Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-03-12
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.


Greeley and party the imprisoned Arctic
explorers, 60 on apace. Congress, after
some unseemly wrangliDg, made the
necessary appropriation about three
weeks ago. Commander Schley, of the
navy, an officer of no Arctic experience
but much ambition, has been appointed
leader of the expedition on his own So
licitation, and medical examinations of
the other officers and men who have vol
unteered for the service are now in pro-
grtss. Delays have proved dangerous to
more than one party bound for the frozen
north. Lieutenant Darlington last year
began to prepare for the voyage of the
Proteus almost month later than this and
his unlucky craft did not leave st. Johns,
N. f., until June 27. An earlier passage
it is rue, would probably have had no
different result But, inasmuch as pro-
gress beyond Upernavik will be wholly
dependent on circumstances, a prompt
departure from New York and ST. Johns
on the coming of spring is advisable. No
Arctic expedition, whether for "relief' or
otherwise, at all comparable with this one
in size and perfection ard equipment has
been sent out from any country since the
days of the search for Sir John Franklin.
1t was at first proposed TO start two
ships in time to reach Greenland by May
15 The humane and thoughtful tend I
of the Alert, by the British government,
announced in last weeks dispatches, adds
a third vessel to the command The
Alert, which was the advance ship of Sir
George Mares expedition IS especially
fitted for voyaging amid ice foes and ice
bergs. She has been given to the United
States Internationally. The other two
vessels, bought by this government in
Scotland, are whalers called the Thets
and the Bear. 1t is not 1attering TO
national pride that all three ships ia this
American fleet must be of British origin,
because our flag flies over no craft suita-
bic for the waTk. The Alert is steamer.
She is much larger than either the Thetis
or the Bear and will carry about as many
men as the two combined. On account
of her size she will be used as a supply
ship, and will follow in the wake of the
other vessels SO as to be of service in case
of need. The three vessels will require
the services of about 120 persons, includ
ing officers and crews, and about half of
which number will be assigned to the
Alert. Tie enlistment of men for the
expedition is in progress at Boston, Phil
adelphia, Washington and Norfolk. All
volunteers are subject to a rigid physical
examination, and only the best men are
accepted The assignment of officers is
not yet definitely announced. But 1t IS
probable that the Alert will be COM
manded by Commander John j. Reed or
Lieutenant Commander @. f. Goodrich,
the Thetts by Commander Schley ir per
son, and the Bear by Lieutenant VIM. II.
Emery or Lieutenant 9. A. Bradbury.
With Commander Schley will probably
90 Lieut.. Uriel Sebree ard Lieut.. Emory
Taunt.
1t has been decided to adopt the same
general system of provisioning the expe-
dition for two years as that which proved
SO satisfactory in the Rodgers expedition,
with such additional supplies as will tend
to prevent scurvy. Arrangements have
been made to secure a supply Of reindeer
skins or sealskins for clothing The fol
lowing outline of the plan of operations
! likely to be adopted has been published
"The vessels will sail in company from
Upernavik, searching the shores as they
go, and will make Littleton Island their
first objective point. Here, it will be
remembered, Greeley hoped to meet the
relieving party last summer. If the men
are not found on Littleton Island, a
house, steam life-cutter, coal and sup
plies for one year are to be left in charge
of an officer and two men, and one of the
vessels will endeaYor to push through to
Lady Franklin bay, where the Greely
party were stationed, but leaving supplies
of stores and various records along the
way. The other vessel is not to enter the
| ice-pack unless the first is disabled, but
will sail back and forth outside the ice,
search the shore still further and leave
other supplies. If the first vessel is long
absent, the other will then try to reach
Lady Franklin Bay; but should neither
of them reach there or succeed in finding
the men, one is to winter at Littleton
island and the other in Franklin Pierce
bay"
If Greely's party have survived the
winter a matter about which there is
much doubt,) they are likely to be found
not far south of Littleton island, at the
mouth of Smith sound. They may be,still
at Lady Franklin bay. The Proteus,
failing to reach them last year, was to
land men and stores on Littleton island.
This was not done. Greely was to leave
Lady Franklin bay and work south to-
ward Litttleton island in August or Sep
tember. Probably he did SO. He and
his followers have perhaps starved al
ready - and perhaps not.-St. Louis
GEobe-DemocrGt.