New-York tribune., 1885-03-29

h I f r;eying in some sense the disaster which
had already occurred, through no fault OF her own
IL would have been most happy occurrence; ana
if In addition to leaving the stores parry, vi
volunteers had been found from her own people
and it has been officially stated that tney Mcie
torthcomiag-and had been landed on the ISLAND IL
is more than probable that the tarryng OIL Tue eH,
plorers ut Cape Sabine during the next year. Wo9ia
have been without its fatal consequences nau o.t
fresh party of seamen with boats under competent
officer, been there duIng the fail ana Whteii
Keeping their telescopes liked on cape Sanine at
that they would at some time during those weary
months have discovered the party wnich tney hau
stayed to rescue, and have found Time anu WAY s
to cross the twenty-tlIree miles between the M
cape aud the island whatever might have Deent the
condition of the ice or the currents.
Lieutenant Garlington's friends cannot complain
of ANYTHING in this book that is harsher in express
sion than the foregoing passage directed against the
authors naval associates; but his own RESPONSE
bility for the failure of the expedition is made very
plain albeit without captious criticism and unchar-
liable Judgment He is shown to have directed
CAPTAIN Pike to push on from Cape Sabine and thus
to have brought on the catastrophe TO nave
neglected to overhaul the caches at that point rs he
had been directed; to have been helpless and
inefficient at the time OF the disaster. ana not 10
have possessed sufficient strength OF character TO
prevent the pluuderng of the stores by the Proteus
crew or to exercise the functions of commander with
self-possesson and efficiency in grave emergency
The following passages illustrate the spirit IN which
his conduct is discussed
In reference to the events ut the time OF the wreck
and following it, it must be confessed that 1t was
cruel situation in which this young Omcer Oh
cavalry placed. taken from his station IN
Dakota after six years of service with his regiment,
and suddenly finding himself IN sinking ship.. III
the middle of Kane Sea, with the whole response
bIlity of most important expedition on his shon-
ders That he had voluntarily assumed this respon-
sbilty did not make his situation any the less dls-
tIessing. AS long mishap occurred. the charge
of conducting the expedition was llght one. Dy
whomsoever 1t might be borne But the moment an
accident happened, -and the history Oh nav lgation
IN those waters Is little more than chapter OF
accidents-the nautical experience and nautical
Judgment of the head of the expedition became the
prime element in the situation. From that moment
there was not decision to be TAKEN not an acl 10
be performed, that did not call for this experience
and judgment, and call for them IN high degree
Under such circumstances, the presence OF probes
sional subordinate. though 1t may lessen, does not
obviate the difficulties of a commander whose
occupations have been foreign TO the business IN
hand. ~
Darlington now had his party of fifteen safely on
shore at Cape Sabine with two whaleboats, and
provisions for forty days. The crew OF the Pr0teus
were not materially either help or hindrance,
except that they rendered possible q separation OF
the two boats of the relief party. plan of this
kind was suggested by Cowell, his idea being TO
take boat, lightly equipped, with picked men, ana
hasten south to get the news 10 the Yantic. Gar
lngtOn, with the other boat, could then nave
remained at Littleton Island have followed with
making as good time as ne could. The suggestion
accorded nearly with the Wlldcs-Garngton agree
ment. which said: Should Protens be lost, push o
boat or party south to Yantic" 1t was not adopted
however, and the whole party remained In company
until il reached Cape York. =,
1t was recognized that the Yantlc was now the
essential element in the problem. Nothing had been
done to relieve Greely except the landing OF hVe
hundred rations (estimatedD at the, wreck-camp
cache and some few stores and clothing at Cape
Sabine. The relief party had come with the inten-
on of wintering at Llttieton Island, II IL failed to
reach Lady Franklin Bay but it had lost its stores
tfn had hnar1 ornNi igfn m
have supplied the relief party, or portion OF ~
for the winter. If she arrived at Litleton Island
the question" says Darlington in his report,
would become one of easy solution. i could get
from her all the stores she could spare including
clothing. coal and canvas, establish station at
Lifeboat Cove, remain there with two or three men,
and send the rest of the party with the crew OF the
Proteus TO st. Johns"
The Yantc had not at this time arrived at Little. |
ton Island, or Pandora Harbor just below, and
Darlington came to the conclusion that she would |
not arrive 1t was my honest opnion," he SAYS
that the Yantic would not cross Melville Bay" In |
this he was guided by what hc had seen Of the ice
on the way up. taken III connection with the IN |
strnctions TO Commander Wildes as far as he knew
them and his opinion seems to haye been generally
shared by those with him. On the other nand lay
the fact that the only object of tho Yantics cruise
was to 90 TO Littleon Island or some nelghDorlhg
point; that the. agreement between himself ana
Commander Wides expressly provided tnat the
Yantc should remain until August 70 ID Pandora
Harbor six miles below Littcton Island which
would be the headquarters where the froteus
should endeavor to communicate with her, the
Litteton Island; and finally, that reasonable
doubt existed, of which o few hours delay womb
furnish probable solution, and the question was
one upOn which the success failure OF the renet
expedition the performance of the Governments
pledge to Greely and the lives Of his party might
perhaps depend In forming Judgment upon TINS
all-imp0rtant question. the former considerations
appear to have prevailed, aud it was decided 10
move southwark at once.
The remainder of the volume is a detailed account
of the preparations for the relief expedition OF
Ng.,l, Nal. lima
and the rescuo of the Greey party. This most
gallant achievement. so honorable to every officer
and seaman connected with the expedition, is
described with becoming modesty and simplicity.
No attempt is made to exaggerate the difficulties of
the. undertaking or 10 magnify the important
service rendered. 1t is quiet and dignl.ed mar
rative and yet animated and interesting witha.
The following is the most thrilling passage
At last the boat arrived at the site of tho wreck
cache, and the shore was eagerly scanned, but
nothing could be seen. Rounding the next point
the cutter opened out the cove beyond There, on
the top of little ridge, fifty or sixty yards above
the ce-foOt was plainly outlined the hgqre OF q
man. Instantly the coXswaln caught up the boat
hook and waved his flag. The man on the ridge
had seen Them for he stopped picked up the signal
flag from the rock and waved 1t IN reply. Then he
steep rocky slope. Twice he fell down before he
reached the foot. As he approached still walking
feebly and with difficulty, Colwe.i hailed him from
the bow of the boat
"Who all are there leftW
"Se7en left"
AS the cutter struck the ice. Colwell jumped of
and went up to him. He ghastly sight His
cheeks were hollow his eyes wild, his hair and
several thicknesses of shirts and jackets ragged
and dirty He wore little fur cap and rough
moccasins of untanned leather tied around the leg
AS he spoke his utterance was thick and mumbling
and in his agitation his jaws worked in conyulslye
twitches AS the two met, the man, with sudden
impulse took off his glove and shook Colwell's
hand 49, 49, &c.,
aWhere are they ~ asked Colwel briefly.
ain the tent" said the man. pointing over his
shoulder, over the hill-the tent is down."