THE ARCTIC EXPLORING PARTY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1680, 16 February 1882, Page 2

THE ARCTIC EXPLORING PARTY.

Tidings have been received by the San Francisco mail of the Jeanette from the survivors, who reached St. Petersburg on December 26. She was caught in the ice on October 2, 1879, and drifted about in the ice pack until June last, when she was abandoned in 1 1 north, long 157" east. The crew embarked in three boats, ami were separated by wind and fog. A boat with eleven men, in charge of Engineer Melville, reached Northland on September 11 j and boat No 1 bearing commander De Long and twelve men, reached the same point in a pitiable condition. No. 3 boat has not been heard from. The first boat was discovered by the natives at Cape Barton, 90 miles north of Cape Bitoff. The Governor of Yakutsk ordered supplies and medical assistance for the sufferers. With reference to the missing boat, the captain of a steam whaler said be had seen a boat containing corpses and also silver spoons marked “Jeanette.” The bout had been cast up on Herald Island. The following was received from the American Charge d’Affaires at St. Petersburg!!“ Duncan Power and five of the crew of the whaleboat arrived at Yakutsk on December 17. Tiiey were comfoitably lodged and all their wants supplied. The Russian Government ordered the inhabitants of Yakutsk to search the coast for the missing men.” A London cablegram on January 31, states Towards the latter end of December intelligence was received that the Arctic exploring party despatched by Mr J. G, Bennett in the Jeanette had been discovered on the coast of East Siberia. The crew abandoned the ship in three boats, two of which arrived safely, but grave fears were felt as to the fate of the third. Intelligence lately received renders it probable that Lieutenant Delons, the commander of the Jeanette, and his companions reached Melville Isl tnd at the extreme of the North American continent, and hopes are now entertained that they will be saved.