The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-18
ON QUARTER RATAONs.
Lieut. Greedy NarraIes EEis Experience TO
an AssaciuIed Press Reporter.

an Associated Press Reporter.
ST. JOINS, N. f., July 17.-On arrival at
the anchorage, of the relief squadron, this
morning, an Associated Press correspondent
interviewed Lieut.. Greedy and the other five
survivors of the Arctic COLONY, and the follow.
ing facts were disclosed. After passing two
wintersssat Fort Conger in scientific research,
Lieut.. Greedy, with his whole party intact
broke up their encampment ana commenced
their south ward descent. This was accom-
plshe6 amid great Perils from gales of wind
ice hips and other casualties. Cape Sabine
having been reached, g temporary house was
erected, built of stones, covered by the boats
and sails brought along by the party. On the
29th of september winter quarters were estab-
lshed at Cape Sabin The commissariat had
become very meagre, and the cache of proVis-
ious left by the Proteus last year but poorly
supplemented it. The steam launch got i'm
prisoned in the ice few weeks previous, and
had been abandoned. During the whole vim
ter the party were constrained to exist on
quarter rations.
For six weeks previous to rescue regular
provision ceased 10 be given out. Death made
its first havoc 10 the ranks early in January
When one of the men dropped off with the
scurvy. On the 9th of April Lieut.. Lockwood
died, and Mr.. Rice, the photographer, sue
cumbed after an heroic attempt TO secure for
his starving comrades about 200 pounds of
meat supposed to be cached at Bad Greek, Is
miles from the encampment. Mr.. Israel, the
astronomer, persisted May 9th. Lieut..
Kislngbury died June 1st and Dr. Pavev the
naturalist. slept into death June 9th. Not one
of the victims realized that death was near,
and ell died tranquil PEERLESS death. Two
Esquimoux also persisted, one of starvation,
the other drowned. His kayak being pierced
with fome ice on the 17th of April thus cut
ting on all hope OF getting salt meat for the
starving explorers The Esquimoux were the
most faithful and devoted followers and helps
of Lieut.. Greedy, Ellison was rescued and safe
ly brought on board steamship Bear where he
died few days subsequently,. His was an
extraordinary instance of human endurance.
While away some ten miles from
his hut last winter the tenn pera ture
suddenly fell to 4So below zero
His feet and hands were frozen to the bone
and be was dragged by his comrades in an al
most dying condition to the hut. His fest and
hands were literally amputated by the incs-
i've frost and in this terrible state he lived
through the dismal moth that interviewed be-
tween them and their rescue. The bodies sof u
OF the poor victims brought up blythe steamers
Bear and Thetis embalmed witch tanks filed
with alcohol. The survivors all doing we'll
and rapidly gaining flesh aud strength. Lieut.
Geeely who was in an exceeding delicate and
critical condition when transferred to the The
tbs is now able to move about.
This morning he drove out for an hours ride
to get the country air. and came back quite
reSHsctated.
The rescue took place on the 22d of June I'M.
der circumstances of great difficulty. The
Thetis and Bear lay off from shore about 800
yards terrific gale from the southwest blow.
ing, heavy sea running and formidable ice
nip apparently inevitable. Lieut.. Greedy and
the other survivors had to be transferred from
the camp TO the steam launch and whale boat
ia their sleeping bags, and while steaming
from the land to the ships the destruction Of
the Whole party at one time seemed certain
The sea swept fnrionsly over them, and the
fury of the wind threatened at every instant to
capsiZe them.
At length they were safely placed on board
the resculng squadron, where every possible
preparation had been m ade to ensure their re-
covery and comfort. 1t was discovered during
the past winter by Lieut.. Greeley that Cape
Sabine was part of an island, not the main
| land, as was thought by previous geograDhers.
1t is separated from the mainland by narrow
| creek, now called Rice's Strait, in memory OF
| the dead photographer
Lieutenant Greedy informed the Associated
| Press correspondent that a large body of scien.
| titic work had been done during the two
| seasons spent at Fort Couger by himself and
| his lieutenants. About $500 miles of explora
| tion had been effected, and many valuable
observations magnetic, thermometric and
| meteorologic, been made, The Winter of 1881
was the So yerest of the three. The mean Their.
| mometer for February was 48 degrees below
| zero. Seals were observed as high up in lati
| tude as 81 and 50. Several varieties of ducks
| we're observed and a variety OF other birds,
known and unknown to orBthologists. OveI
| hundred musk oxen were slaughtered during
| the two Winters residence at Fort Conger
aud their food proved very valuable food
being palatsble. wholesome and nutritious.
| The whcse tficisl work of the exdedltion's
| plaus, sketches, Photographic pletes aud
| scientific statistics have been saved aud brought
home by Lieut.. Greedy.
The Greedy party reached the highest lai-
| tude ever yet reached by Polar explorers
namely, 1926 800. Tho coast of Greenland
was carried mp to 1886 by observation, and
named Cape Lincoln. The steamship Aler
parted company with the squadron yesterday
| off Turks Island, and has not yet reached THU
port.