The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-14
A Correspondents Narrative.

New York, Sept 13.-The following story
of the wreck of the Arctic relief steamer
Proteus, and afterwards the journeying of
the crew, is by a special correspondent of the
New York Tribune: While endeavoring to
force her way through to clear water, the
Proteus was caught between two immense
foes. These pressing on at both sides,
quickly crushed in her stout walls; her hold
filled with water, and it was soon evident
that no efforts would avail to keep her from
sinking. The matches were broken open, and
all hands set to work throwing clothing, pro-
visions and other stores out of the doomed
ship on the ice. The greater
part of the cargo thus unloaded
fell into the water and was lost, but enough
was saved to insure the comfort of the party
during their retreat southwark, and also to
make not inconsiderable cache for the
Greeley party should it, as now seems in
evitable, be forced to make its own way
southwark. Lieutenant Calwell, of the
United States navy, also succeeded, and most
fortunately, in saving the boats from wreck.
As quickly as possible Lieutenant Calwell
loaded one boat with stores, and with a crew
of four men set out for shore. The trip was
made with great difficulty on account of the
ice, but by perseverance and unsparing
exertions he forced a passage through
Several successive trips were then made, and
a large quantity of clothing and provisions
safely landed and placed in cache The last
trip was made on the morning of July a,
and as the ice had closed in rapidly, the
boat and its load had to be dragged across
the ice two miles before it could be launched
in clear water. Even then flowing masses of
ice closed in so rapidly and so angrily that
the boat escaped being stoved in by the
narrowest possible chance. The goods placed
in the cache were rendered as secure
as possible, and the spot SO marked
as to be readily discovered by the party from
Fort Conger. Having thus done all in their
power to carry out the design of the expedi-
ton, the party, on the afternoon of July 25
set out to cross Smith sound, and after
spending a weary night amid the ice, landed
safely on the morning of the Goth at a cove
near Lifeboat cove. The crew of the Pro
teus had gone on to Lifeboat cove in their
own boats in advance of the smaller relief
party, and OF the latter safely landing on the
east shore of the sound, all started forward
again for Pandora harbor, which they
reached the following morning.
The journey during the night was most
unpleasant one, a hard rainstorm raging
nearly all the time. Thinking either the
Yantic or the Swedish steamer Sophia might
be at Cape York, the party next directed its
way thlther. The coast was hugged as closely
as possible all the way, the boats being too
heavily laden to venture far from
shore. Every night a landing was
made for the sake of safety, and further
delay was caused by several days of bad
weather, during which it was impossible to
to make any progress. The ice was trouble
some and on Aug the party was passing
Conical rock. The boats had to be hauled
upon a foe to avoid total destruc-
ton. After waiting an hour, the ice
opened sufficiently to allow the
boats to be launched again, but
continued to block the way so much that the
boats had most of the time to be pushed and
dragged along by the crew, who found foot
ing on the ice alongside, Cape York was at
last reached without serious accident, but
there was no sign there OF any vessel &c.
on Aug. 16, the weary voyagers set out again
for the south, making Upernavk their
next objective point. Lieutenant Cal
WELL with one boat, set out boldly
across Melville Bay intending to keep only
a direct course southwark until he could
find the Yantic, But Lieutenant Darlington,
with the other boat and crew of the Proteus
chose a more circuitous but safer outing
along shore. A heavy snow-storm set in on
August II, which was ridden out by the
boats at anchor to the ice. The storm was
severe, and many of the cebergs foundered,
so the party had to change its anchorage
several times Upernavik was reached
August "a, and there the Yantic picked up
the shipwrecked men and brought them on
to St Tnhn,s