New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-06
that all Of his correspondence both with Mr.. Ben
nett and the Navy Department, was carried on.

nett and tho Navy Department, was earned on
William c. Wotton. Mrs. De Longs brother,
showed the reporter letters written from San Fran
cisco just previous to the sailing Of the Jeanette
for the Arctic seas, in which he speaks hopefully of
his prospective voyage. "He always insisted" said
Mr.. Wotton. that he would come back. He told his
wife that although the ship might be wrecked, he
would return. When shall expect youf asked
Mrs. De Long one day. In three years: but wait
five years, If you do not hear from Inc, before you
imagine any accident has befallen us. Yes, always
expect Ills until We get back 1t was his confident
manner. his assurance and faith in the success OF
the voyage that gave Mrs. De Long so
many hopes, since she knew the
vessel was abandoned. Only to-day, in
letter received from her she speaks of expecting to
come to New-York in the latter part of this month,
and says she is striving keep strong and healthy
so that she may her husband when he IS
found. She wanted to 60 TO st. Petersburg 10 meet
the party, but we did not consider that she could
stand the fatigue of such journey. Mrs Danen-
hover has invited her to visit at her home in Wash
ington to meet Lieutenant DanenhOwer upon his
return.
Concerning De Longs early life l cannot say
much He was born in this city in 1914, and
while he did not receive college education, owing
to the death Of his father when mere lad, he did
obtain q thorough public school education He
protege of Archbishop Quinn, who was friend of
his mothers. She, too. died many years ago, and
he had no brothers sisters and relatives.
do not know what gave him liking for the Navy,
but think his father had been naval officer.
Benjamin Wood secured his appointment at the
Naval Academy, and Eads, who was killed by the
torpedo explosion at Newport last summer,
was his classmate and warm personal
friend. 1t IS somewhat singular that both
Df them should have met tragic deaths. In per-
sonal appearance Mr. De Long was tail and con-
manding, weighing about $50 pounds when he left
here three years ago. He was very social and was
brilliant in conversation. His extensive travel,
coupled with keen observation and pleasing
way of telling what he had SEEN made his society
courted. Without being in the slightest degree
egotistica his descriptions of scenes i'll his Journeys
from Greenland to Cuba and to nearly every other
portion of the globe extremely
graphic and entertaining Although naval
officer and consequently away from home
great deal. he was very domestic in his habits and
fond of his family. For three or four years he
the executive officer on The schoclship St MaTy's,
and of course, being the city, he could live
with his family. When he was ell the Monitor Le
high, in Port Royal harbor Mrs. Ne Long was with
him, and with little Sylvia, their only child now
ten years Old she went 10 London with him III 1873.
1t was there he detailed TO take the ship after
ward known as the Jeanette to Havrc, where it
was renamed in honor of Mr.. Benefits sister The
Jeanette left Bavre on July 49, 1873, and
passing through the Straits OF Magellan, reached
| San Francisco after voyage Of lG5 days. Mrs. De
Long saws that the six months spent on the JEAN
nette were the happiest days of her life. She was
tie only lady board. and passed her time III read
| ing sewing and teaching her little daughter, who
| insisted being on deck and with her father all
| the time she could. One of the sedges for the eX
| peditiOD was named after her.
1T has been said that some of the officers of the
Jeannette we're doubtful of her ability TO stand a
winter III the Arctic seas but certainly Mr.. DE Long
| had no such misgivings. Everything that could be
suggested for fitting II up was DONE lie lad what
| ever he asked for, and whatever others may
| have thought. he believed that abe was the best
| vessel to be had for the expedition. His officers
were chosen from among his friends of many years.
! Chipp was a watch officer on the Juniata when
sent to look for the Survivors OF the POaris ex-
peditiOn in 1873, of which ship De Long was nav
the Little Juniata, which was intended to prose-
cute the search further than the ship could go. 1t
| was this expedition which gave hun desire TO
seek to find the North Pole. He received encourage
ment from Henry Grinnell and Mr. Bennett. 1t was
the many v is W M % H "a fSe 10
of success and of returning to his home, lie never
for moment forgot the fact that he was going OH a
new route. Ii was no foolhardy undertaking on bis
part lie studied the matter long and carefully.
| Commander Bralne, who had charge OF the Juniata
admired De Long very much, say ing once If
| had to reject man from the whole Navy to COM
| Inand al Arctic voyage 1t would be George De
Long An Incident of DE Longs Lie. that has
When Oef tue GRAND Duke Alexis Wss here
the first time, the great bail at the Navy Yard
almost wholly under the charge Of Mr. De Long.
lie had charge OF decorating the ballroom, and had
most TO do with the Dukes reception at the bail
| He was a member of the New-York Yacht Club.
| II am curious TO know just when his party was
found 1t seems strange 10 us Americans that there
is place Oh earth where men could starye TO death
and yet / believe that the fate OF the twelve
men i'll his boat Besides De Long there were two
| well-known persons IN that bOat-Dr Amber, the
| ships surgeOn and Jerome Collins The Herald cor
respondent. Two men, Ninderman and Noras,
find relief for themselves and the rest of the
party. but they were nearly dead before they found
help; and before they could get the stupid natives
to understand their condition ana the suierlngs OF
| their companions month had passed. IL ls not
just clear 10 my mind yet why Melville did not go
| back over the tracks of Noras and Nlnderman, but
| he is careful man and understands his business
thoroughly, aud he "a friend OF DE Longs for
| many years; but that long delay OF five or SIX
| weeks was too much for human strength TO endure.
lie would hold out TO the last. Ills powers OF en-
durance were wonderful, but the time that elapsed
was long that the poor men must literally nave
| starved To DEATH
| About Mrs. DE Long | cannot state more than
| have already told You. In her letter to-day III
which she tells of her hOpefuness for her husband
safety she mentions the fact that her little girl Is
Ill with the measles and her illness may detaln her
| ill Burlington even If she desired TO come here now
| shall telegraph her tonight the information you
| have brought US, but shall not have IL reach her
until morning. for it will be terrible shock to her,
he strain OH her health since the nows oi tie 1ale
OF the ship has been terrible but she has been kep
uD 10y the thought that she must not become SICK, as
| her husband would need her care. She was advised
To remain III iowa unlll 1uIner news wac IeceINcu'
| and now that the worst Is KNOWN L do not know
what she will decide 10 do-whether to remain with
heI sIeter, Mrs. GLASGOW, TO come TO this city,.
FEELING AT THE NAVY YARD.
| The first news of the finding of De Longs party
was taken to the Brooklyn Navy Yard last night by
a TRIBUNE reporter. The news brought sorrow.
| but not surprise, and of the officers
| stated to the reporter that 1t had
| been foregone conclusion i'll the minds
If those in the service, after the pancity OF the