New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-15
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.
THE JEANETTE BOARD OF INQUIRY.


IrEUrEyA~r DASESEpwER's EXAMINATION BE-
GrS-rrIE RrPAIR WORK WELL DONE
WAsTuSGroN Oct. 14.-The Jeanette Board
of Inqairy began the ninaton OF Lieutenant 'ouh
W. Danenhower this morning witness SAID Ihl' ou
April l. 1873. having been detailed by the navy Depart
ment he reported the Commandaht at the Mare
Island Navy Yard to duty on the Jeanette Az
the instance Of Captain DE Long lie was ordered TO re-
port tho progress OF the repairs anu
alterations upon ship, written specifications or
which we're furnished him by Captain De Lolg Ihese
specifications lost board the Jeanette 10 the
question Where the Jeanette now y
replied she sank in thrtyeigh fathoms OF water on
the 18th OF June 1881 latitude II 49, NORTH longitude
15G east"
Witness described in detail the repairs which were
made upon the hull the Jeanette under his super
vision at Mare Island Navy Yard, and stated that
the work nrsclass in every particular He added:
1.-TWO men were constantly on board who were LOOKING
out for our interests These stephens. practical
aud thorough shipcarpenter who was lost with Lieu
tenant Chpp's party and JACK Cole,
boatswain, who returned with me from Siberia
and is in the insane asylum Both OF these
men were special employees OF Mr. Bennett
and frequently availed myself OF the valuable prac-
teal suggestions Mr. stephens. The authorities 81 Tue
yard their part afforded every facility On APTt
20 Lieutenant Clpp arrSed a Sah fTGsCU ga
t. charge of the work OF preparing Her O1uea
directions from Captain De Long witness therefore
Turned over everything Lieutenant Chipp except tue
matter Of disbursements At this date the work OF re-
pairing and strengthening the hull OF the ship was pe
IDEALLY completed After the vessel came out OF tne u9JA
her boilers hosted in, heavy trusses were paee
her man coal bunker space, and repairs 70 her rigging
were made under the direction OF Lieu enant Chlpp
Witness was asked, "What was your opinion OF ner
spars as strength, and also as affecting her sall
qualities He replied: The spars were all rlgnt as 70
Strength. thought she should have been resparred
because would not tack under sail alone witness
thought the Jeanette made as strong as 1t was pos
sbe 10 render her, and that the devatl0ns from tue
recommendation. the first board were Improvements
and added 10 her strength He Thought he knew VINO
was responsible for these deyatons, but ala not care
positively TO state. The question was not pressed,
though the impression given that the GeIIatlons
were al the instance Of Captain De Long. witness
thought the model of the Jeanette not suited 20
Arctic cruising The clipper build with flare outside ana
ket e bottom would be better, because the Ice Wouu
shove under and left the vessel better than she were
wedgeshaped. ..
In describing the model OF the Jeannette. Leutenan
DanenhOWer said " She single frame vessel anu
lightly built. Her greatest breadth was az the lore
chains Just a0af the tOremast From that point 20 near
the mainmast she had very full under water D0dy'
She was very much away fore and aft ana her SIDES
tumblei home slightly from above the water me heI
stern protected iron straps, a. was the case
with her bow"