National Republican., 1883-12-28
THE pRorEus INQUIRY.
Capt. PiIse's Testimony OF the Part He
Took in the Expedition.

VOOM ia the htAptuaAiohs
Shortly before tho Proteus court Enquiry was
called to order yesterday morning, short rather
fat, and very comfortable looking parsonage, his
ru ddy full, red bearded ihce wearing a smile
which indicated good nature, self content, and
good Digestion entered the court room and was
introduced TO the two or three officers present as
Capt Richard Pike, of the lost steamer Proteus.
he was the type Of the Jolly English
barring the nautical dress, telescope,
and quid OF tobacco. His manner was
self possessed, bnt not elusive During the con.
versalion, which eusuod he contented himself
with making brief replies In gruifand somewhat
husky voice to the observations addressed to him
by tue officers composing the court but sat Tor the
most part in silence awaiting the beginning Of
formal proceedings. The journal of the proceed
w eacd o Ss we
and sworn. His replies, when under onth were
not always clear, but his purpose to make things
have nothing TO conceal and to enter
tain no grudges against his fellows in
twenty seven years as master OF n vess e-sailing
TO the Brazils. the United States, Germany, ana
elsewhere-n short, jerky replies to tue inquiries
any time during his voyage with Lieut.. Garllng-
ton or upon the return Journey word OF disagree
ment between that ofieer ana himself leaving
merely those of opinion in respect TO which he
had given way as TO suponor authority,
sSad SosH Oes SIhSS RtiSs' the dp purpoes s 'HSS
tue expedition The points upon which his iosti-
mony is at issue with that OF Lieut. Garlington
and Lieut.. Colwell were not volunteered. but
were drawn out by the repeated inquiries OF tho
recorder. the court. Gen. Hnzeu. and the counsel
of Lieut.. Darlington. lie declared that there was
no serious fault TO be found with his crcw--that
they had never been muinous, nor had he dis
covered pilfering propensies. lhey did not
perhaps jump about under the excitement attend
ing the sinking of the ship with all the alacrity
which might be expected OF men unde'
other circumstances, but they did their duty
fairly we'll He said he expressed to Lieut.. Gar
lington the opinion that they were on tho ground
too early for the voyage north of Cape Sabine and
that alter the wreck when the parties had reached
Pandora harbor in their southwark journey, he
counseled waiting there for the Hantic, While
at Cape Sabine, after the ship had gone down, he
expressed to Lieut.. Darlington the belief that the
stores left upon the ice foe, or some of them
might be saved but that the latter declined TO lei
his boats go out for the purpose, wbereupon he
Pike) had saved what he could in his own boats.
Lieut. Colwell was recalled, and described the
Interview between Lieut. Darlington aud Capt
Pike, which resulted in sailing from Prayer har
Dor He said he heard no expression of opinion
on the part of Capt. Pike that the water was INC
good" Referring TO Capt Pixies statement that
more of the supplies could have been saved, bu
thht Mr. Darlington objected TO let his boats 20
witness said that when they were on the ice lloe
one Of Pixies boats, which had been to the shore
came alongside, ana Capt Pike with one Of his
officers clambered over the intervening broken
ice, got into this boat and pushed 1t OF, leaving
some of his own crew ON the foe The lnen thu,
abandoned cursed Capt Pike for leaving them
and spoke. OF keeping one of the Darlington boats
aud Keeping along the east coast TO the south
not going ashore at all at Cape Sabine
When Capt. Pike allerward, at Cape Sabine
proposed TO Lieut. Darlington 10 take one of hi
boats and get more of the stores off the ice foe
witness, remembering tho threats and mutinoul
propOsafs of the Proteus crew, advised Lieut.. Gar
ngton not 10 allow the boats go with the Proteu
crew, feeling II unsafe to trust them. He said TIT
stores which 1t was proposed TO save were some tina
he (ColwelD had thrown out of his boat TO max,
room for the men whom Capt Pike had aban
dOned.
Afef some further testimony not material, tn,
court adjourned until today