Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-21
The Greedy Relief Expedition.

1t is stated that the outlines of the
plan for the Greedy expedition, mp
proved by the Navy Department. are
practically as follows: The relief party
To go nCrth in two vessels, reaching
Upernayik not later than Nav -:
thence to Littleton Island, endeaVoriar
to open communication with the Eski-
mos ut Cape York. \ depot with one
years supplies, coal, clothing, boats
and n steam launch, should be estab-
lished at Littlcton Island by the first
ship. and left in charge OF an officer
and two men. This vessel would then
approach the borders of the pack, and
push nOrthward at the first favorable
opportunity; the second vessel to cruise
about the edge of the ice. and hold
herself in readiness to establish another
depot on shore in case the first vessel
be lost, and the second required To pro-
ceed northward in her place Should
Smith Sound be comparatively open,
the first vessel VIII proceed to
form secondary dspots at or near
Washington Irving Island, Cape
Collinson, and Carl Ritter Bay; the sec
ond, after making n depot ut Cape
Sabine, to proceed north not farther
than DObbin Bay, unless required bv
disaster to the first vessel. In the latter
case. before proceeding farther, the
second vessel is to land her house, two
boats, and years supplies for the
whole party, in the vicinity of Dobbin
Bay. Should both vessels avoid dis
aster. yet not succeed in communicating
with Greedy, one is to winter in Frank
lin Pierce Bay. and the other near
Littleton Island. The coast = To be-
examined on the way north, and cairns
inclOsing notices of the relief party's
plans establishing ut prominent points
on both coasts. The naval vessel or
tender Is TO 60 rs far rs Littleton Island
or Cape Sabine. Whalers and sealers
are To be asked to keep watch OF the
ice-iloes for any drifting parry. 1t IS
also suggested that an advance shin be
sent up still earlier. If possible, To- re-
lieve the Greedy party, if bv any chance
they should have reached the Danish
settlements or the entrance of Smith
Sound. IL is stated that Commander
w. 5. Schlcy. L.. :. n, has been
selected to take charge of the expedi-
ton.
In many respects this plan seems
well considered, and. in proper hands.
likely to succeed in the desired object.
II may be doubted, however, if the pro-
iectOrs fully realize the inadvisability Of
too great haste in attempting to pro-
coed northward of Littleton Island, or
the strong probability that no satisfac-
tory opportunity for northward progress
will occur in the natural course of
things much before the end of July.
Nothing would be easier than to grind
up two or twenty OF the strongest ships
by pushing them into the pack too
early. On the other hand, n proDer
method Of early relief preceding the
time OF navigation--namel by small
coastwise boat and sledge parties COM
bined-does not seem to have received
any consideration in the report Such
parties would be much more likely TO
get early information than any number
OF vessels entangled in the foes of
shore. 1t is certain from all previous
experience. that the chances are greatly
in favor of finding the party on the
western shore rather than on the Green
land coast. The probability of their
having been able to reach Littleton
Island is infinitesimal. We hope, that.
In addition TO the Government expedi-
ton, large reward will at once be
offered to any one who may succeed in
rescuing the party. This would enable
private parties to make their prepare
tons for such an attempt before all the
whalerS and sealers have left port.
would greatly increase the chances of a
rescue, and would put all parties OF
their mettle. To neglect this precau
ton would be almost criminal. Science
-Canada's Upper House of legisl,
ton, or Senate, has little attention OF