The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-17
Purchase by the Government of the
Steamer Tigress.
ORDERED TO THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD
The Navy Department Alive to the I'm
portance Of the Search.
The TigreSs To De Fitted Out and Sent TO
Rescue the POariS.

WASHINGTON, June 10, 1873.
1t will be remembered that, shortly after the ori.
cial despatch OF Consul Maloy, at st. Johns, New
foundland, reached the Secretary OF the Navy, an
nouncing the rescue of Captain Tyson and his party
from the ice foe by the English sealing steamer
Tigress, proposition was made by the owner of
that vessel to go in search OF the Polaris. Secre-
tary Robson was anxious to send assistance, but
did not feel authorized to do so until he was
officially possessed of information which would
justify the expense. The examination OF Tyson
and his party being finished on Saturday, Profess
sors Baird OF the Smithsonian, Hilgard OF the
Coast Survey ana Newcomb OF the Naval Observa-
ences, held meeting, and recommended to the
President that the interests Of science would be
greatly promoted If the Poaris could be found.
This endorsement in connection with the evidence
to be submitted to the President, warranted the
Secretary OF the Navy in
PURCHASING THE TIGREsS,
and. the owner having agreed this vessel is now on
her way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to be fitted
out Instructions have already been sent to the
Commandant OF the yard to anticipate her arrival
and make every preparation for the WORK designed
The Tigress Is expected not later than Monday
next when Secretary Robson, Chief Constructor
Hanscom, and w. w. Wood, chief of the Bureau of
Steam Engineering, will be in New York to inspect
the vessel and decide what must be done to At her
out for good service in Arctic waters In the
event that the Tigress arrives before that time the
Commandant Of the Brooklyn Navy Yard is ordered
to appoint Board to perform the duty. The en-
tire force of the yard Will be put to work to carry
out
THE ORDERS OF THE SECRETARY,
and 1t will be prosecuted day and night
so that the Tigress may be ready by
the 4th OF July. No exertion will be
spared to accomplish the designs of the Secre-
tary. The commandant OF the Tgress will be Com
mander James A. Greer. at present Professor OF
Seamanship at the Naval Academy, and considered
an oficer Of great merit and experience. He is
40 years OF age, graduated at the Academy, number
two in his class, commanded important expedi-
tons during the rebellion, and is
uaTluS OHCeI. LlcuIcHdHt CoumuHucI VHieC
will be the executive ohlcer. Chief
Engineer Mitchell has written letter to the Sec
rotary to the effect that he will cheerfully go in
his capacity. Other officers of the navy, now on
waiting orders,
ARE ANXIOUS TO BE ASSIGNED
to the expedition. 1t Is fact that naval officers
who have had no opportunity in carrying out
scientific views concerning Polar expeditions are
anxious now to test the opinions prevailing at the
Navy Department on this subject. The Tigress
is reported as q vessel of about four
hundred tons, and as she was built especially for
the sealing shores, it is thought that she will not
require much Improvement. The Juniata will
carry surplus OF coal and such supplies as the
Congress transported to Disco for the Poaris two
years ago.
THE ORDERS OF COMMANDER GREER
will be to the effect that he must spare no effort to
penetrate the Northumberland Straits to find the
Polaris. Charts are now being prepared at the
photographic ONCE and maps at the Smithsonian
Institute for the guidance OF the commander of the
Tigress. II necessary all other work at the Brook
Ign Navy Yard will be stopped to carry out Secre-
forv Roheaop's insfructiona