The Indianapolis journal., 1884-07-18

found, but was much damaged by lapse of time.
Also that cached by Beebe, at Cape Sabine, in
! 1882. A small amount was saved from the
wreck of the Proteus in 1883 and landed by
Lieutenants Darlington and Colwell, on the beach
| near where Greely's party was found. When
these provisions were consumed the party was
forced to live upon boiled seal skin stripped from
the seal-s clothing and lichens and shrimps
| caught in good weather, when they were strong
enough to make exertions. AS it took 1900
shrmps to fill gallon measure, the labor was
too exhausting to depend upon them to sustain
| lfe entirely. The channel between Cape Sa-
| bine and Littleton island did not close on ae-
| count of violent gales all winter, so that two
hundred and forty rations at the latter point
could not be reached. All of Greelys records,
and all instruments brought by him from Fort
Conger, are recovered and are on board. From
Hare island to Smiths sound had constant
and furious struggle with the ice in impossible
foes. The solid barriers were overcome by
watchfulness and patience. No opportunity TO
advance mile escaped me- and for several
hundred miles the ships were forced to ram their
way from lead to lead through ice varying in
thickness from three to six feet, and when
RATED, much greater. The Thetis and Bear
reached Cape York June 18, after passage of
twenty-one days in Melville bay with two ad-
vance ships of the Dundee whaling feet and con-
tinued to Cape Sabine. Returning seven days
later we fell in with seven others of this feet of
Wostenholme island, and announced Greely's
rescue to them that they might not be delayed
from their fishing grounds nor be tempted into
danger in Smiths sound in view of the reward
OF $25, 600 offered by Congress. Returning across
Melville bay we fell in with the Alert and Lock
| garry off Devils Thumb, struggling through
heavy ice. Commander Coffin did admirably to
get along 50 far with the transport so early in
the season before the opening had occurred
Lieutenant Emery, with the Bear, has supported
me throughout with great skillfulness and un-
tlnching readiness in accomplishing the great
duty of relieving Greedy. The Greely party are
very much improved since the rescue, but their
condition was critical in the extreme when
found, and for several days after Forty-eight
hours delay in reaching them would have been
fatal to all now living The season north is late,
and the closest for years. Smiths sound was
| not open when l left Cape Sabine, but the winter
around Melville bay was the most severe for
twenty years.
This great result is entirely due to the UNI
wearied energy of yourself and the Secretary Of
War in fitting out this expedition for the work
IL has had the honor to accomplish.
Nv. 5. SCHLEY, Commander.
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON
The news of the rescue of Lieutenant Greedy
and several of the party created much excite
ment in this city. The telegram from Com
mander Schley was received by Rear Admiral
Nichols, acting Secretary of the Navy, who
Immediately communicated the contents
to Lieutenant-general Sheridan, acting
Secretary of War. They proceeded to the White
House and showed the telegram to the President
who has taken deep interest in the expedition
and expressed great concern at the sad death Of
so many of the party. "A copy Of the telegram
was telegraphed to Secretary Chandler at West
Point and to Secretary Lincoln at New York
The families of Lieutenant Greely, Lieutenant
commander Schley and Lieutenant Emery were
also informed of the rescue.
Rear Admiral Nichols to-day telegraphed Com
mander Schley at St. Johns as follows: sUse
your discretion about the care and transporta-
ton Of the bodies. Report by wire when ready
to sail for New York. The department sends
most hearty congratulations to yourself officers
and men,"