New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-22
THE ABANDONMENT OF THE JEANETTE.
LIEUTENANT DANENHowER STILL BEFORE THE
BOARD OF INQUIRY.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21.-The examination Of
Lieutenant Danenhower before the Board OF Inquiry,
this morning, comprised series OF questions by the
Court touching the abandonment of the Shp the direct
narrative OF the previous days being interrupted for that
purpose.
Q.-Was the abandonment Of the ship anticipated, and
preparations made prior TO June IL
1871 Ayes. sudden disaster anticipated, and
as have previously stated, preparations were made
when the ship first entered the pack
Q-What was the physical condition Of the officers
and men when they landed the Ice June H. 1881.
A.-The physical condition good with the following
exceptions: Lieutenant Chipp disabled and pros
trated By what supposed to be tinposoDIng; was
disabled by the condition OF eyes and unable 70 per-
the duties o. navigator but able TO do other duty
and Aexey affected with liberation OF one OF bis
| legs A number Of the men, among whom were Laman
| Kuehne Goa Heaver Lauterbach and Steward Charles
Tong Sing we're also affected by the tinpOsOning aud
| were prostratcd few days later
Q.-On June II and I3 was the pressure perceptiby
greater upon previous days before that fact became
evident the vessels Welding to il Ayes sir No
ec0gnized tue fact before she yielded to Il that the
pressure much greater than anything she had before
] been subjected to.
Q-Was everything done that possible to avoid ths
loss Of Jcannete and If not what omitted that
might have been done A.-Eyerything that circum-
stances would permit was DONE
ON your opinion could any vessel have been SO con-
]
uette was subjected TO June IL and l3. 1881 A.
Tie pressures different and unforeseen that
vessel could not be built aud fully insured 80 O speak,
go through such experience successfully For eN'
ample, whatever the model Of the ship, and
however well 1t may be adapted to rise under
"a theoretical pressure, swhen 1t comes TO ex-
perence, projecting tongue of ice under water
might al any tine destroy her. The force which was
brou.h 10 bear Jeanette sufficient 10 crusa
any -nip could possibly be constructed she were
nell i'm lp "a A
In reply further questions the witness said: Tho
loss Jeaunee is TO bo attribute. 10 e fact tnat
beset In tLe Polar pack Arctic cruisers seldom
get in the vicinity Of Mrangel Land. TIey generally
cruise oil the ed. .e OF the pack between Herald Island
aud Point Barrow OF late years they have been IN tho
habit OF leaving this vicinity IN the month OF October
| generally before the l0h-tO avoid being beset IN
IL Il IN order 10 make Arctic expO-
ratons 10 enter the pack ce and II s frequently done
in some lOcaiitIes-tne Greenland seas Tor example.
| Inc summer season during calm weA her II the most
favorable for following the leads through tue PACK 10
mike explorations northwest OF Herald Island IL Is
necessary the plck as that part or Tue ocean -
seldom free from Vessels enter the PACK boldly on
the of Greenland. iuorcng their waY 10 inc
northwest because II they beset tey drt south and
yet ree Previous to the 18th or June ISL IL was not
supposed that the necessity for abandoning che Jean
nellie had become mmlHont Du as u the HlVlsaDl4tyls
WAS simply a matter OF Judgment dOn't tunk Il would
have been advisable Tor exploring expedition 70
abandon their snip but for wAaer II would nave
| been. .,-
O-Was the ships company ever drilled Ia anticpa-
tion abandonment, and. II so, wnai was the drin
A-Thc snips company we're stationed Ou never Htileu
III anticipation abandonment OF tht sup nithes5
was askGu what nc would have done II lie had Deeh IN
tne command Of the Jeanette the time she entered
the pack aud replied should have tried 10 get II ous
| of the pack tue evening OF september 10.
O-Wuat would have been tie prospects OF your suc
ceedDs in getting clear OF the lee AT that time A
At i:4o D. L. the court adjourned till 1920 a. Men
/ day.