In July 1879, 33 U.S. Navy officers, enlisted men, and civilians set off on the Navy-operated but privately owned steamer Jeannette from San Francisco, California. The goal was to reach the North Pole. In September the ice froze them in. They made headway only when the ice allowed movement. In June 1881, they were at Henrietta Island. The ice parted and they planned to leave, but on the 12th, the floes closed in tightly, crushing the hull of the Jeannette. The men took three small boats and supplies and began heading for safety - about 700 miles away. Only the boat under the officer Melville survived the ordeal. In this illustration, the Jeannette has just been crushed by the ice floes.