Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-10
The Retreat from the Jeanette
ENGINEER AKLvIILR's ACCOUNT OF THE ROUGH z,
PHRIENCRa on TIE HYpI nprps

ENGINEER AKLvHLR's ACCOUNT OF THE ROUGH Ex-
PERIENcBs OF THE EXPLORERS.
Upon the assembling of the Jeanette board OF
inquiry this morning Mr.. Melville was asked to
give narrative account Of the retreat after the
sinking OF the Jeanette. He said: The retreat
began June Is, the men working by night to avoid
the glare as much as possible, and also for the
reason that they could sleep warmer during the
charge OF the working party and TO carry the first
cutter as FAR as the farthest flag, (Which had been
march, Upon returning to the first camp for
another boat 1t was found that the ice had opened
ana capt DE Long and the men with him were
the lead OF open water: The ice was
moving quite rapidIy, and it was neces-
and got the sleds and boats over as quickly as pos
sible. During the first day all the boats and sleds
were advanced to the place where the provisions
relash the seds and In the mean time people were
sent back to the original camp to bring up lot OF
wood for fuel and some loose provision Canned
Capt De Long had prepared a cask in which he
wreck and requesting the Under to send it to wash
lngton 1t was marked on the outside for the
finder to look within. A lot of arms and old
Every person, except the sick, assisted the
first day In moving the boats and sleds.
tain told MI Danenhower to remain i'm with With
the sick people. On this days march Mr.
Collins and Machinist Lee were taken with cramps.
The party succeeded In moving all the boats and
effects as far as the FIRST cutter had previously
been advanced.
The whole working force at this time had to
pass back and forth about thirteen times to make
one full trip with all the baggage That is to saw
1t was necessary to march 10 miles for each mile
the medical tent would be first advanced, and the
sick people would remain there and be cared for
until the entire party had come up. During all
this time the men were constantly wet up to their
knees. and frequently up to their shoulders.
During the first few days the party subsisted en-
t1rely on the loose provisions consisting OF canned
chickens pigs feet, mutton broth, and other canned
goods. II was understood at the start, that there
were sixty days ratiOns OF bread-a half pound per
day per man Witness directed Seaman Gortz to
divide the ratons evenly in his witness tent daily
AS the summer advanced, and the sun became
stronger, the snow melted and ran OF the Ice,
making 1t much easier to draw the loads and dmln-
fishing the number OF trips. 1t was impossible TO
march in any direction In straight line. The Ice
flags were set up by compass by the comma ndlng
officer and MI. Barton, and then the best roads
through the hammocks were picked out When
the party generally waded through, bus with the
bread sled this was avoided as much as possible
by making detours.
During this march it was understood that they
were heading for the new Siberian Islands, which,
before the loss of the Jeanette were Thought to
be the nearest land to the ship. After the march
an observation OF the sun and told witness he was
very much surprised to ind they had driued SO
barely able to stagger along. All hands, at this
time, were bright and cheerful the men singing as
they hauled the sleda
COLLINS RELIEVED FROM DUTY.
AFTER some days Capt belong directed Mr.. Col
Inns not to do any more work. Owing to con-
yersation between Capt belong and Mr.. Collins
In regard to disobed1ence OF orders on the part
of MIR: Collins, the captain relieved him from duty
but did not put him under arrest He was
free to come and go as he pleased, simply
getting permission from the captain or executive
Officer Witness did not know the reason why
Collins was directed at this time not to do any
duty MT. Collins spoke to witness about 1t at the
time, and said he had been directed not to per.
form any further duty. The captain had pre-
viousiy spoken to witness about II, and had
charged him not to permit Mr.. Collins to do any
more duty. Up to this time Mr.. Collins had been
working with the road party
CHIP BRAKES DOWN.
At this time Mr.. Ch1pp completely broke down,
and the captain ordered him to get on a sled and
be carried. 1.-THE poor fellow" said witness,
"turned over on his face ana cried out: 1T is All
over. You had better leave me behind.m De Long
said: mo man shall be left behind while another
man lives to haul HIM" Soon after this MT. Cnipp
began TO get better rapidly, and again took charge
OF the working party.