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Show THE JEANNETTE SEARCH EXPEDITION. The latest intelligence concerning the government's intended search for the lost Jeanette comes form Philadelphia, where Chief Engineer A.V. Zise, U.S. Navy, has received his orders to accompany the expedition to the Artic. He has informed a Press reporter that the Mary and Helen will probably sail from San Francisco about June 1st. He said: Of course we will stop at Sitka, or some other point for coal, dogs, furs, and other paraphernalia necessary for an Arctic voyage. If we do not find any necessary at Wrangle Island, where we shall probably first stop, we will go to Herald Island, where it was arranged that Captain De Long should leave a message, in case he could not land at the former place. The search along the coast of these two island swill probably take two months, when the Arctic winter will begin. They were then ordered to find a secure harbor at Wrangle Island, and if this is not possible, to cross over to Siberia and go into winter quarters there. During the winter, sledge parties will be organized and sent out in search of news of the Jeannette. Our orders are not to stay north more than one winter, but to prosecute the search after spring opens and remain until winter sets in again. Then we will return to San Francisco. The Mary and Helen will be commanded by officers of 23 men. She will be fully provisioned for the trip and will have plenty of food on board to supply the Jeannette and any other vessels in distress. The Government furnishes all heavy clothing and fur clothing for the officers and men. We will take canned vegetables and meats of various sorts, and 15,000 pounds of pemmican, which I now being made in Baltimore. Very little liquor will be taken. Every man on board is a volunteer, and detail was made by the Department after the men had notified it of their intention to go. There will be no scientists with the expedition; therefore, besides the regular duties of the officers, they will be assigned to various scientific investigations. I am to look out for mineralogic discoveries. All officers are assigned to the special branches. A complete photographic outfit will be on the ship, which will be equipped with everything necessary on a voyage of discovery. We expect to return in about fifteen months. |