Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-23

hSGlNEEk MELVILLE FURTHER EXAMINED TO-DAY
The reading and approval OF the record OF the
past two days occupied the attention OF the JEAN
nette board OF inquiry for about two hours this
morning, after which Chief Engineer Melville was
called and was questioned by the board. In reply,
witness stated that while at Jamavaioch there
was put little hunting or shooting by their party
as there was hardly any game. Mr.. Newcomb did
some hunting with a shotgun In regard to
THE PHYsI Al 20 D II Y OF THE PARTY
from the time they reached Jamavaloch witness
said: After the first IS days all except Leach were
able to walk His feet and legs were In a very
bad condition until after his arrival at Yakutsk.
Mr.. Danenhowers eyes appeared to trouble him
as he always complained that the smoke In the
ut hurt his eyes The ability of the party to
prosecute a search for the people or the first cut
ter was limited by the means at their disposal,
bv the state of the ice, and by the
want Of food, 'clothlng and guides
To the best OF his knowledge and belief witness
The greatest difficulties which he had to encounter
were the inability or his party to fully understand
the natives and to make themselves understood by
them, and the fact that Ii impossible with no
money or means at their disposal to secure or COM
pei the aid of the natives until it was fully au-
thor1Zed by the Russian authorities.
CERTAIN THAT THEY WERE DEAD.
Witness said that when he went for the log
books and records left by belong he was morally
certain that at that time the people OF the first
cutter were all dead. Before he started both Mn
derman and Noros told him 1t would be useless to
look for the first cutters party before spring,
beyond possibility of doubt they were long since
all dead.
COLLINS AND DE LONG.
At one OF the reported difficulties between Mr..
Collins and Capt. De Long, witness believed MI.
Danenhower was present. Mr.. Collins was treated
Just as any other officer, and with the same co =
diality. At one time NJ. Collins took a notion
.Of the captain. When the captain entered the
wardreom mornings it was his custom to say"Good
morning, gentlemen and we all responded with
used to turn his back when he saw the captain
coming In and look away or walk away without
responding. Mr. Newcomb and Mr.. Collins used
TO talk and walk together more than they did
with any OF the other officers. and were
on more intimate terms with each other than with
the mess on account of their being CT villain officers,
but all were treated with the same courtesy and
upon an equal footing
MEN WHO DESERVE COMBINATION.
Question Are there no others among the officers
and men of the Jeannette's crew than those you
have already mentioned who are deserving Of
commentator?
Answer.-ThOSe have named are especially de-
serving OF mention. The general opinion aboard
the ship was that Mr. Chipp was the best seaman
on the Jeanette and was thorough of1icer in all
respects. Seamen Manson and Leach were espe-
eay faithful hth while in the whaeboat The
naming at the tier for twelve hours.
MELvILLE's TRIBUTE TO DE LONG.
81 did not know" said the witness, shat it
would be deemed proper for me to pass Judgment
upon my commanding officer; but to my mind he
was as good a man as could be assigned to any
duty at any time or in any place. He
always seemed equal to any emergency
and all that he did was done with his whole soul
Had supposed that would be permitted to speak
or my commanding or1icer, or his conduct, should
not have allowed five minutes to pass without
bearing my testimony to his worth and unfalter-
Ing devotion to duty. But words OF mine
are OF little value beside the monument
which his record has erected to his
heroism and unwavering fidelity to the service
and to the well-beihg or those entrusted to his
charge.
The court having no further questions to pro-
pose adjourned until 10 a. m tomorrow. The
next two days will probably be occupied in read
Ing over to the witness his entire testimony before
the board.