Collins, Jerome J., 1841-1881

Meteorologist and New York Herald correspondent aboard the USS Jeannette that sailed from San Francisco, CA on July 8, 1879 on an expedition to the Arctic region in search of the "Polar Sea". The ship became trapped by and eventually crushed by ice and sank almost two years later. The crew carrying as many supplies as possible and towing three smaller craft struck out through the ice fields searching for open water and a route to northern Siberia and eventual rescue. In September of 1881, the crew finally reached open water and Collins boarded one of the cutters along with thirteen other crew members that included LCDR George W De Long, Jeannette's captain. The cutter finally reached the Lena River Delta, but became separated from the other two boats. Sometime in October 1881, all but two of this party perished from the bitter cold and lack of nourishment. Their remains were later discovered by George Melville the Chief Engineer of the Jeannette who along with eleven crew members had made contact with the native peoples and were rescued. Collins, De Long and the rest of their party were initially buried near where they had fallen, but were later removed and returned to New York.