The Portland daily press., 1883-11-21
THE PRoTEUs INQUIRY.


Yesterdays Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20-Commander
Wildes' examination before the Proteus court
of inquiry was resumed today. Gen. Hazen
asked what positive knowledge witness had
that the crew of the Proteus was made up of,
"Beach combers, longshoremen and not sea-
men," Witness said the Proteus was engaged
toe late to secure good crew. From personal
observation the majority were not such men as
would have been enlisted on the Yantic as sea-
men.
Gen. Hszen asked what he (witness) knew
about the study or experience of the chief sig
nal officer and the officers of the bureau in re-
gard to the expe 7ition.
Witness-T said that didn't know any refer
ence was made to experience; that is not to
my knowledge l only judged by what is
patent to everybody and what everybody can
see for themselves of the progress and results
of last year end this year. That is the only
reason.
Gen. Hazsn-Then I would like to ask
whereiA the expedition either Of last year or
this year failed.
Witness thought the expeditions probably
did as much as they could do last year and this
year, fitted and equipped as they were.
Lieut.. Colwell was recalled and in reply to
an inquiry said Captain Pike was without ex-
perience in Arctic ice. Looking back at the
events of the voyage he thought the Proteus
should have been taken out of the pack and
returned to Payer Harhor.
The officers Of the Proteus had no control
over the crew at the time of the dis2 ster. Wit
ness heard one Of the crew defy one of the Off
GERS telling him the Proteus was lost and they
were no more officers and several times he had
heard Captain Pike give orders. which we're
not obeyed by the crew. Witness received pri-
Fate information from a member OF the crew
that led him to keep an armed watch over the
Darlington boats. He was informed that the
crew had formed q plot to seize them as being
better than the Proteus' boats and make their
way 10 the west coast.
h Gen. Haxen was then given leave to make
Statement. He said the Proteus and the cap
Atain were hired after a very deliberate and
careful consideration. Capt Pike brought to
the owners of the ship from Lieut.. Greeley, in
1881, letter higalY endorsing him. The own
ers of the Proteus were firm OF very long
standing--over hundred years-and of the
highest respectabilty. They made contract
to furnish the ship thoroughly equipped, man.
ned ard provisione1 in the best possible way.
They now claim they did so. II they did not
they are very much at fault. 1t was in evil
dence they did not do it and he would, there
fore, ask that Captain Pike, Mr.. Symes, agent
of tht htlowners of the Proteus, and United States
Consul Mallory of St. Johns through whom
the contract was made, be called as witnesses.
Without Wishing to cast any reflection upoa
the gentlemen who had testified it would seem
that the other side should be heard. II has
also been said that the originators of the expe-
dition did not give the subject proper study;
did not properly plan it, and that the means
were inadequate. He would like to have
Capt Clapp of the 16sh Infantry brought be-
fore the court to testify to the character of the
study. He would Furthermore like to have
Gen. John B. Hawkins, who Sought the stores
called. to testify regarding their quality.
Gen. Hazen asserted that the Proteus was
considered the best vessel for the servica that.
could possibly have been obtained, and that
Capt Pike had all his life been in the ice GER
vice.
Commodore Walker, chief of the bureau of
navigation, was the next witness. He said
that the chief purpose in sending the Ysntie
was TO afford means of rescue in case of disae-
ter to the PIoteus; to do in fact what she mad
done. Nothing was said before sending her
about leaving stores at Litteton Island or any
where else