New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-16
THE LOSS OF THE PROTEUS.
PLANS FOR ANOTHER EXPEDITION
AN AMERICAN SHIP AND CREW NEEDsD-No sTORE6
LEFT AT IIITIET0N IsI AND

AN AMERICAN SHIP AND CREW NEEDsD-No sTORE6
LEFT AT LIrTLEToN ISLAND.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.-Commodore English.
acting Secretary of the Navy has just received tho
following dispatch from Commander Wildes, of tho
Yantic: 60 To charter another foreign ship with
foreign for this duty to 90 North at this late
season would simply invite fresh disaster. Proteus
handled very unskllfully. and crew behaved shame
fully at wreck Ship must be American manned
and officered by Navy aud thoroughly equipped.
Unless winter quarters can be reached north Of
Cape Athal, the attempt would be useless. This
cannot be done. Melville Bay will be impossible
by October 1, at latest Ship cannot winter at Uper
nayik. and cannot sledge north from there"
The following dispatch from Lieutenant CARING
ton was received at the Signal Office to-day:
Stores were Eot left at Littleton Island because
it was not in my programme to do so. 1t was my
intention to establish depot at Cape Prescott and
to the northward as recommended by Lieutenant
Greedy. Went to fill gaps caused by Neptunes
failure to get above Sabine See Greedy letter,
Beebe report and my instructions. Five hundred
and htty-tive rations were left at UpernavIk by
fantic Tor my party. Part OF these me. me at
point forty miles north of ressusak. ALI since
returned to the YaDIc. The ultimate results of any
undertaking to 20 north this time are extremely
predetermined The chances are against its success,
owing to the dark nights now beginning in these
regions making ice navigation extremely critical
work. There Is no safe winter anchorage on the
west SnOre OF OIeenlanQ between DISCO anu
Pandora Harbor, except perhaps North Star Bay,
the winter quarters of Saunders. However, there
is bare chance OF success, aud If my recommended
tons are approved am ready and anxious to make
the effort.
my plan is to buy a suitable sealer and take tho
crew from volunteers from the crews OF the Yantic
and P0whatan, now in this harbor, paying them
extra compensation; Lieutenant j. II. Caldwell to
command the ship; two ensigns and one engineer
to be taken from those who may volunteer from
same ship; also employ competent ice-piiot
here. the ship must be under the United States
laws and subject to military discipline l believe
nothing can Do done with foreign civilians officers
and crew. In event OF not enough seamen volun-
teerIng, remainder to be enlisted. Commander
[WIldesi will communicate with Navy Depart
ment. II anything is to be done. it must be done
at once"
The Secretary of War received a dispatch to-day
from Lieutenant Darlington which he declined to
make public. lie said Its contents were of but
little Importance, and that the dispatch from Com
mander Wides to the Secretary of the Navy was
the important one.
Lieutenant Darlington has been advised that the
Secretary of War will not authorize the proposed
expedition this fail, but will order next year.
Lieutenant Lucien Young. of the Navy, has vol
unteered to the acting Secretary of the Navy to
take au expedition to the relief of Lieutenant
Greedy next spring.