The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-19
THE RESCUE.
The Story of the First Man at
Greely's Camp.
Pilot NOrman's Graphic Description Of
the Event.
Raggard and GhassIy Condition of the
Survivors.

ST. JOHNS, N. F., July 18.-Commander
Schley has received instructions from the Sec
rotary of the Navy to remain at st. johns I'M
til there are twelve iron caskets constructed to
receive the bodies of the deceased explorers.
The survivors are all doing well, but are still
weak and suffering from nervous prostration.
Lieut.. Greedy, Sergt. Brainard, and the others
are improving. The weather here is delight
full, and all that could be desired for the suffer-
ers, the thermometer ranging between 65 AID
70
Great sympathy is evinced with the sarvi-
vors and the dead, and every token of respect
is manifested toward them. The stately ships,
the Thetis and Bear, as they ride quietly at
bre and mournful appearance, with their flags
flying at haif-mast
The United States war ship Alert arrived at
8 O'Clock this evening. She was some thirty
hours overdue, which fact csnsed much ankle
ty Her detention was caused by fog and the
search for the remaining ships of the squadron.
ST. JOHNS, N. f., July 18.-From Mr.. Nor
man, the second pilot of the Thetis, who was
the first to enter Greely's camp, the following
graphic sport has been elected:
At o'clock on the evening Of the 22d of June
having found record previously, three miles north
of Cape Sabn ne, we proceeded in a steam launch to
the spot indicated as the camping ground Of the
Greedy party. As we approached within two yards
of the shore We saw man staggering down the hill
side toward eice fort. He had small staff in his
chief. This he feebly waved.
AS soon the steam launch struck the shore
shore. The ma proved to be Long one of the
freely party. He wore a haggard, CHASTITY look and
was scarcely ably to stand. He muttered out his
words.
We asked him how all hands were
He replied 'There are seven of US left.''
l ran up Immediately to the place where he
pointed ont the camp Captain Ash and Iieuten
ant Caldwell went back to the launch to bring
some pemmican, biscuits and some stimulating
drinks
Whea came within few yards of the tent
cried out, Cheer up, Greelyp'
lis that you, Norman" family replied Lieut..
Greedy, who knew my voice although three years
had elapsed since babe him farewell in the Proteus
in Lady Franklin sound.
fierce storm eas blowing, and the tent had fall
en- on its wretched occupants. cut and tore it
open, entered and saw with horror the pale form of
Greedy lying in the middle of the camp encased in
his sleeping bag. and Ellison with bis hands aud
feet lost by the frost since the first of the previous
year. Biederbiek lay down listlessly in front of
Greedy COnnell pointed at by his comrades as dying
was reclining in motionless posture on Greedy.
Brainard was reclining alone under shelter, and
could not be seen by his other comrades in msfjr-
tune.
Immediately Capt. Ash the lieutenant colonel and
the chief engineer arrived and we at once began to
administer small doses of food of the lightest de-
scription.
The men at first were ravenous and loudly insist
ed on getting more and more food. We refused to
CRAFTY their Wishes fearing disastrous results from
overeating. The launch despatched to the
steamer and brought on shore to assistance Drs.
Ames and Greene and Commander Schley. Prepare
tions were at once made to convey the party on
board. All the records were gathered up and ev-
erything worth saving was carried down to the
launch. We left nofling behind but some clothnS
and few of the wretched food on which
Greedy and his men had been living for weeks. This
consisted chiefly of scraps of sealskins cut up in
small pieces about the size of cent piece 1t had
been stewed and converted into kind of broth with
some shrimps and sea weed. This repulsive stew
formed the sole diet of Greedy and his unfortunate
comrades