The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-07-28
THE LOST JEANETTE.
An Investigation TO be Made Concerning
the Conduct of tho Oflicern.

Au AnSeStiShtiOnt 10 be Made Concerning
the Conduct of tho Officers.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-Some days since
Representative Washburne, OF Minnesota,
received letter from reliable and intel
lgent gentleman Of Minneapolis, who lost
brother in the Jeanette expedition to
the Arctic Seas. The letter makes very
serious charges against several officers con-
nected with the expedition and asked that
4 special committee Of the House be ap-
pointed to investigate the matter. In the
present temper of the House Mr.. WASH
Durne finds it impracticable to pass reso-
luton raising ouch committee, but in lieu
thereof to-day offered q resolution request.
ing the Secretary OF the Navy to ap-
point board to make the investigation.
This resolution was referred to the Com.
mittee on Naval Affairs md will undoubt-
edly be favorably reported by it within
day or two. 1t is understood that the
Secretary OF the Navy is in hearty accord
with this movement and desires most
searching investigation. The court OF in
quiry is to investigate all the circumstances
attending the loss in the Arctic seas OF the
exploring steamer Jeanette and the death
Of Lieutenant Commander De Long aud
others Of her officers and men. The inves-
tigation is to include an inquiry into the
condition OF the vessel on her departure,
her management up to the time Of her
destruction, the provisions made and the
plans adopted for the escape OF her several
boat crews upon their leaving the wreck,
the efforts made by the various officers to
insure the safety OF the parties under their
immediate charge and for the relief OF the
other parties. An inquiry is also TO be
made into the, general conduct and me.its
of each OF the officers and men OF the IL
fated expedition and the finding Of su.h
court OF inquiry is TO be submitted TO Con-
sress.
NIISNEAroLls, July 26.-Dr. D. F. COL
Inns, OF this city, the brother Of Jerome J.
Collins, who lost his life with Lieutenant
DeLong, Commander Of the Jeannette, has
been interviewed regarding his letter to
Representative Washburne, and his rea.
sons for asking an investigation by Con-
gress. DR.. Collins went to New York, met
Danenhower on his arrival there, and had
several extended private, conversations
with him and with DIR. Newcomb, and his
charges arc based on these interviews COL
Inns charges that after the Melivillc-Dan-
enhower party reached Il place OF safety,
Danenhowcr nsked permission to search
for Dc Long and party. Melville refused,
and ordered Danenhower south, saying he
would make the search himself; that Mel
vile soon aitor went south himself, without
making the search, and remained south
until after receiving instructions from
Washington 10 return north. DR.. Collins
alleges that all the circumstances since de-
vcloped showed that had Melville made
energetic search at the beginning, or per-
mittel Danenhower to do so, De Long and
his party would have been saved. Col
lins also alleges that jealousy existed
among the officers OF the expedition such
us make failure certain from the start; that
entering the ice pack was IN inexcusable
blunder; that in tho retreat inferior boats
and instruments were taken and better
ones left OH board. He also alleges that
the provisions with which tho Jeanette
was fitted out were inferior in quality and
quantity. DR.. Collins concludes by saying:
"Danenhowcr is anxious for an investiga-
ton, and will have strong evidence to pre-
sent. He expressed TO me willingness to
tell tho whole story to an investigating
board, but will otherwise keep close
mouth. Dr.. Ncwcomb is also ready for it.
In my opinion,if the investigation is made,
it will demonstrate beyond u doubt that
Belongs party might have been saved"