The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-18
Facts and Figures Concerning Tides and
Temperature, Winds and Storms The
Shadow of the Aurora Borealis.
The Perils and Privations Of the Retreat
SoutWard to Cape Sabine.
Lieutenant Greedy Expresses Surprise at the
Revelations of Ganibalism- Graphic
Story Of the Death of Pavey.
THE sc1ENr1r1o OBSERVATIONS.

Winds, Tides and Temperature-FaiIure to
Find an Open Sea.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 17-For the pur
pose OF obtaining some idea of the general nature
and probable value of the scientific observations
made by Lieutenant Greedy at Lady Franklin
bay, an associated press agent visited him on
Saturday Lieutenant Greedy first stated the
object of the Lady Franklin bay expedition, viz:
To establish polar station one of the thirteen
suggested by St. Weynect, of Austria, who dis
covered Franz Josef land Simultaneous OBJ
servations of all physical phenomena were to be
taken. A complete programme, which was to
be followed, was arranged by an international
polar Congress, in which representatives of
thirteen nations took part. The observa-
tons, in which the greatest possible ac-
curacy was to be had, were those of
defamation and deviation of the magnetic
needle, temperature of the air and sea, height
Of the barometer, and mean and maximum rise
and fan of the tides All explorations were in
cidental to the main objects of the expedition.
The expedition was fitted out under the author
ity of Congress-, and was composed of three Off
GERS OF the army, an acting surgeon, and
seventy -nine enlisted men from the army. RAJ
tons for seven months were put on the Proteus
which left st. Johns July Z, 1881, with the par
ty She touched at Disco island and Upernavik
to procure sledges, dogs, skins and dog food.
Two Eskemos were added to the party at
Proven. A landing was made at Carey island
IN the north water, and the provisions cached by
Mares III 1875 in the Alert were found in
good condition. At Littleton island
Greedy personally recovered the English arctic
mail left by Sir Allan Young, in the Pandora in
hdHr II 6xr
cache of provisions, for use on the retreat was
made. 1t was the original intention to establish
the polar station at Watercourse bay but
heavy masses of ice rendered Watercourse bay
an exceedingly dangerous anchorage. Moving
to Discovery harbor. the station was there estab-
lsned on the site occupied by the English ex-
ploring part of 1875. The erection of house
was at once commenced and stores and equip
On the 28th of August came the parting be-
tween the Greedy party and the men of the Pro
teus. The little band gathered on the frozen
shore and watched the Proteus as she steamed
slowly down through Lady Franklin bay. On
the evening of the same day the temperature
sank below the freezing point, and the icy arctic
wind wason them in earnest Their house was
finished about week after the Proteus left 1t
was named, in honor Of Senator Conger Fort
.Congera During the first month the cold af-
time at Fort Conger. Later on, in December,
the temperature sank to from SO to
60 degrees below zero, and so remained
for days at time but even in that weather
the cooks favorite amusement was dancing
bareheaded. barearmed, and with slippered feet,
on top of a snow drift During the day the men
dressed in ordinary outside clothing, but their
fannels were very heavy. Five men were gen
orally, for part of day, engaged inscientiic
work, under Greelys directions and in the
duties of the camp; the remainder were en-
ployed generally about one hour day, and they
devoted the remainder of the time to amuse-
ment. All slept in hunks, and the quarters
were heated by large coal stove, the average
heat attained being fifty degrees above. zero.
Checkers, cards. chess and reading were
the amusements of the evening. The life,
Lieutenant Greedy said, was far from lonely