The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-05-12
IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
Experience of Hancock County man,
One of the Jeanette Survivors.


Herbert w, Leach, of Penobscot, Me-, was
one of the Jeannette's crew. He was IN The
boat with Melville, and escaped safely with his
companions. His mother recently received
letter from him, dated Irkutsk, Feb. "a, which
the Ellsworth American prints entire, as fol-
lows: 200,
IRKoUTsK, Feb. "a, 1882
My DEAR MOTHER:
Your welcome letter came to hand last night.
was at party, enjoying myself as wen as
possible for me to do here, when one OF the
boys came running in and gave me nine letters
from home. Oh, mother, you should nave
seen me dance around the room. Inc young
ladies all thought [ was crazy. Iney were
about right. After nearly three years wlthout
hearing one single word from home, the news,
when it did come, quite upset me. wen,
will try to give an account oil myself VIII
begin at the beginning.
After passing through Behring's Strait we
stood north until we struck the.ice. we ran
into it and it closed around u.s. We had thirty
three of the best boys on board that ever
walked ships deck Poor fellowsl only ttar-
teen are left to tell the sad tale. After getting
into the ice we made preparations to spend the
winter, expectingsto get out the following sum
mer. We spent the winter very pleasantiy-
had theatricals Christmas and New Year. 1t
was very cold, but we all enjoyed 1t tlp-top
That winter passed, and SO did the summer,
without any signs of our being released, so we
made up our minds to stay another winter. IL
passed quite pleasantly, although three montnS
of the time we did not see the sun. It looked
good when it did come up: THINK IL was
worth waiting for.
We laid in the ice until June, when the snfp
-FOUR home) was taken from us. Then our
hardships began. Oh mother, you can nave
no idea of what we went through. When !
look back it seems more like strange dream
fha., Int IL is ana We
that pulled through are safe. About elgnt
DAYS before we reached the coast we encouh-
tered heavy gale, which nearly put an end 70
our sufferings. When it commenced TO pioW
the lieutenant put me at the helm. liz was
very cold, and the boat was nearly full OF wa
ter all the time, in spite OF the mems balllng
for dear life 1 sat at the helm about fourteen
hours before the wind abated enough for me to
be relieved. When the time came, rose up
and fell flat into the bottom of the boat My
feet were frozen stiff, and my legs were chilled
up to my body SO badly that think they could
have been taken off without my feeling it.
When we cot ashore was in tight fix. L
could not walk and was in much pain and my
feet had begun to putrefy. Bartlett, one OF
the men, took knife and cut out the corrupt
places and cut about half of one OF my great
toes off leaving about half an inch OF the bone
sticking out of the end. About month ago
found doctor who took it off. 1t troubles me
to walk now and think that it will for some
IlIn0.
Guess have written enough about my trials,
will tell you something about the people find
here in Irkoutsk. The ladies here call me the
saviour-they have heard about the boat
scrape. We are received BY the best families
in town, They seem to think it feather in
their caps to have the Americans call on them.
make myself as agreeable as possible. IDe
life is not altogether crushed out of me if am
a little run down. By the way they are going
to form a search party and think it is my du-
ty to Join it and search for the poor boys that
are left don't know yer whether shall go
or not II do you must not worry about me
for we shall not start before spring, and will
get back next fall. SO you see it will not be
long to wait and no risk to run, and besides
you want to see your son do by another as you
would have another do by him. Gracious,
how want to see the folks at home. Give
my love to everybody in town and out, keep the
lions share for yourself, and believe me,
Your loving son,
HERBERT.