The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-20
CRUSHED by ICE.
Anoth:r Arctic Expedition Come to
Grief.
The Steamer Proteus, Carrying the
freely Explorers, Wrecked.
Iwashlngton Dispatch. J


The Acting Secretary OF the Navy re-
ceived the following dispatch from the
commander of the Yantic, giving particu-
lars of the disaster to the PIoteus, and the
rescue OF her crew by the Yantic:
ST. JOHN, " f.. Sept IL
w. T.. Chandler Secretary OF the Navy:
Tue United States steamer Yantic has arrived
here bringing Capt. Pike and the crew OF the
Proteus, Lcut. Darlington aud the Greedy rellet
party, all well. The Proteus va, crushed IN the
Ice six IN. res north of Cape Sabine on July 3D.
The crew and the relief party, after depositing
the records at Lit lstcn island and Pandora
HaTbor, re -reated southwark in fix boats 10
Uppcrnaylk, suffering much hardship In Mel
Vile bay. The Yantic reached Littleton Island
on Aug. 3 without much difhculty, found
the records, and Immediately proceed,
cI SOU hwardly, searching the coast ana
island thoroughly down to Summers island.
Tie Ice then closed in and we could not get
around or throughsand were Obliged 10 retreat
under the lea OF Northumberland island. On
the 9th, southwark gale having l. osened the
pack, were able 70 get through, and con-
iinued the search The coast abont Cape YORK
is hlled With ice-packed close 80 that we could
not get Wi hin twenty miles OF land. On the
10th, having ice In all directions but southeast.
Irocse ded 70 Uppernavik and sent fifteen days
rations TO Lessinsack, and a whaleboat To Cape
Shakelton. On the 22d sailed for coal mine,
thence to God II wen. On the S1st Lieut.. Col
wen arrived In launch, having been thirty.nine
days in an open boat. lie had separated from
rs under orders at Cape York. Sailed the same
day for Uppernavik, and found the relief party
had arrived there. On Sept. proceeded hsme-
ward and had rough passage.
FRANK WILDER, Commander.
The Proteus was steam sailer, well
adapted for Arctic work She took Capt
Greedy and his arty TO Lacy Franklin Bay
over two years ago. The Greely expedi-
ton was to be conducted on plan con-
ceived by Capt Howgate. A depot was es-
tablished at Lady Franklin bay, and the
party were to-move northward establishing
smaller depots tor service on the return
trip. In this way it was thought many OF
the dangers and hardshps of Arctic explo-
ration would lie avoided. The party had
supplies TO last about two years by which
time 1t was expected Capt. Greedy and his
men would have returned to The starting
point TO await vessel to bring them home.
Nothing has been heard of Greedy party
since the Proteus left them. An EFFORT was
made to reach them last season by vessel
sent out under the direction OF the War De-
partment, but 1t was unsuccessful The
vessel could not get through the ice, and
came back without accomplishing anything.
AT the last session of Congress an appropri-
alton of 3. ,OC0 was made, TO send out a
search party for Greedy 1t took shape in
the disastrous putting forth of the Proteus
The news of the loss OF the vessel nat
urally created considerable comment In the
Navy and War Depa tments Lieut. Cas-
clare, OF the Signal Corps, Immediately
upon receipt of the information had an
interview with Commodore English, acting
Secretary Of the Navy, and O. mmodole
Walker, chief OF the Bureau of Navigation.
The matter was thoroughly discussed. The
feasibility of ordering the lantic TO GO to
the relief of the Greedy was talked over.
Various eApedients TO relieve the people at
Lady FrtnAlin bay were mentioned. An
earnest desire 10 do something was ex-
pressed One conclusion and that of dis
! heartening character, was reached that it
was too late in the season to- send any YES
sci into the Arctic, as il would be impossible
for her to get anywhere near Greelys party
on account of the ice.
Commodore Walker says: No vessel in
the navy, no vessel in the world could
reach Greedy before next summer. He and
his party are in a bad fix. The result Of this
relief expedition must throw a damper on
Arctic exploration. No one knows whether
Greeiy and his men are alive or dead Their
supplies must be exhausted by this time"
Prompt action is necessary in the cause
of Humanity but old naval officers shake
their heads ominously when the matter is
discussed Said one officer: This in my
opinion, will settle the whole question of
Arctic expeditions The loss of the jean
nette and the burning of the Rogers, that
was sent TO find her and the loss of the
Proteus piles It up tGo high, even If the fate
of previous expeditions was not fresh in the
mind of the public. OF course, an effort
I will be made TO relieve Greedy and his
party but that VIII be the last Arctic ex-
! petition for manyyears Tor which money
will come from the treasury OF the United
States"
The Yantic accompanied the Proteus as
convoy, but was not 10 go further north
than Lttleton's island, when the latter was
TO push her way through the ice. When the
Navy Department ordered The Yantic TO that
duty there was an QUERY in certain quar-
tiers about the recklessness of sending re-
! lief party, and then giving the vessel carry
ing that party convoy. 1t has, however,
turned out fortunate precaution. If the
Yantic had not been near the Proteus when
she was crushed in the ice there certainly
would have been some loss of life. Indeed,
it is extremely doubtful whether any of the
relief party would have es- aped.