The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-14
THE LOSS CF THE PRoTEUs.
Statement of the Disaster Given by tho
First Officer of the Vessel.

First Officer of the Vessel.
ST. JOHNS, N. f., Sept 13. The first officer
of the Proteus briefly summarizes the ill
fated Proteus expedition as follows: The
Yantic and Proteus left st. John on June 20,
The Proteus arrived at Godhaven bay Cisco
island, July 6, and the Yantic at the same
place on the 18th. The necessary preparations
were made, and the Porteus sailed for Cory
island, arriving on the 10Th, left on the 21st,
and two days afterwards was crushed, sink.
ing at P. NJ. July %. Twenty-nine days
were spent in boats, and several storms were
encountered, from which the boats took
refuge under the lee of icebergs. Lieuten-
ant Colwell and boats crew parted company
with the others at Cape York, found the
Yantic July 81, and reported Captain Pike
and the remainder of the crew moving
southwark The Yantic reached Cory island
on Aug. 2, and the same night she proceeded
to Pandora harbor where the records from
Pike and Darlington were found. She next
proceeded south along the Greenland coast,
sending boats all round the islands to search
for the missing crew. A storm and heavy
pack ice on Aug forced the Yantic to an
chor to the leeward of Northum berland is
land, and next day she bore away for Uper-
navik, arriving there Aug %. On the 9th
she started for Waigate coal mines, and re-
turned to Upernavik on Sept g. where Capt.
Pike and crew were found and taken on
board the Yantic. 1t seems the first intima-
ton of the Proteus's disaster was found
Aug. 8 at Littleton island by the Yantic.
Lieut.. Darlington left a record there, COM
ing south, describing the wreck and indicat-
ing the general movement of Captain Pike
and the ships company. On the 4th search
was instituted along the Greenland coast,
from Cape Alexander to Cape Roberts, on
i,,kl ,I~olxy to ~,
treating party Searched till Sept. 2, when
Upernavik was reached, and the whole Pro-
teus party found in good health and tolera-
BILE pirits. They were exposed during thirty
one days and nights in their boats, making
some stoppages at intermediate harbors.
The Proteus was crushed in foe ice at 8
O clock in the afternoon of the 23d of July,
and sank within four hours, as the closed foes
parted company. Fortunately sufficient time
was given to save clothing, provisions, compass
and other necessities to what might prove
a protracted voyage On the 25th, the boats
being equipped, provisioned and manned,
a start was made. The scene of
the disaster was eight miles north-north-
west of Cape Sabine, in latitude 100 81
north, and over 600 miles of ice and frigid
sea was passed before Upernavik was
reached. The worst feature in the untortu-
uate Proteus expedition is that no provis-
ions were landed or caches made, and all
stores intended for the Arctic colony relief
went down in the steamer.
While at anchor in Danish harbor, on the
18th of August, Governor Elbury came on
board the Yantic and reported that the
Danish steamer Sophia had arrived there
from harbor thirty miles north OF Cape
York, and the captain stated that native
Esquimaux told him two natives with the
Greeley expidition arrived on sledges last
winter, and reported the party all well, ex
cept DIR. Pavy who had died. These natives
went back to Lady Franklin bay. Another
Esquimaux arriving from Greeley camp, re-
ported all the officers murdered by the men.