The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-19

nifty was improved for gaining scientific in
formation, and three islands were discovered,
two of which were visited, explored and
taken possession of in the name of the United
States. In the management of the Jeanette
up to the time of her desertion Commander
De Long by his foresight and prudence, pro-
vided measures to meet emergencies and en-
force wise regulations. The fact of the ship
having passed the second winter in the ice
without the appearance OF scurvy on board,
attests the excellence of the sanitary ar
rangements adopted. and reflects great credit
upon Surgeon Amber. As to the circum-
stances of the loss Of the vessel, the court at
taches no blame to any officer or man, and
the report says the provisions made and the
plans adopted for the several boats crews
upon their leaving the wreck were judicious,
as it is shown that ninety days
after the destruction of the Jeanette
the officers and men were in fair condition,
Notwithstanding their terrible journey. The
story of the retreat from the vessel, with ac-
companying suffering. disappointment, dam
gers, difficulties and delays, the death of DE
Long and his companions, and the subsequent
discovery of their dead bodies, is recited at
considerable length, and the conclusion
reached that everything possible was done by
the various officers to insure safety. A list
of the officers and crew of the Jeanette is
given, showing their assignment to the
boats on the retreat, and their final
1dtc OF uiSpOSlllOu Iuc SoHSldl COh-
duct and merit of the executive and
all the officers end men of the expedition
is summarized as follows: There is conclu-
sive evidence that, aside from trivial diff
culties, such as occur on shipboard, even
under the most favorable circumstances, and
which had no influence in bringing about
disaster to the expedition, and no pernicious
effect upon its general conduct, every officer
and man so conducted himself that the court
finds no occasisn to impute censure to any
member of the party. In view, then.
OF the long a monotony OF the
cruise, the labor and privations encoun-
tered the disappointment consequent upon
a want of important results, and the uncer
tainty of their fate land apart from a natural
desire to tread lightly on the graves of the
dead). The general conduct and personnel of
the expedition seems to have been marvel
OF cheerfuness, good fellowship and mutual
forbearance, while the constancy and endur-
ance with which they met the hardshps and
dangers that beset them enttle them to
great praise. Besides the mention already
made, however, special commentator
I is due to Lieutenant-commander De
Long for the high qualities dis
played in the conduct of the expedition,
to Chief Engineer Neville, for the zeal,
energy and professional aptitude which
ELECTED a high encomium from his COM
mander and for his subsequent conduct on
the Lena Delta, and to seamen Niudermann
and Sweetman for services which induced
their commander to recommend for them
| medals of honor. Finally, it should be
stated that there are several survivors of the
Jeanette who have not yet returned from
Siberia and whose testimony might or might
not modify the conclusion set forth in this
| report