Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-11-16
The Jeanette.

native villages IN Siberia, and recelv-
ed assistance. His tale has been
principally repetition of that alrea-
dy told by Lieutenant Danenhower.
At the conclusion of his direct testi-
mony, he was cross examined with
regard to the discipline maintained,
the causes of the dissensions, and his
opinion of the wisdom and seaman.
ship of DeLong.
Question--What, If you know, was
the particular overt act for which
Collins. in March, 1880, was, as you
say, suspended from dutyf
Answer-Of my own knowledge I
do not know, as I was not present in
the cabin at the time.
Questlon-In what spirits we're
the officers and men when they starts
ed on the retreat, and generally
during the march, and when at any
time did they show any despondencya
Answer-They were all in the best
of spirits when they started on the
retreat and during the march. They
were more thoughtful during the ten
days camp and drew closer to each
other in more serious discussion of
their prospect of reaching land and
safety.
Question-Was there a fair divis-
ion of labor made among all the
ships company during the retreat?
Answer-Yes, sir, with the exceps
ton of those on the sick list or sus
pended from duty.
Question-Was Collins fully able
to work at the time when he was
suspended from duty?
Answer think he was.
Question-Was tne delay at Benz
nett Island necessary for the repair
of the boats apd recuperation of the
men and no longer than was requi-
site for these purposes?
Answer-The men were in good
condition at the time, but rest was
undoubtedly good for them. I don't
think the boats could have been re-
paired to the same advantage on
the ice as upon the island. The de-
lay was no longer than necessary to
make repairs and effect new organ
ization preparatory to taking to the
boats.
Question-Were there any un-
necessary delays on the retreat, either
before or after the separation of the
boats
Answer-No, I do not believe
there were.
Question-Did the boats selected
for the retreat prove to be the best
possible in respect of their sea-
worthiness, their convenience OF
handling on the ice and their ca
pacity for carrying their crews and
equipments
Answer Yes, sir; l think it was
the best selection that could have
been made. They were the best
three boats on the Jeanette to
transport on ice. The crews were,
of course, accommodated to the car
rying capacity of the boats. In my
opinion, the second cutter foated
lighter than either of the others. As
to their sea- -worthiness, / don't think
the second cutter-she being shorter
was SO good sea boat, but ]
don't think either the whale boat OF
the first cutter could have reached
the Siberian coast but for the wealth
er cloths, which, in the case OF the
first cutter, were fully one foct high
while those of the second cutter
were only about six inches high
Taking ali things into consideration
I think the selection of these three
boats for the thirty>three people
was the best that could have been
made, and I believe that, had we
selected three boats as awkwark te
handle on ice as the whale boat, we
would never have gotten through.
Question.-What, if you know
was the controversy between Danen
hover and Newcombe, which resulted
in the suspension of the latter from
duty, at Bennett Island?
Answer.-I only know from talk.
ing in camp; I was not a witness.
Questien.-What arrangements, il
any, were made for communicating
between the boats by signalss
Answer.-None whatever, that
know of.
Other questions developed the fac
that Melville and Danenhower are a
variance on a good many points
Melville thinks the delay of ter
days on Bennett Island was unavoid
able, and was to the advantage o.
the party; that the best selection ot
boats was made that was possible
that the quickest possible methoc
of reaching open water was adopted
and that the route chosen was
the best one to reach the OBJ
jective point. Upon all these
matters Danenhower has expressed
contrary opinions as well as upor
others of less Importance. Witness
believed Collins had not been restor'
ed to duty when the retreat hogan
He was asked if it would have beer
an advantage to have had his ser
vices in dragging theboats of thos'
who were under suspension, and re-
piled, without doubt we required
all the working fore we could get
and could we have had the services
of these who were suspended it woult
have ightened the labor of thos,
who were doing work.
Question-How long did Collins
remain under suspension?
Answer From the time of his sus
pension, while on board the ship
until we separated on the night o
Sept. 18th, 1881.
Question-Was Lieutenant Danen
hover able to do duty from Septem
Der 18th, 1881, to September 9th
1887
Answer-From September 18th