The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-25
Rescue of the Greely Party.
SEWN OF THE TWENTY-FIVE ARCTIC ExPLo'
RERs FOUND ALIVE.


After long and terrible suffering the
Greedy explorers have been rescued by
Commander Schley, sent out by the gov
ernment for that purpose. The following
telegram from Lieutenant Greely to Cen
eral Hazen, gives some idea of the exper-
ience of the exploring party
ST. JOHNS, N. F. July II.
Chief Signal Officer, Washington
Brainard, Bierdenbick, Connell, Freder-
icks, Long myself, sole survivors, arrived
to-day, having been rescued at point Of
death from starvation by relief ships Thetis
and Bear June 22, at Camp Clay, North
west of Cape Sabine. All now in good
health, but weak. Sergeant Ellison res
cued, died July g. Cross died last january;
Christensen, Linn, Rice, Lockwood, jew
ell, Edwards in April Ellis, Ralston,
Whistler, Israel, in May; Kislingbury, Ma
lor, Henry, Bender, Pavy, Gardiner, Sch
neider, in June.
| Abandoned Fort Conger, August 0. Fro
zen in pack off Victoria Head, August 20.
Abandoned steam launch, September II,
eleven miles northeast of Cooked Hat Is
land. When on point of landing, were
three times driven by Southwest storms
into Kane's Sea. Finally landed, Septem.
ber 30, in Baird Inlet. Learning by scout
ing parties of Proteus disaster, and that nc
provisions had been left for us from Cape
Isabella to Sabine, moved and established
Winter quarters at Camp Clay, half way
between Sabine and Cooked Hat. Inven
tory showed that by daily ration, four ant
one-third ounces meat, seven bread an(
dog biscuits, four ounces miscellaneous
party would have ten days full ration
left for crossing South Sound to Littletol
Island, March /.
Unfortunately Smith Sound remainet
open the entire Winter, rendering cross
ing impossible. Game failed, despite daily
hunting from early February.
APPROACHING STARVATION.
Before sun returned only 500 pounds o
meat obtained. This year minute shrimps
seaweed, sassafras, rock lichens and seal
skin were resorted to for food, with result
as shown by number of survivors. Las
regular food issued May IA. Only 10
pounds of meat left by Darlington CON
PEELED me to send in November four me-
to obtain 144 pounds English meat at lisa
bella. During trip Ellison froze solid, bot
hands and feet, and lost them all, surviy
ing, however, through one terrible winte
and spring until July 8. Survivors ow
their lives to indomitable energy of cal
tain Schley and Lieutenant Emory, VIII
preceded by three, and accompanied b
!. five, whalers, forced their vessels frol
Upernavik through Melville Bay into Mort
Water at Cape York with the foremo:
, whaler, They gained yard whenevt
possible, and always held it.
i Smith sound was crossed and partly re-
cued during one Of the most violent gal,
have ever known. Boats handled only
imminent risk of swamping. Four of I
then unable to walk, and could not ha,
survived exceeding twenty-tour hour
Every care and attention given us. Save
and bring back copies meteorologics
tidal, astronomical, magnetic, pendulu
: and other observations; also pendulum
Yale and standard thermometers. Fort
eight Photographic negatives, collection
blanks and Photographic proofs. Eskin
relies and other things necessarily aba
Q doned. Thetis remains here five da
= probably.
# (Signed) GREELEY, Commanding.
Lieut. Greeley sailed from st. JOIN
} July 7th, 1881, in the steamer Protel
r Several relief expeditions were made
a his rescue, the second one starting out
al June 1888. Their vessel was crushed
3 the ice and they were obliged to retire
The last .and successful expedition
New York in May, 1884.