New-York tribune., 1884-01-28
FROM THE PEOPLE.
PLANS OF ARCTIC RELIEF.
OFFICERS AyAHABIE FOR THE COMMAND or THE
GRRELY EXPEDITION

GRRELY EXPEDITION.
To me Editor or The Trf0Hne
SIR: To guard against any repetition, ms far
possible, OF the disasters attending the loss OF the
Rodgers and Proteus and to the most capable
and experienced officers for the next Greey relief party
should be the aim and intent OF the Army and Navy
Board now in session ut Washington. The Navy should
not claim TO nand all of the relief parties aud ex-
peditiOns any than the Army, nor should the
claims OF either the West Point Naval Academy
graduates be considered IL Others not graduates but
better fitted by experience and practical training can be
obtained II must be admitted that there are several
each of whom has shown himself capable Of com
manding such expedition, If success is any criterion
Of a mans ability and Fitness than the graduates of the
Government schools Among such men are Leutenants
Hooper and Healy OF the Revenue Service, who have
made numerous successful trips through Behring's
Straits occasion going TO the relief OF Lieutenant
Berry and Of the Rodgers. whom that vessel was IN
mysterious way lost 10y fire while In her winter
quarters in st. Lawrence Bay. These two officers OF
the Revenue Service both wcll-knOwn capable.
energetic aud in every way well-htted for such com
nand.
Al must admit that the ability, sound judgment and
experience OF Chief Engineer Melville whose nae and
in connection with the cruise of the unfortunate
Jcanncte and whose heroic efforts in search OF his less
fortunate shipmates have become part of history.
indicate his fitness for the command OF such an eN-
ucIiiion Tyson also of POaris fame showed himself to
be well fitted for such service the right man in the right
place whether the deck of that vessel during the
long cruise the foe With such material the Govern
mcnt would be well and crcGtably served. - .
without wishing reflect anyone connected WIN the
Rodgers PrOes those who served either OF these
two vessels should be considered available espccl-
ally when other men wider experience and proved MT
for such duty can be obtained The GOYernnen nj
should the pure of two small steam Vssels OF
suitable build prepare them for Arctic service az soon s
possible send under the command OF two OF the
above officers to the relief of the Greey party;
the other two TO seconds in command Let these
officers choose their suboriinates, and their ount
for tgO years they undoubtedly have better prac-
teal knowledge Of what they would require for such
service than any board OF officers whose knowledge OF
Arctic life Is limited to what is found described In books
and certainly they would he interested In such out
IT. knowing that their comfort and perhaps their hVes
would he riskcd this duty lndliierenty performed
In addition to these two vessels especially hted Tor
prolonged ice in the Arctic, the Navy Department
should be directed to send naval vessel well laden with
coal and additional stores to be landed az some point
decided upon by the officers Of the two vessels above
mentioned base of supplies in case OF cmcrgcncy
The naval vessel should return with the Greely party II
found any rate before wintc sets in But give the
officers or the vessels specially fitted for this Arcuc
service carte blanche to find the Greey party If possible
and then both TO extend their cruise as far north
ward they may find practicable. returning 10 one or
two years to the place agreed upon base for their
supplies. In such manner as outlined above, this
Arctic service cnuld be reduced to matter of business
freed from Army Navy routine and rcd-tape, and be
mlueaSrably more certain OF sUrce>S
PUBLIC GOOD.