VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE (1881) 153 



nouncement that several of the party on board were suffer- 

 ing from lead-poisoning. An examination was made, and 

 traces of lead were found in the water, and in still larger 

 quantity in the tomatoes. It was supposed that the juice 

 of the tomato had acted on the solder used in the tins. 



The Henrietta party returned on the 5th June. Thev 

 landed on the island on 2nd June, and left a record in a cairn. 

 The island was found to be desolate rock, surmounted 

 by a snow-cap. The cliffs were inaccessible ; and dovekies 

 nesting in the face of the rock were the only signs of life. 



On the 10th of June the ice suddenly opened alongside 

 the ship, which settled down nearly to her proper bearings. 

 There was now a small canal on the port side, and into 

 this De Long had a heavy floe hauled so as to receive the 

 pressure in the event of the ice closing. This was at first 

 successful, but later the ice closed in with great force, 

 jamming the ship hard against the ice on the starboard 

 side, and causing her to heel 16° to starboard. Orders 

 were at once given to lower the starboard boats and haul 

 them to a safe position. Melville, while below in the 

 engine-room, saw a break across the ship in the wake of 

 the boilers and engines, and it was evident that the ship 

 was breaking in two. Orders were now given to remove 

 sledges and certain provisions which had long been kept 

 in readiness in case the ship might have to be abandoned. 

 At 4.30 p.m. there was a lull in the pressure, and De Long 

 began to hope that the worst was over, but at 5 p.m. the 

 pressure was renewed with tremendous force. Everything 

 needful for a retreat over the ice was now hurriedly 

 removed to a place of safety. At 6 p.m. it was found 

 that the Jeannette was beginning to fill, and at 8 p.m. 

 everybody was ordered to leave the ship. At 4 a.m. of 

 the 12th the Jeannette disappeared beneath the water, in 

 latitude 77° 14' 57" N., longitude 154° 58' 45" E. 



Preparations were at once begun for the retreat to the 



