Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-16

WASHINGTON, april 14.-Reports have
recently been published to the effect that
much uneasiness is felt by the officers of
the signal service and Arctic experts of
this city with regard to the safety of Lieu
tenant Greely's meteorological station
party at Lady franklin bay. There is
danger, it las been said, that the relief
expedition now being formed will fail to
reach Tits destination, as the relief expe-
dition did last year, and that Lieutenant
Greelys party will be forced to retreat IN
aided down the rugged coast of Grinnel
land next winter, and that this enforced
retreat may be as disastrous as that of
Lieutenant Commander De Long through
the Lena delta.
the situation Of Lieut.. Greely's
here by those who have given the most
careful attention to the subject, and of the
measures which are to be taken to secure
the safe return of that party to America.
Fort Conger, which is the meteorological
station established by Lieut.. Greely's par
ty in the summer of 1881, is situated on
the eastern coast of Grinnel land, just
north of Lady Franklin bay, in about lati-
tude 81 degrees 40. It is further north
than the winter quarters of any Arctic ex-
petition which ever followed the Smith
sound route with the exception of the
Polaris expedition, and the expedition of
Sir George Mares, in 1875.
The coast of Grinnel land, south of the
meteorological station iflextremelY wi d.
rugged and desolate, and for the distance
of at least 800 miles is entirely uninhab-
tied. The nearest permanent settlement
of natives, SO far as known, is that of the
Etah Eskimos on the other side Of Smith
sound, $50 mixes or more from the station
Lit. Greely's party, therefore, is entirely
isolated from all local assistance, and
must depend for its safety, first, upon its
own exertions, and second upon the CO.
operation of a relief expedition from this
country.
The party is supplied with provisions
enough to last until the summer of 1884
but it is Lieut.. Greely's intention to re-
treat southwark down the coast of Grin
mel land next winter, as indeed he must if
the second relief expedition fails to reach
his station.
This relief expedition, which is now be
ing organized, will consist of fourteen
men, including a capable ice pilot and
three experienced sailors, selected from
the Newfoundland sailing feet, and will
be under the command of Lieut.. CARING
ton of the Seventh cavalry. 1t will b.
abundantly supplied with provisions
sledges for clothing and necessary equip
ments of all kinds for winter campaign
and will sail from st. Johns, Newfound
land, in a staunch sealing steamer abou
the first of next July.
If this steamer makes a fair averag
passage it willreach the mouth of Smith
sound before tie LIST of August, and Wi
then be only about 200 nautical mile
from Lieutenant Greely's station. A
this point, however, the real difficulties o
the expedition are likely to begin. 1t i
more than probable that Smiths soun
will be SO blocked up with heavy pack ic
and immense bergs from Humboldt gls
cier, that it will be impenetrable through
out the short navigable season
and that the expedition will b
stopped at the very gateway G
the narrow, ice-choked channel which lead
up to Lady Franklin bay. In this even
the relief party will be landed with
ready-made house and all the stores &
Life Boat cove on the eastern side of til
sound, opposite Cape Sabine, where the
will go into winter quarters.
The steamer will then return TO Americ;