National Republican., 1884-04-19
DANENHOWER TALKS.
He Believes That Collins Was "DiSreSpeCtful
and InsubOrdinate."
Last Words Written by the Surgeon of
the Jcannette,

The examination of Lieut.. Danenhower
was continued yesterday morning by the
Jeanette investigating committee. He said
that Lieut.. Chipp's boat was inferior to the
others in the water, but was moro easily
handled on the ice. The witness went over
much of tho story Of the retreat De Longs
boat had n set Of nautical instruments. Tho
othor boats did not have them, because De
Long expected the boats to keep together.
They did not, however, because De Longs
boat was crippled and he could not land
where the others did. Dunbar, Collins, and
NowcQmb had complained because tho ship
was put into the ice. Witness said If he had
been in charge he would have explored the
land and then got out.
Mr.. Collins, tho witness said objected TO
being stripped and examined by the ships
surgeon. He said it was all tomfoolery.
Dunbar and Nowcomb also objected to it.
Melville had once said to witness, ut will
never be said that Melville was afraid to go
anywhere" Witness had replied, at ought
not to be snid that Melville took advantage
of information that Danenhower had obtained
and went himself" Witness had said that
he would fight to the bitter end tho placing
Of Melville in charge of the boat in which he
was. lilo would have fought the captains
right to do so in the civic courts, but tho
CAPTAIN was dead, and he had no further fight
to mako. Witness said there was very often
antagonism between line and staff officers of
the navy.
The witness said that Collins had photo
graphic apparatus with him, but no developer,
and did not know how to make one, and
therefore could not make negatives. Collins
provided or saw to providing many OF the
scientific instruments. He did not, however,
compare his thermometers with any standard
in America, but sometime in the first winter
took the mean of thirteen ofhis thermometers
and made standard of his own. He could
have corrected this on his return, but all his
instruments were lost or broken, and even If
his records had been saved they could
not have been corrected. Collins Of
ten made errors in the use of
scientific instruments, and did nothing on
board ship which witnes thought could prop
erly be called scientific work, De Long
always was courteous but less cordial later
than at first. Collins told the witness that
there was combination of naval officers
against him. Then Collins did not speak to
any one for time.
The witness did not think Capt. De Longs
discipline unduly severe, but there were un-
necessary and veSatious formalities. The
captain was particularly Consderate of poo
pies feelings. Witness tho ught De Long
treated Collins with particular consideration
The witness described the sinking of the
Jeanette and tho retreat. During the
retreat De Long treated Collins very politely,
and Collins said that he was "too informally
polite Witness had chokod Newcomb and
had threatened to kill him if he did not obey
orders. The officers found that IL annoyed
Collins to talk about Ireland and they stopped
it. After Melville had made some sport of
Collins one day De Long told them TO avoid
offending Collins in the future. Witness
thought that Collinss talk to De Long for
which he was suspended was di3respectful
and insubordinate, His suspension did not
affect the regularity of his observations.
The journal of DR.. Amber kept after the
ship went down was put in evidence. These
are the last entries in it,
Sunday, Oct. ., lsSl.-Nes,crday without food,
exc, p. the alcohol lie captain spoke Of giving
the men option t1iuny OF mGkinl their Nay as
best ihly could; that he could moi Keep mp. This
occurred in The morning when we hud made two
iUits lhd wu lad to retrGcc. told him if he
gave NJ , t,ui; command and that no one should
! aye lim as long as was nlive. ! ihcn suggested
T. 1T Nr send two men ahead to !ry ANA make the
s"' iontil, nrd that we make the best OF our way
u,Luuu rhd NolOs are ahead God pivo them
uI", aud we are getting along. Tie CAPTAIN gave
Iny DC option oigoiuG AHEAD myself, p4ti thought
ny duty REQUIRED me win Inn ana the main
body :ur the present. Lto is al ont lrnkcn dOwn,
A,yXGe Las sho. three g,Ouse by God aid, and we
vii have something II cni.
Wednesday, oct r. lSSl-We have been without
food since Sunday, except one onnce of alcohol,
one dIachm Of glyccrinc yesterday and to-day.
O'clock. Wind aud snow against US. We have
bten lying in hollow in the river bank.
Oel. u, isSl.-AleNnr died last night OF eX-
laustiOn rom hunger and exposure.
TuuESpAY, Oct. ~, lSsl.-IO EDWARD AMBtER,
ESQ. MAEkUAM i. o., FAUQuIFR CutSTY, NR-
GI%IA--.Hy ItuF BrCNi =: / write these lines In
the faint uoVe thnL by Lod's merciiu providence
they may reach YOU Ill at home, haze myself
now very little hope OF surviving. We have been
without food for nearly Two weeks, with the cX-
ccption of four parmigGns among eleven of us
We are growing weaker and for mDrC than week
we have had no food. We can barely manage u
get wood enough now to keep warm, and in u day
ortwo that will be passed. wrote 10 you all
my mother, sister, Brother Cary, aud his wife and
family to assure you of the deep love have now
and have always borne you. If IL had been God,
will 10 me TO have seen you all again | had
hoped 10 once more. My mother knows how my
heart has been bound TO hers since my carlies
years. God bless her OH earth nnd prulOng hCi
lie in peace and comfort. May His blessing res
upon you all. As for myself am resigned AnC
bow my head in submission to the Divine will
My love TO my sister and brother Cary God
blessing on them and you. To all my friends and
relations long farewell. Let the H0wards know
] thought of them to the last and let Mr.. PegrNm
also know that she and her nieces were cOntin
unlly in my thought. God in His Infinite mercy
grant that these lines may reach you writt
them in full faith and confidence in help OF GU
Lord Jesus Christ Your loving brother
NJ. AMBLER.
Ad;ourpad until Mnpdov +hn Ogth inst