The Loss of the Proteus
[The Evening Post,
1883]
How the Men Escaped and were Rescued
The following report from Commander Wildes, of the United
States steamer Yantic, with regard
to failure of the Greely relief expedition, was received last night by
the Navy Department:
"United States steamer Yantic has arrived, bringing
Captain Pike and crew of the Proteus, Lieutenant Garlington, and
Greely relief party. All well. Steamer Proteus, was crushed in ice
six miles north of Cape Sabine July 23. Crew and relief party, after depositing
records at Littleton Island and Pandora harbor, retreated south in six
boats to Upernavik, suffering much hardship in Melvielle Bay. Yantic
reached Littleton Island August 3, without much difficulty. Found records
and immediately proceeded southward. Searched the coast and islands thoroughly
down to Saunders Islands. Ice pack then closed in, and could neither get
around nor through, and was obliged to retreat under lee of Northumberland
Island. August 9, southward gale having loosened pack, was able to get
within twenty miles of land. August 10, having ice in all directions but
southeast, proceeded to Upernavik. Sent fifteen days' rations to Lesinsake
- [Note - Probably intended for Tessuissak, a small settlement between
Shackleton and Upernavik, and about forty miles north of the latter.] -
and whaleboat to Cape Shackleton. On August 22 sailed for coal mine, thence
to Godhaven; on August 31 Lieutenant Colwell arrived in launch from Upernavik,
having been thirty-nine days in open boat. Had separated under orders at
Cape York. Sailed same day for Upernavik. Found party arrived. September
2 proceeded homeward. Rough passage. Permission wished coal here."
The following fuller particulars of the escape are given:
"While endeavoring to force her way through to clear water,
the Proteus was caught between two immense floes, which which quickly
crushed her stout walls. It was soon evident that no efforts would keep
her from sinking. These hatches were then broken open, and all hands set
to work throwing clothing, provisions, and other stores out of the doomed
ship upon the ice. The greater part of the cargo which was thus unloaded
fell into the water and was lost, but enough was saved to insure the comfort
of the party during their retreat southward, and also to make a not inconsiderable
cache for the Greely party should it, as now seems inevitable, be forced
to make its own way southward. Lieutenant Colwell, U.S.N., also suceeded
in saving three boats from the wreck.
"As quickly as possible Lieutenant Colwell loaded one
of the boats with stores, and with a crew of four men, set out for the
shore. The trip was made with great difficulty on account of the ice. Several
successive trips were thus made, and a large quantity of clothing and provisions
safely landed and placed in a cache. The last trip made on the morning
of July 23, and, as the ice had closed in rapidly, the boat and its load
had to be dragged across the ice two miles before it could be launched
in clear water. Even then the floating masses of ice closed in so
rapidly and so angrily that the boat escaped being stove in only by the
narrowest possible chance. The goods placed in the cache were rendered
as secure as possible, and the spot marked so as to be readily discovered
by the party from Fort Conger.
"Having thus done all in their power to carry out the
design of the expedition, the party, on the afternoon of July 25, set out
to cross Smith Sound, and after spending a weary night amid the ice, landed
safely on the morning of the 26th at a cove near Life-boat Cove. The crew
of the Proteus had gone on to Life-boat Cove in there own boats
in advance of the smaller relief party, and now, on the latter's safe landing
on the east shore of the sound, all started forward again for Pandora Harbor,
which they reached on the following morning. The journey during the night
was a most unpleasent one, a hard rain storm raging nearly all the time.
Thinking that either the Yantic or the Swedish steamer Sophia
might be at Cape York, the party next directed its way thither. The coast
was hugged as closely as possible all the way, the boats being too heavily
laden to venture far from shore. Every night a landing was made for the
sake of safety, and further delay was caused by several days of bad weather,
during which it was impossible to make any progress.
"Cape York was at last reached without serious accident,
but there was no sign there of any vessel. So on August 16 the weary voyagers
set out again for the south, making Upernavik their next objective point.
Lieutenant Colwell, with one boat, set out across Melville Bay, intending
to keep on a direct course southward until he should find the Yantic.
But Lieutenant Garlington, with the other boat and the crew of the Proteus,
chose the more circuitous but safe route along the shore. A heavy snow
storm set in on August 17, which was ridden out by the boats at anchor
to the ice. Upernavik was reached on August 24, and there the Yantic
picked up the shipwrecked men and brought them on to St. Johns."
While at anchor in Dutch Harbor on August 12 the Governor
of Elburg came on board the Yantic and reported that the Danish
steamer Sophia had arrived there from a harbor thirty miles north
of Cape York; and that her captain had stated that native Esquimau had
told him that two natives who were with the Greely expeddition arrived
there on sledges last winter and reported that the members of the party
were all well, except Dr. Pavy, who had died. These natives went back to
Lady Franklin Bay. Another Esquimau who arrived from the Greely camp reported
that all the officers had been murdered by the men. Neither of these reports
is trustworthy, as the fondness of the Esquimaux for lying and narrating
sensational stories is notorious."
Editors note: The news report is copied as printed in the
newspaper of the time, including errors and inconsistencies.
source:
The Evening Post, Volume 82,Evening Post Publishing Co., 210 Broadway,
corner of Fulton Street,
New York, Friday, September 14, 1883
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