Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-19
THE FIRST LIGHT.
Graphic Description of the Finding of the
Survivors of the Greedy Expedition by
the Relief Ships

Graphic Description of the Finding of the
Survivors of the Greedy Expedition by
the Reliefships.
ST .TOHNS, n F., July l8.-The coming
of the relief ships into the hsrbor yesterday
was the first intimation given of the rescue
of Greely. The Thetis led the fleet, and as
she came up into the harbor, rounded to
aud dropped anchor, followed by the Bear
and Lock Garry, the newspaper men ha l
got boat, and with several officers OF the
city, and the Custom House Inspector, put
off to board the Thetis, on which Com
mander Schley who had charge Of the ex-
petition, was.
How did you find the partyf' was the
first question asked
"0n the 22d Of June we sighted signals
of distres at distance Of about seven
miles 1t was about nine o'clock p m and
the sun shining brightly, but bitterly cold
After considerable trouble we steamed down
toward the pack ice upon which they were,
and horrible sight met our eyes. Lieu,
tenant Greely, Brainard, Fredericks.
Long, Biederback and Connell were
CRYING like children and hugging each
other franticaly. They seemed frantic with
ioy. put of in a cutter, and after great
difficulty reached them. They flew at me
and at first imagined they were crazy
They seized each ofthe men in the boat
hugging them, kissed their hands, and did
everything one could imagine to show their
ior and gratitude All but poor Ellison
His feet and ans were so badly frozen
that he could no: move. He Law stlll on the
ground and moaned. The Others Of the
party. also were more Of less frost bitten.
hut thev seemed to forget their Sufferings
First to Enter.
Mr.. Norman, ice pilot of the ThetiS. who
was the first man to enter Greelys camp
gives graphic report of the rescue. "At $
O'Clock on the evening of the 22d of June
having previously found record three
miles north of Cape Sabine, We proceeded
in the steam launch to the spot indicated as
the camping ground Of the Grcely party.
As we approached within two yards Of the
shore, we saw man staggering down the
hillside toward the ice fort. He held
small flag staff in his hsud, attached to
which was a piece OF handkerchief. This
he teebly waved As soon as the
steam LAuiltu SiTuSk llle suOFc Sdpbdlu aSut
OF the Bear, and myself jumped on the
shore. The man proved 10 be Long, one Of
the Greely party. He wore a haggard aud
ghastly look and was scarcely able to stand.
He muttered ont his words They asked
him how all hands were he replied: There
are seven of us left ran up Immediately
to the place where he pointed out the camp.
Captain Ash and Lieutenant Colwell went
back to the launch to bring some pemmi-
can, biscuits and some stimulating drinks.
When / reached within few yards oftent
| cried out Cheer up, Greely. is that
YOU, Normany family replied Lieutenant
Greely, who knew my voice, although three
wears had elapsed since bsde him farewell
on the Proteus. in Lady Franklin Sound.
The Tent Dowa.
The tent had fallen down on its wreschad
occupants. cut and tore it open. entered
and there saw with horror the pale, shriv-
eled form of Greely lying in the middle OF
the camp encased in his sleeping bag; E1i-
son. with his hands and feet Topped OF by
frost since the 6rst Of the previous year.
Beidbeck lay down hstlessly in front OF
Greely. Conneil, pointed at BY his COM
rades as dying, was reclining in notion
less posture on Greely Brsinard lay down
slone under the shelter offs corner OF The
tent and was separsted to the eye froa bis
comrades in misfortune