the LIST of April, 1879, having been de-
tailed by the Navy Department, witness re-
ported to the Commandant at Mare Island
navy yard to resume duty on the Jeanette.
At the instance of DeLong he was ordered
to report the progress OF the repairs and
alterations upon the ship, written speciics-
tlons Tor which were furnished him by De-
Long. Witness was unable to produce these
specifications in evidence, as they were lost
on board the Jeanette.
"Where Is the Jennette now?"
witness slowly replied: "She sank in
thirtv-eight fathOms Of water on the 18Th
OF June, 1881, in latitude n degrees Is
minutes north, longitude 156 degrees 6
minutes east"
II ICE pOuoc " luQuIFlSS W1GQ6SS described
In detail the repairs which were made upon
the hull Of the Jeanette under his SUPER
vision at Mare Island navy yard, and stated
thas the work was first class in every particu-
lar. de added: 1.-TWO men were constantly
on board who were looking out
for our interests. These were Mr..
stephens, a practical and thorough
ship carpenter, who was lost with Lieuten-
ant Chipp's party, and Jack Cole, the boat
swain od H.
siberia and is now In the insane aeylum
Both OF these men were special employees of
Mr. Bennett, and | frequently availed my
self OF the valuable practical suggestions
OF Stephens. The authorities at
the yard afforded every facility. On the
23d OF April Lieutenant Chipp arrived at
San Francisco, and, as he was to be execu-
tive officer OF the ship, he was anxious to
assume charge OF the work of preparing her
under directions from DeLong. Witness,
therefore, turned over everything to Lieut..
Chipp, except the matter of disbursements.
At this date the work of repairing and
strengthening the hull of the YES
sci was practically completed. After
the vessel came out Of the dock
her boilers were housed in. Heavy trusses
were placed III her main coal bunker space.
and repairs to her rigging were made under
direction of Lieut.. Chipp."
witness was asked: "What was your
opinion OF her spars as to strength, and also
as affecting her sailing qualities?"
"Her spars were all right as to strength.
thought she should have been repaired be-
cause she could not tack under SAIL"
Witness then described the rig OF the
Jeannette, which was that of a barkentine,
with patent rolling topsails.
AT IL O'Clock the board took recess for
half an hour. After the recess the examina-
tlon OF Lieut.. Danenhower was resumed.
Witness thought the Jeanette was made as
strong as 1t was possible to render her, and
that the deviatiOns from the recommends
tions OF the first board were improvements
and added to her strength. He thought ne
knew who was responsible for these devis-
tions, but did not care positively to state.
The question was not pressed, though the i'm
preston was given that the deviations were
at the instance Of DeLong. Witness thought
the model Of the Jeanette was not suited
to Arctic cruising. A clipper build, with
flare outside and Kettle bottomed, would, in
the opinion OF witness, be better, because
1t would shove under and leave the vessel
better than II she were wedge-shaped. In
describing the model of the Jeanette,
Lieutenant DAnenhower said she was
a single frame vessel, and lightly
built. Her greatest breadth was at
the forechains, Just abaft foremast.
From that point to the near mainmast she
had very full under water body. She was
very much cut-away fore and aft, and her
sides tumbled home slightly from above
water line. Her stern was not protected
with iron straps, as was the case with her
DOW. At this point the court adjourned till