THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION. 



Pareutage and Birth. — Early Influences and Surroundings. — School 

 Life. — The Choice of a Profession. — In the Law Office of Hon. 

 John Oakey. — Forces his Way into the Naval Academy. — A Mid- 

 shipman who dispenses with Red Tape. — Death of his Parents. — 

 Marriage under Difficulties. — Promotion. — On the Juniata. — 

 Commanding the Little Juniata. — A Perilous Boat Journey. — His 

 Recollection of his Experience. — The Arctic Fever. — Powers of 

 Endurance. — Temperament. — Frolics. — His Dealings with Men. 

 — Testimony of an Associate. 



George Washington De Long was born in the city 

 of New York, August 22, 1844, of a family of Hugue- 

 not descent. His parents, who moved to Brooklyn 

 when he was four years old, had no other child, but 

 they had adopted a niece of his mother's, who was his 

 principal playmate. His childhood was one of great 

 seclusion. His mother, especially, was almost morbidly 

 solicitous for him, so that he was jealously guarded 

 from outdoor influences, and restrained from the ordi- 

 nary sports of boyhood. The world seemed to the 

 anxious mother full of perils for her boy, and she was 

 unM'illing that he should meet them in the near pur- 

 suits of swimming, boating, and skating. Home was 

 made bright and happy, and every innocent and safe 

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