Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-11-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE PRorEUs INQUIRY.
Sec. Chandler Before the Court ~
Witness.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.

Lieut.. Commander McCall, recalled oy
the Proteus Court of Inquiry, testified that
he had seen memorandum enclosure No. OF
the navy department on the 4th and 9th OF
June, 'S3. II was handed him BY Capt.
Walker, chief of the bureau of navigation,
and vas headed instructions or memoran Ia
for the naval tender. He did not know what
become of it.
See. Chandler was then called and sworn.
He described the course of events substan-
tally as they have already been made known
He said he received a negative reply 70 his
injuries addressed to the acting chief signal
officer whether it was desired that the fsntic
should carry anything in the way of supplies
for the Greedy or Darlington parties, not
withstanding he ordered the vessels guns
taken out and that she be fitted up with coal
and provisions. With respect TO the orders
TO Commander Wildes, Sec. Chandler said
that it was customary in the department to
withhold sailing orders until near the time OF
departure. The witness caused computa
tion to be made Of the amount of rations on
board the Yantic when she left Littleron
Island, and when she arrived at ST. Johns,
the result showing that she had four months
supplies for 80 men at Littleton Island and
three months when she returned to st.
Johns.
Court-Did the instructions to Commander
Wildes contemplate his furnishing any stores
for the Greely party?
Chandler Il hardly know how to answer.
II calls for my opinion, and ! would prefer
not at this time to give an opinion unless the
court thinks it pertinent. One object in in
creasng the provisions was to be prepared
for any emergency which might happen to
either vessel. But there was no suggestion
that the Proteus party would require them,
but rather the contrary.
Gen. Hazen then being recalled, read
statement in which he said that there Is now
testimony before the court that the PrOteus
was not suitably manned, equipped and Of
icered; that the crew were not sailors, but
mutinous breach combers and longahoremen;
the captain not efficient nor acquainted with
ice navigation, and the other officers without
experience in ice that in the organization OF
the expedition, meaning himself and other
officers of the signal service, had not studied
the subject and that the means employed for
the expedition were inadequate. In short,
that my duties in connection with these ex-
peditions were carelessly and incOmpetenly
performed All this tends to show culpabie
and almost criminal negligence of duty.
There has been testimony of a radical error
of facts which are very necessary to correct,
but propose to show, from witnesses from
st. Johns, what know to be true, that the
Proteus was not only the best ship available,
but an admirable ship in all respects, includ
ing equipment; that the captain was not only
thoroughly proficient, but an officer of long
service and experience in ice and superior to
any other captain 1 could employ. l believe
will prove that her crew were
good and experienced ice seamen
as | was promised they should be.
l will prove by Capt. Clapp that 20 months
of careful study was given the subject which
am charged with neglecting before sailing
the expedition. will prove by Gen. Hawk
ins that upon my requisitiOns he selected,
bought and shipped, both by the Neptune in
1882 and the PrOteus in 1883, in ample
quantities. the freshest and best outfits of
subsistence and stores possible to get in the
markets of the United States. Bearing all
of this upon the subjects before the court of
Inquiry is that the failure to do these duties
properly would subject me by the terms of
the order convening this court and by good
administration to trial by general court mar
tial, which should amply deserve. l neg
lected none of these duties and l can prove
to the court beyond reasonable doubt that
this work was done well to the last.
After recess, DR.. Harrison, member of
Lieut.. Garlington's party, testified that the
Proteus crew were perfect pirates. He saw
several packing up clothing while the stores
were being removed from the vessel, which
they told him had been given them. The
crew did nothing in regard to saving pro-
visions. He saw them sitting around smok-
ing and drinking on the ice while the stores
were being got out of the ship and later saw
them breaking up canned goods. The witness
did not think that Capt. Pike was up to the
standard of shipmasters. He ran the vessel
aground twice on the way north, through
carelessness. The witness was told by Capt.
Pike that lie couldn't get the crew he wished to
take north and that he had no power to re-
strain his men from pillaging and in sub
stance that the men were scoundrels. The
witness had been told by one of the Garling-
ton party that the Proteus crew were plan
ming to raid upon the stores and boats of
the Lieut.. Darlington.