New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-24
A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DE LONG.

CLOSE OF THE TESTIMONY OF ENGINEER MELVILLE
REFORE THE JEANETTE BOARD OF INQUIRY.
WAsuIYGTON, Nov. 23.-The reading and
of the record of the past two days occupied the
attention OF the Jeanette Board of Inquiry Tor about
two hours this morning, after which Chief Engineer Mel
VILE was called and was questioned by the Board In
renv he stated that while at JamavaOch there was
little hunting or shooting by their party, as there was
hardly any game. Mr. NewcOmb did some hunting with
shet gun regard TO the physical condition OF the
party from time they reached Jamavaloch the VII
ness said After the first hfteen Gays al e1cept Leac
were able to walk His feet and legs were III very Ddu
condition until after his arrv2 at HakoutsX MI Dan
enhower's eyes appeared TO trouDle hl as nc al"9
companed that The smoke in the hut hurt bis eyes Pie
ability of the party to prosecute searon lor Tue Pe%Pe
posa by state of the ice and by the want OF lool
clothing aud gldes 10 h bat p Ss cnud to rescue ms
DanIons Tie greatest difficulties which lie had 10 en-
stand Ihe natives and to themselves understood by
them and the fact that 1t was inpo slDe WIN no money
the NATIVES until fully authorized by the Russian
The witness was asked "Did You believe when you
went for the books and records left by De Long tha
the people OF the first cutter were de "a %, "e
were all dead COmmQn-sense ana my own luug 'ueni
Soros told me it would be useless 10 look for The first
cutters party before spring as beyond aposSDy oi
DOUBT hey were long since ali dead" A.
in reply to further question, the witness
said: At one, OF the reported dimd Ia DC, DC,
witness believed Mr.. DanenhOwer was present.
MIR Colns was treated just any other Oi1cef ana
With The same cordially. At one tune Mf COIlus TOOK
notion NOT to respond to the usual gOodmorulng SAUL
,ations of the captain When the captain entered the
wasn-rOom mornings 1t was ms custom 10 suy eool
,norning gentlemen" aud we all responded with gOOd
,noruiug captain" Mr. Collins, however, u4fu 10 turn
his hack when the captain coming In ana look
away orwaik away without responding MT NoWcOmD
and Nr Collins used 10 talk AMI walk together more
than they di with any of her officers, and were on
more Intimate with each other than Win TIE
Others No distinction whateyer was made IN the mess
on account of their being CIVILIAN Oc"fs Dut all were
treated with the courtesy ana upon an equal lOos
sng. -, /, .eao.-. ,,a ..., .
O-Are there no others among the officers and men OF
fh Jeannettcs tnan those you have already lnen
toned WHO are deserving OF commendatlonf A-Ih0se
have named especially deserving OF mention The
general opinion aboard the ship was that Mr. CAlpp was
Inc best seaman the Jeanette ana was thorough
officer In all respects. Seamen Manson ana Leach were
esp,cay faithiu while in the walo boat the latter had
bs feet baGly frozen by remaining at the tllier Tor
twelve hours without relief. ii considered dan
oerous experiment 10 cnange cOXsvaus during the gaze
that II would be deemed proper for me 10 pass
Judgment upon my commanding ohcer, but 10 my
mind he was good man as could Dc assigned
do apy duty al any III any place. He always
seemed any emergency, ana ali that LIE ana was
done with lis whole soul. Had supposed that would
be permitted 10 speak of my commanding officer or his
conduct SHOULD have allowed live minutes TO pass
without bearing my testimony to his worm ana uIa
tarug devotion duty. But words OF mine OF Little
value beside ent which LIS record has erected
TO his herOisn and ayeIing fidelity 10 the service
and 10 The wtbelng of those intrused 10 lis charge.
Court having further questions 10 proI osc, ad
iourned until 10 "A. III. tomorrow.
the TWO days will, probably be spent in aiding
over 10 tine witness his entire testimony BIO Is the
Board.