The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-14
In Com mand of the Greeley Relief Expedi-
tion.

Illustrated Correspondence Ne,o North Vest.
Peace has its heroes no less than war
When one recalls the long list of brave Off
cers and gallant men who have perished in
the frozen North through their devotion to
the cause of science from the day of Sir
John Franklin to that of DeLong, one is
tempted to declare that as the French say,
the game is not worth the candle. Within
few weeks another daring man, the subject
of our sketch, will begin his perilous ionr-
ney over the icy track strewn with the
wrecks of vessels and the relics of the dead.
But this time it is rather Il mission of hu-
manity than one of scientific or geographical
research that prompts the her0ism. The
Greeley Relief Expedition, which will sail
in April or May, will consist of three vessels
under the general command of Capt. Schley,
and will be fully manned, provisioned and
equipped for voyage of at least two years.
The Greedy expedition, it will be remem-
bered, was sent out something more than
two years ago, to man one of the scientific
polar stations. established by the united ac-
tion of our own and several of the principal
Proteus, was left at Lady Franklin Bay, and
the p arty proceeded northward. For long
time nothing was heard from them. At last
1t was reported that they were in great dis
tress. One expedition has already been dis
patched to their assistance, but without any
success. A pleasant fact connected with the
fitting out of the new relief party Is that one
of the three ships, the Alert, is presented to
the United States for the purpose by the
British Government in courteous recogni-
ton of ;he release years ago by our country
of all claim on one of the vessels deserted in
the franklin search, the Resolute.
Commander Winfield Scott Schley is 45
years old, and Marylander by birth He
left the Naval Academy in 1860, and at the
beginning Of the war was stationed at Ship
Islami with the frigate Potomac. Here, as
throughout the war, he distinguished him
self BY gallant conduct. The next year he
was with the gunboat Winona, of the West
Cuff blockading squadron, and took part in
all of the naval battles up to the fall of Port
| Hudson. His promotion to Lieutenancy
| lauly 16 1862 was made in reward for ex-
| ceptional bravery in the Port Hudson fight.
4
| The step of Lieutenant Commander was
given while he was in command of the gun
bost Wateree. After the war he served in
various vessels until 1867, when he was as
signed TO the Naval Academy as instructor
| Here he remained until 1871, when he was
| again transferred to the Berpicia, at that
| tire in the Asiatic fleet. Since that time he
has been stationed on various vessels, has
visited very many foreign ports, has again
he'd an instructors place in the Academy
aud at the time of his appointment as com
mander of the Greedy Expedition was serv'
ing in an important capacity in the Sava
Bureau of Equipment and Navigation. The
rank of Commander, which he now holds
was conferred upon him in 1874.
The peculiar qualities necessary to an Arc
icexplorer are fully developed in Captain
| Schley. He has experience, courage and pa
thence, is rigid disciplinarian, always JUS
~ well as kind TO his subordinates. The
task he is engaged upon seems almost hope
less one, but if the Greeley party are still II
existence, aud if it is in the power of man tc
help them, Capt. Schley may be confidently
relied upon to accomplish this arduons un
dertakng.