The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-26
TO THE arctic.
Departure of the Steamer Bear on Her Voy-
age OF Mercy.
Now York Herald

New 1Ork Herald.
The craft had been pushed ont several
Yards from the bukhcad, and across the
narrow gang-plank running from the rail
to the stringpeace was Il continuous process
sion Of friends who came TO bid goodbye TO
the officers and men, or who came with
more substantial offerings OF goodwill in
the shape OF packages OF gifts and things
calculated to make the weary m0notony OF
an Arctic trip more bearable. Flowers
came early in the morning; then great
plaque, as OF a bears head on a plat
ter, all made OF pink and white carnations,
with furnishings Of Gala lilies and rich
Jacquemii ot roses. Then came the regula-
ton floral ship and a sled, also in blossoms,
while other cut-liOwers soon turned the
spacious top OF the saloon skyight into 4
| bed OF flowers, and about the poop deck
vas delicious Odor completely hiding the
usual tarry smell.
THE LAST RUSH OF PREPARATION.
With the noon hour came the crowd OF
civilian spectators and many prominent
officials in the naval service. Commodore
| Fillebrown came TO the scene With the
members OF his staff. Captain Kirkland,
the yard c0mmandant, WAS there. Chief
Constructor Wilson, Pay Inspector steven
son, and Chief Engineer Melville were also
present. Captain ID. l.. Braue. OF the
| Juniata, OF TIE Polaris expedition, came
and added his good wishes to the general
congratulations also Pay Inspector \. u.
! Bache, and the greeting, between himself
| and Captain Emory were very warm, as
they had not met since they served TO-
gether on the IroqliS on the CHINA coast
many years ago.
| The Juniata. from the Newport torpedo
station, arrived with the magazine stores
for the Bear. and they were carefully
passed aboard and stored away under the
wardrOom floor IN Il very Snu% compart-
ment, where they could be readily sub
merged in case 81 danger. The list OF eN-
plosiyes included sixteen tanks OF powder.
fourteen cases OF gun-cotton, eight pack
AGES OF loaded torped0es. and two hum
dred unloadcd t0rpcdoeS. The majority
Of this heavy power Of explosives will be
employed In ice-blastng. 4 number OF
heavy boxes also taken in contained the
supply Of fixed ammunition for the rifles
ana saot.guns stored in the racks.
TRYING THE ENGINES.
All this time there rolled out from the
capaciouS funnel mouth OF the Bear . heavy
column OF smoke, and below the iiremCn
were shovelling IN coal with = liberal hand.
The screw was started in order to try the
engines. and the order came for all hands
to pass ashore except those who were
booked for the trip. The men OF the crew,
who had marched over from the Colorado
but short time before with their bags Of
dunnage. were drawn mp on tn main deck,
.,I,,i- dor 80 tpV
addressed them on the purpose OF the trip.
He read the brief instructions OF Secretary
Chandler. already published in the Herald,
and then telegram just receiTed from the
Secretary, in which he said:
"To Captain Emory wish You and
all your comrades good health, good cour,
age, and good luck. Goodbye"
The cheering reply sent by Captain En-,
orv was read, and Commander Schley
added a few words, saying: ~ think that
YOU will be able to accomplish what the
Secretary and the country are looking to
YOU for. | know that you will do all IN
your power. and that you will in that way
be successful. | hope that there VIII he
no man whom t will be necessary to pun
ish IN any way for any neglect OF duty. l
want Won to understand that the idea Is To
rescue Lieutenant Greedy aud his com
rades, and with all that has been done by
our friends at home the task now rests
with YOU and the excellent officers a>So-
ciatcd i'm the work." "Now, men, to
work." was the sharp command OF Lieu,
tenant Usher. and the men went forward
and began lowering away the heavy cham
cables which held the Bear to the bulk
head. The tug Catalpa came up beside
her. and soon the little steamer was under
sin Gle lines, and with screw revolving was
swinging about so that she could back out
Of the narrow bay in which she was stu
ated. Captain Emory was on the bridge
and beside hun were Pilot Barrymore ant
Onicer-oi-the-Deck Colwell.