Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-14
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE REPORT
OF the Proteus Court of Inquiry Trans.
mi ted TO the Senate by the Pres.
ident
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is.

The report of the Proteus csur, of inquiry
was transmitted BY the President to the Sen
ate today. The findings of the court are
summarized in their conclusions as fol
lows:
The court has already pronounced an
opinion that Lieut. Darlington, after the
sinking Of the Proteus, erred in not waiting
longer at Pandora harbor with the object of
obtaining from the Yantic supplies with
which to make depot for a winter station at
Life Boat Point, on Littleton Island, the OBJ
Jective point Of the retreat which Lieut.. Grrely
had been ordered to begin at Lady Franklin
bay not later than the first of September,
1883. Lieut.. Garlington's error in this re-
spect Is regarded rs one of the grAvest CON-
mltted in the exercise of difficult and unusual
disdretion, for which, in the opinion of the
court, he should not be held to further ac-
counterbility. While awarding credit to Gen
Hazen for the best intentions in devising
measures for the rescue of Greely, the court
IS of the opinion that in many particulars and
In some OF the gravest moments he failed in
inadequate comprehension of the necessities
of the case and of the measures and means
essential to meet them: The following errors
and commissions are noted in his action:
First-For not submitting in the fall of 'S2
TO the secretary of war, for action of Con-
gress, a sufficient plan, with corresponding
estimates. for the organization and equipment
of relief expedition to be conveyed in two
vessels fitted for ice navigation, whereby the
chance of failure would have been greatly
diminished
Second-In objecting strongly in the fall
of 50 to the proposed endeavor BY the war
department to obtain men from the navy for
the relief party of 1888.
Third-In sppdinu indenendenf pnm
mand upon most perilous as well as distant
expedition with one commissioned officer.
Fourth-In informing Lieut.. Darlington
in his instructions that Lieut.. Greely's sup
plies would be exhausted in the fall of 'S3,
whereas the means of correct knowledge
were within easy reach IN the signal Office to
show that Greely's command was fully pro-
visioned for three years from the sum-
mer of 81. The natural effect of this being
to urge Darlington to undue impatience to
reach Lady Franklin Bay with all the stores
in his charge and to obscure from his mental
vision after the ship and cargo had gone down
the desirability of advancing as far as possible
northward the notice IF the disaster. in order
that Lieut.. Greedy, before coming down to
far to go back might, being so warned. retire
again to the well provided station at Frank
lin Bay.
measure that it remained possible for him to
adopt in the spring of 1888, and which was
repeatedly urged upon his consideration; to
wit, making a northward voyage of the relief
ship to the large depot for the winter at Lit
Teton Island.
The explanations offered by the chief sig
nal officer of his decision not to make a de-
pot, that it would deviate from Greely's plan
of relief. are. as has already been show n
utterly untenable and illogical.
Sixth-In failing to perceive the necessity
for a second vessel until nearly the middle
of May.
Seventh-The omission of proper directions
and measures for the stowage of the PrOteus
in order that the most important material for
the purposes of the expedition should be
readily accessible in an emergency. Owing
to which omission it was unknown to Lieut.,
Darlington or the master of the ship where
the arms and ammunitions provided for the
party were slowed and upon the loss of the
ship the command was left with only a few
arms and a comparatively small amount OF
powder and shot that had been kept in per.
sonal possession.
Eighth-The lax, negligent and defective
method of keeping record of public bust
ness and conducting the correspondence iI
the signal flee, as illustrated by the action
of the chief signal officer in regard to the
so called supplementary instruction or orders
to Lieut.. Darlington, which, in fact, was nc
order at all.
Touching the memorandum, the court IL
of the opinion that neither was it an order
nor did it properly carry any force as to the
suggestion to the commander of the exped
ton, who was instructed to confirm to the
letter of Lieut.. Greeley's request.
Ninth-Following custom, when officers OF
different services with independent commands
are ordered to cooperate in a single expedi-
ton, the chief signal officer should have taker
care to have had Darlington furnished with Z
copy of the instructions of the navy depart
ment TO the commander of the Yantic. While
the foregoing grave errors and omissions are
regarded as having either directly led oil
largely contributed to the abortive issue Of
the expedition, yet as they are all deemed te
have been due to the lack of wise provision
and sound judgment in the exercise of wide
administrative discretion. unattended by any
wilful neglect or intentional dereliction Of
duty, the court, after mature deliberation, is
is of the opinion that no further proceedings
before the general court martial are calleC
for.
(Signed) s. v. BENNETT,
President OF the court.
HENRY GooDFELLow.