Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-04-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
JEANETTE INVESTIGATION.
Examination OF Lieut.. DanenhOwer Con.
unued.
WASHINGTON, April Is.

WASHINGTON, April Is.
I The examination of Lieut.. Dsnenhower
was resumed this morning before the sub
committee of the House naval affairs commit
tee investigating the loss of the Jeanette
The witness knew that Dunbar, Collins
and Newcomb were opposed TO putting the
ship into the ice. He 81 one time soon after
the ship was put into the lead, had heard them
complain about il and said TO them, If we
succeed it will be a good thing, and if We
fail people will say We were foolish"
You did not doubt the captains Judgment
at Mare Island, and il is too late now.
The witness said that his opinion on the
wisdom of the cruise was governed greatly by
subseque nj events. If he had been in charge
he would have entered the lead, explored it
and then got out. He would have learned
the condition of the ice and explored other
leads. There was great danger. of course.
tUat the ice would close in on the ship; but
chances must be taken if it was desired to
get to the north.
Question-Did you state TO Jackson that
you thought entering the lead was a grave
mistake and caused the failure of the expe-
diton?
Answer may have.
Mr.. Collins. the witness said, objected to
being stripped and examined by the ships
surgeon. He said il was all tomfoolery.
Collins was sensitive and had never been ac-
customed TO such examinations. The witness
thought that Dunbar and Newcomb were also
opposed to it. He, himself, was willing TO
submit to being stripped. although disliking
it. He had said he would fight to the bitter
end against the placing of Melville in charge
OF the boat he was in. He would have fought
the captains right TO do so in the civil courts.
DeLong was dead, however, and he had no
further fight to make.
On cross examination Davenhower said
thai Collins did not DO anything on the jean
nette which could properly be called scientific
work. He took and recorded observations of
various kinds, but all the other Off
GERS did the same. That was not
scientific work. OF his work with the
magnetometer he did not even keep a
record, and in the witnesses opinion ac-
complished nothing.
After what was known as ''the bear hunt
when the witness and others left the ship, in
chase of bear and were absent from the
regular inspection, the captain issued an or
der forbidding the officers to 20 away from
the ship without leave. Collins thought
this was directed against him, and manifested
feeling about it. He told the witness that
there was a combination of naval officers
against him. As a matter of fact there was
no scch combination, and the witness told
Collins so. Collins, however, at that time
began a policy of non-intercourse with the
other officers. When il was necessary for
DeLong to repremand all officer, as he rep
remanded the witness, it was done privately.
The captain was remarkably considerate of
the peoples feelings. In the witnesses opin-
ion DeLong treated Collins with particular
consideration. The witness admitted that
he choked Newcomb. Newcomb said to him
! 7 -, 10, IL e
ter being told to keep still the witness choked
him, and told him: eff you don't obey my
orders will kill you Capt. DeLong al
ways exercised authority with irmness, but
with justice and fairness.
The journal OF DR. Amber, after the ship
went down, was put in evidence. The fol-
/ lowing are the last things contained:
SUNDAY, Oct. 9th. 1881.
Yesterday we were without food, exc ept
/ alcohol. The captain spoke of giving the
men option, today, of making their way as
best they could He could not keep up.
/ This occurred in the morning, when we made
two miles that we had to retrace. | told him
| if he gave up took command and no one
should leave him as long as | was alive He
suggested to send two men ahead and Try and
make a settlement and we make best our
way with the rest of the party. This was
DONE Nnderman and Noros are ahead
| God give them aid. The captain gave me
the option of going ahead but | thought my
| duty required me with him and the main
body for the present. Lee is about broke
down, Alexae has shot three grouse, by
| Gods aid and we will have something to eat.
Oct. 18th, 1881.
Alexae died last night of exhaustion, from
hunger and exposure.
Oct. Goth, 1881.
To Edward Amber, Esq, Markham, P. o.,
| Fanquier county, Va.
Ny dear brother-I write these lines in
faint hopes that by Gods merciful provi
dence they reach home. l have very little
hopes of surviving. We have been without
food for nearly two weeks with the exception
of four ptarmigans amongst L of US. We
are growing weak and for more than a weak
have had no food. We can barely manage
to get wood now to keep warm and in day
or two that will be passed. l write to you
all, my mother, sister, brother Carey and bis
wife and family, to assure you of the deeI
love now and have always bore for you. If il
| had been Gods will for me to have seen you
again, had hoped TO once more. My mother
knows how my heart has heen bound to hel
since my earliest year. God bless her or
earth and prolong her life in peace and
comfort. May his blessing rest on you all
As for me / am resigned and by my head ir
submission to his divine will. My love t.
my sister, brother Carey and Gods blessing
on them and you. To all my friends ant
relatives long farewell. God, in his infn
ite mercy, grant that these lines may reaci
you. / write in full faith in the help of on
Lord Jesus Christ, your loving brother.
J. NJ. AMBLER.
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.