The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-09-21
LOSS OF THE PRoTEUs.
The Greeley Relief Ship Crushed by Ice
FIoes.

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The Greeley Relief Ship Crushed by ice
Floes.
Tho Crew Finally Reach 81. Johns
NEW YORK, Sept. 13.--The following sto-
ry Of the wreck Of the Arctic relief steamer
Proteus, and the iourneyings Afterwards by
the crew, Is made BY special correspondent
of the New York Tribune:
While endeavoring TO force her way
through TO clear wafer, the Proteus was
caught between two immense foes; these
pressing on at both sides, quickly crushed In
her stout walls. Her hold filled with water,
and 1t was soon evident that no effort would
ltvail to keep her from sinking. The matches
were broken open and all hands set to work
throwing clothing, provisions and other
stores out Of the doomed ship upon the ice.
The greater part thus hastily unloaded fell
into the water and was lost but enough was
saved to insure the comfort of the party dur
Ing their retreat toward Navick, and also TO
make no inconsiderable cache for the Gree
ley party should 1t be needed. We succeeded
most fortunately in saving three boats from
the wreck, one of which, we'll loaded with
stores, and with q crew of four men, set out
for the shore. The trip was made with great
difficulty on account of the ice, but by perse-
verence aud unsparing exertions, Lieut.. Gar
lington forced passage. Through several
successive trips thus made, a large quantity
Of clothing and provisions was safely landed
and placed in cache. The last trip was made
on the morning of the oath, and as the ice
had closed in rapidly, the boat and its load
had TO be dragged across the Ice two miles
before 1t could be launched in clear water.
Even the floating ice was so troublesome
that the boat escaped being stove in only by
the narrowest possible chance.
The goods placed In cache were rendered
as secure as possible, and the spot marked so
as TO be readily discovered by party from
Fl. Conger. Having done all In their power
to carry out the design Of the expedition,
the party on the afternoon of July 18th, set
out across Smith Sound, and after spending
weary night amid the ice, landed safely on
the morning of the 26th in cove. the two
remaining boats also coming safely to land
on the east shore of the Sound. Our Journey
during the night was a most unpleasant one,
hard rain storm raging most all of the time.
Thinking that either the Yantic or the Swe-
dish Steamer Sophia might be at Cape YORK,
the party next directed its way tHther. The
coast was Rugged as closely as possible on
the way, the boats being too heavily laden to
venture far from shore. =.
Every night landing was made for the
sake Of safety, and further delay was catiss,
ed by several days Of bad weather, during
which 1t was impossible to make any pro.
gress, the ice being troublesom
August 7.-As the party was passing on a
foe to avoid total destruction, after waiting
an hour, the ice opened up sufficiently to
allow the boats to be launched again but It
blockaGed our road SO effectually that the
boats had most of the time 10 be pushed and
dragged along by the crews, who found foot
ing on the ice alongside. Cape York was at
last reached with no serious accident, but
there was no sign of any vessel.
August 1e.-The weary yoyagers set out
again forthe south, making Upernavick the
next objective point. Lieut.. Colwell, with
one boat, set out boldly across Melville Bay,
intending to keep on direct course south
ward, until he could find the Yantic; but
Lieutenant Darlington, with his boat and
crew, chose q IN IRE circuitous but safer route
along the shore. A heavy snow storm set In
August 18th, which was ridden out by the
boats at anchor. The storm was severe and
many Of the icebergs foundered, so that the
party bad to change its anchorage several
times. Upernavick was reached August "a,
and there the Yantic picked up the ship
wrecked men and brought them on to st.
Johns.
ST. JOHNS, n. F., September 13.--Tne
United States Greeley relief steamship Yam
tic has just anchored here. Her tidings are
lamentable. No word has been received
from Greeley or any of bis party. The
steamer Proteus was crushed In foe of ice
Ut the entrance 10 Smith Sound July 23d.
Captain Pike rescued his crew and the sci
entific party, who are passengers by the
Yantic.
ST, JOHNS, n. F., September 13.--The first
officer Of the Proteus briefly summarizes the
ill-fated Proteus expedition as follows: "The
Yantic and Proteus left St. Johns at 4 p. m.
June oath. The Proteus arrived at God
Haven, Disco Island, July 9th, the Yantic at
the same place July 18th. Necessary prepa
rations were made, and the Proteus sailed
for Cory Island, arriving the 10th. She left
on the 2lst, and two days afterward was
crushed, sinking at p. m. July sd. Twen-
LYNNE days were spent in boats. Several
storms were encountered, from which the
boat took refuge under the lee of icebergs.
Lieutenant Caldwell and six of the crew
parted company with tho others at Cape
York"
The crews of both the ships Yantic and
Proteus are In excellent health. One death
only occurred during the expedition, that of
Henry Wilson, gunner's mate of the Yantic,
0f anoplavy