National Republican., 1884-04-18
CRITICISING THE DEAD.
Seaman NOroS Gives His Views Concerning
the Jeanette Expedition.
Lieut., Danenhowcr Appears as n Reluet-
ant Witness.

Seaman Noros was cross examined at length
by the Jeanette investigating committee
yesterday. IIc said that Capt. De Long was
usually the last one to bo served with food
at meals. Ho insisted that Melville might
have gone earlier than he did in search Of De
Long. When witness left De Longs party
Collins was in much better physical condi-
tion than DE Long. but he was not surprised
that the captain outlived Collins because he
had more comforts. 4 half tent was pu5 up
to shelter him. Ninderman dressed him and
cared for him, aud Alexis was always by
with skin blanket to throw over
him. Witness and De Long woro both
aware that there were settlements on the
Siberian mainland directly south of tho place
where the ship was lost 1t had boon talked
on board the ship that it would have been
better to go back and winter in st. Lawrence
bay than put the ship into the ice. Witness
had seen Danenhower boarding food and
heard him say that If the worst came he in
tended to leave the party and escape on his
own account.
Upon being asked whether thore was any
thing else that he would like 20 testify to,
the witness asked that the ladies leave the
room, while he should repeat certain ABUSIVE
and indscent words addressed to him on one
occasion by Mr.. Melville. The request was
granted and the language was repeated to tho
committee.
Witness said he had volunteered, although
sick, to guide Melville ON his first journey
north in search of DE Longs party, but Mel
vile said 1t would take too many dogs to
carry him. He thought if he had gone they
would have found DE Longs party then. but
its members would probably have been dead.
Lieut.. Danenhower was then examined
He said Collins did not impress him as being
an educated, scientific man, but as bright
i e. !, ,,.,sr haNN NFNf
much of anything. Witness had signed a
statement for DE Long in reference to COllins's
arrest in 1Ss0. He had not seen it since.
Witness said that everything which he told
Mr.. Jackson, the Herald correspondent in
Siberia, about the expedition was truo.
Lieut.. Danenhower here said that he was
before the committee as reluctant witness
to testify with regard to the conduct of men
who we're doad He disclaimed personal in
terest in the matter or hostility toward any
one. He had talked freely with Jackson,
hut much of the talk had been confidential.
Mr.. Bennett had tolegraphed witness not to
air soiled linen" Jackson had taken an
unfair advantage in repeating things told him
in confidence. Witness had changed his
views about many things since he talked
about them to Jackson, for he now saw the
circumstances more clearly. lie would there
fore now modify some of the statements and
opinions which he gave to jackson then.
The published account Of his talk with jack
son contained some errors which he had since
corrected.
letter from jackson to the New York
Herdd was read to the witness. 1t pur-
ported to contain statements mado by wit
ness 10 jackson in Siberia. Witness said
most Of the statements were correct but de.
MED that he ever said, as there reported, 1t
seems certain that the whale boat reached
the Lena proper, and that had the course
been pursued day longer Bulun would have
Teen reached month or six weeks earlier,
and Noros and Nindeman and the captains
party saved"
The witness then related the particulars
Of the trouble between himself and Capt.
De Long The first unpleasant feeling grew
ont of the captains refusal to assign witness
10 duty on the 5th of August, when witness
thought he was perfectly able to work. The
captain told witness it was too unotfcerlike
to come to him and complain at such time
On the second occasion witness protested to
the captain against being put in the whale
boat under the command of stall officer
With all respect to Mr.. Melville, witness
thought 1t was risking the lives of the whole
beats crew TO put the boat in command of
IN engineer. The captain replied impatiently
that he did not arrange his details of officers
TO suit witness's convenience, and that it was
uuofNicerlke to make such complaint.
Did you not tell Mr.. Jackson that you had
been uniustiy treated ?" was asked.
~ did. / was feeling very bitterly at that
time"
Did you soy to Mr.. Jackson that you not
only considered Mr.. COllins's arrest and sus-
pension unjustilable, but regarded them as q
punishment
81 may have said SO. ! can neither affirm
nor deny positively
did not Mr.. Collins do his whole duty on
board ship in proper mannerY
He was continually arguing with the cap
tain about his duty. His duties were not
clearly defined before the ship left San Fran
cisco. If they had been there would have been
no trouble"
The witness then related in detail the cir
cumstances which led to Mr.. Collins's arrest.
Mr.. Collins showed a spirit Of opposition to
the captains directions and his arrest, wit
ness thought, was the elimination of long
series of little troubles and disagreements.
Ar. Collins believed there was a combination
of naval officers against him and he was
sensitive and morbid on the subject He
always greeted the captain in the morning,
but not the other officers, except occasionally
the witness. Capt. DE Long was not satisfied
with Mr.. Collins's work. That was one
reason why he took his instruments from
him.
If you want TO spend an enjoyable evening &c
and hear Mr.. Gable read tonight