The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-08
THEY ARE WELCOME.
COMMODORE MELVILLE AND
PARTY ARRIVE.

sketches Of the Distinguished Nisltors-
Programme Arranged by Mr.. VIM. r.
TrfvE ,or their Entertainment in Rich
mond.
10 was halfpast eleven last night before
Commodore Melville scrawled his name in
a biz, round hand upon the register at the
Exchange Hotel He and his party were 20
have reached here no 9;lj on the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac road. but the
train was late, hence the delay. The Conn
modora. who IS the chief Of
The United states Bureau Of
steam engineering. was accompanied by
Chief Engineer Fletcher, United states
Navy. and Mr.. Irving NJ. scott.of the Union
Iron Works, San Francisco, Colorado. Pay
master Barton Mas % have been one Of the
party. but az Commodore Melville expressed
IL last night. "wc dropped HIM OF mp the
road. and expect him sometime laicr;' con-
sequontly be did not come.
ibis morning, under the guidance Of Mr.
W. X. 1rigg, they will visit the Richmond
Locomotive Works. Governor Mckinney
will accompany these gentlemen 90 the
works. The party viii also inspect the
huge engines In course Of construction for
the battle-ship Texas, now being built.
After this is done the party will go down
the James as far as Dutch Gap. and enjoy
The sights OF historic memory i'm that local.
ity,
Commodore George Wallace Melville is
about medium height, and has command
ING appoaiance. lie has quick. stern eyes,
.,f lt.f g. "a nI J
of imuortance. His hair which is OF
the silyory gray order. is worn very
long. reaching down 90 below his
coat collar lie was born in New
York city. January TO- 1871. and was edu-
Gated in his native city. lie entered The
United states Navy i'm July. 1861. as third
assistant engineer. with rank Of midship-
man. and has passed through an the inter
mediate grades 90 that of chief-cngineer,
with the rank Of lieutonani-commander.
which he attained in 1881. He was cngi-
noer of the Jeanette which sailed from
San Francisco July s. 1870. under the CONF
maud of Lieutenant George W. DE L0ng,with
the object " discovering an openingto the
supposed Polar Sea hy northeast passage,
near Wrangol land. After the sinking OF
the "Jeaunotte," June l3. 1881, Engineer
/ Melville. accompanied by belong, over the
ice 10 Bennett ISLAND, and after the party
divided. Lieutenant John DanonhOwer being
disabled, commanded one Of the Jean
uotte'sr boats ON the subsequent perilous
passage 90 one Of the eastern mouths
] of the Lena delta, which was
reached on September II. 1881. lie nov
searched for Lieutenant De Long and his
party. and discovered some Of the huts
where DE Long had stayed. and obtained
| from the natives certain Of his records. IN
the following spring, Melville explored The
delta thoroughly for traces OF
| the missing party, and about the
end of March the remains % DE Long
and his eleven companions were
found Melville subsequently returned O.
the United States and was appointed % Tho
position he now holds. He is the author Of
''ln the Lena Delta" published in Boston ir
1850.
At Mr.. scOtt's works at san Francisco
the Charleston was built. and he well known
as am expert ON machinery for naval pw
poses.