CHAPTER XXXIII. 



BERRY'S SEARCH EXPEDITION CONTINUED. 



(BURNING OF THE RODGERS AN ICE-FLOE TRAGEDY.) 



AFTER cruising in the Arctic waters in search of the 

 Jeannette during the summer of 1881, the United 

 States steamer Rodgers arrived at St. Lawrence Bay, on the 

 northeastern coast of Siberia, as stated in Chapter IV. 

 Preparations for spending the winter in this harbor were 

 immediately begun, but, owing to continued bad weather, 

 Lieutenant Berry was prevented from building a small house 

 on shore and transferring thither a large part of his pro- 

 visions and supplies as he intended to have done. 



On the 20th of November, Ensign Hunt started up the 

 coast with a team of nine dogs intending to visit Camp Hunt, 

 as Master Putnam's winter-quarters on Eteelan Island was 

 named. This island is located about twenty miles west of 

 Cape Serdze, near the native village of Tiapka, a little east 

 of Nordenskiold's winter quarters, and about 150 miles from 

 St. Lawrence Bay. After going some distance Mr. Hunt 

 was compelled to turn back, owing to severe storms, and he 

 went on board the ship November 29th, leaving his dogs on 

 shore. These dogs were the only ones of the expedition which 

 survived the disaster which soon overtook the crew. Up to 

 this time everything had gone well, and all the men were in 

 good health and spirits. 



At about nine o'clock on the morning of November 30th 

 the startling cry of " Fire ! " was heard, and smoke was 

 seen issuing from the fore-hold, apparently from under the 

 donkey boiler room. The crew were immediately called to 

 quarters, and the hatches were closed to prevent the air 

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