900 APPENDIX. 



Sixth. As to " the general conduct and merits of each and all the 

 officers and men of the expedition." 



There is conclusive evidence that aside from trivial difficulties, such 

 as occur on shipboard even under the most favorable circumstances, and 

 which had no influence in bringing about the disasters of the expedi- 

 tion, and no pernicious effect upon its general conduct, every officer 

 and man so conducted himself that the court finds no occasion to im- 

 pute censure to any member of the party. 



In view, then, of the long and dreary monotony of the cruise, the 

 labors and privations encountered, the disappointment consequent upon 

 a want of important results, and the uncertainty of their fate (and 

 apart from a natural desire to tread lightly on the graves of the dead), 

 the general conduct of the personnel of the expedition seems to have 

 been a marvel of cheerfulness, good-fellowship, and mutual forbear- 

 ance, while the constancy and endurance with which they met the hard- 

 ships and dangers that beset them entitle them to great praise. 



Besides the mention already made, however, special commendation 

 is due to Lieutenant-Commander De Long for the high qualities dis- 

 played by him in the conduct of the expedition ; to Chief-Engineer Mel- 

 ville, for his zeal, energy, and professional aptitude, which elicited high 

 encomiums from his commander, and for his subsequent efforts on the 

 Lena Delta ; and to Seamen Nindemann and Sweetman, for services 

 which induced their commander to recommend them for medals of 

 honor. 



Finally, it should be stated that there are several of the survivors of 

 the Jeannette who have not yet returned from Siberia, and whose testi- 

 mony might or might not modify the conclusions set forth in this report. 



Wm. G. Temple, 

 Commodore, United States Navy, president. 

 Sam. C. Lemly, 

 Master, United States Navy, judge-advocate. 



And the doors having been reopened, the court then, at 4 p. m., ad- 

 journed to await the further orders of the honorable Secretary of the 

 Navy. Wm. G. Temple, 



Commodore, United States Navy, president. 

 Sam. C. Lemly, 

 Master United States Navy, jit dye-advocate. 



