894 APPENDIX. 



shows that in the management of the Jeannette up to the time of her 

 destruction Lieutenant-Commander De Long, hy his foresight and pru- 

 dence, provided measures to meet emergencies, and enforced wise reg- 

 ulations to maintain discipline, to preserve health, and to encourage 

 cheerfulness among those under his command ; and the physical condi- 

 tion of the people was good, with the exception of a few cases of lead- 

 poisoning, the result of eating canned provisions. The fact of the ship's 

 having passed a second winter in the pack without any appearance of 

 scurvy on board sufficiently attests the excellence of the sanitary ar- 

 rangements adopted, and reflects great credit upon her medical officer, 

 Passed Assistant Surgeon James M. Ambler, who throughout the ex- 

 pedition was indefatigable in the performance of his duties. 



Third. As to the circumstances of the loss in the Arctic seas of the 

 exploring steamer Jeannette. 



The Jeannette was sunk on June 13, 1881, from being crushed by 

 the ice in latitude 77° 15' north ; longitude 155° 50' east, after drifting 

 uncontrollably in the pack ice since September 6, 1879. Any vessel in 

 like position, no matter what her model might have been, or however 

 strongly constructed, and subjected to the same pressures as those in- 

 curred by the Jeannette, would have been annihilated. 



She was abandoned in a cool and orderly manner on the evening of 

 June 12, and foundered about 4 A. M. the day following, and the court 

 attaches no blame to any officer or man for her loss. 



Fourth. As to " the provisions made and plans adopted for the sev- 

 eral boats' crews upon their leaving the wreck." 



The contingency of the loss of the vessel had been foreseen and pro- 

 vided for, and when the emergency arose, everything was prepared to 

 meet it. 



The officers and men were divided into three parties and assigned 

 to the boats best fitted for the anticipated work ; boat and provision- 

 sledges had been provided, and more boats, clothing, provisions, and 

 stores were removed from the vessel than could be transported on the 

 retreat. 



The party being thus thrown upon the ice, five days were passed in 

 arranging for the long journey to the land, and the provisions made 

 and plans adopted for the several boats' crews upon their leaving the 

 wreck were judicious, as the evidence shows that ninety days after the 

 destruction of the Jeannette the officers and men were in fair condi- 

 tion, notwithstanding their terrible journey. 



Fifth. As to " the efforts made by the various officers to insure the 

 safety of the parties under their immediate charge, and for the relief 

 of the other parties." 



