898 APPENDIX. 



On March 12, Chief-Engineer Melville was enabled to assemble the 

 relief party at Kas-Karta, the appointed rendezvous, when the search 

 for the first cutter's crew was commenced, and resulted in finding, be- 

 tween March 23 and 27, the remainder of the records, and the bodies 

 of Lieutenant-Commander De Long's party, except those of Ericksen 

 and Alexey, which had been buried in the river. 



The bodies were removed and properly interred on high land near 

 Mat-Vai, safe from the effects of the spring floods. 



After this had been done, three parties were formed under the charge 

 of Chief-Engineer Melville, Seaman Nindemann, and Fireman Bartlett. 

 respectively, and the coasts and upper portion of the Lena Delta were 

 thoroughly searched for the second cutter's party, but without finding 

 any traces of it. The search was continued as far as the river Jana, 

 and as by this time the sledging season was at an end, the parties re- 

 turned to Yakutsk, when Chief-Engineer Melville, with all but five of 

 his men, proceeded home by order of the Navy Department. These 

 five remained with Lieutenant Harber, who had been sent to aid in the 

 search. 



Considering, then, the condition of the survivors, the unfavorable 

 season, the limited knowledge of the countiy, the want of facilities for 

 prosecuting the search, and the great difficulty of communicating with 

 the natives, everything possible was done for the relief of the other 

 parties. 



The following is a list of the officers and crew of the Jeannette, show- 

 ing their assignment to the boats on the retreat, and their final fate or 

 disposition : — 



FIRST CUTTER (XIV). 



Lieutenant-Commander George W. De Long, United States Navy, 

 commanding. Died in the Lena Delta. 



Passed Assistant Surgeon James M. Ambler, United States Navy. 

 Died in the Lena Delta. 



Mr. Jerome J. Collins (meteorologist). Died in the Lena Delta. 



Seaman W. F. C. Nindemann. Sent ahead for relief and rescued 

 by natives ; a witness before the court. 



Seaman Louis P. Noros. Sent ahead for relief and rescued by na- 

 tives ; a witness before the court. 



Seaman Heinrich H. Kaack. Died in the Lena Delta. 



Seaman Carl A. Gortz. Died in the Lena Delta. 



Seaman Adolph Dressier. Died in the Lena Delta. 



Coppersmith Walter Lee. Died in the Lena Delta. 



Seaman Hans H. Ericksen. Died in the Lena Delta. 



