The San Francisco call., 1897-11-10

ELECTED the statement from Secretary
Merry that the organization would aid
the expedition in every way possible, no
selected for the duty.
Lieutenant Stoney wired the command
ant at length, setting forth the intorma-
ton he had obtained and stating that the
Thrasher was in readi mess to make the
trip and the expedition could get away IN
foui or FIVE days at the latest. He was
most enthusiastic over the prospects OF
making the journey, and set about max
ing his arrangements with a rush that
showed his whole heart was in the work.
One of his first acts was to telegraph ia
Ensign H nry Wiley. at present attached
TO The Coast Survey steamer Blake, sta
toned on the Atlantic Coast, asking him
if he would accom- pany the expedition as
second in command. Up to a late hour
last night Lieutenant Stonev had received
no reply but he Is hopeful that Mr.. Wiley
will accep:, as he regards him as in every
yay fitted for the hazardous undertak-
ing.
1t is Lieutenant Stoney's plan. if he has
command of the expedition, to take three
officers besides himself and four picked
men of the navy. One OF the officers will
have the rank OF ensign and will really
have charge of the expedition, as it is the
lieutenants plan to push on ahead with
one man and dog team and notify the
shipwrecked men that succor is on the
way and to lead them back to meet the
rescuers If they are in condition TO travel.
The next officer will be a surgeon nd
Lieutenant Sloney is more particular
about him than any other memb Der Of the
expedition. for if the sailors are found to
be exhausted from lack of food il will re-
ouire the very best of medical care to fit
them for the long journey south to a
point where a ship can PICK them up
early in the spring.
Sailmaker Michael P. Barr will be tine
fourth officer. He Is at present attached
to The naval rendezvous in this city, which
Lieute nant Stoney recently established,
and has already volunteered his services.
He is in every way qualified for the under
taking, and his chief has the highest
opinion of his ability. The four men will
be selected from volunteers from among
the crews of the various warships in port
or stationed at the navy-yard. The call
for volunteers will be made as soon as the
Government decides upon sending the
Tnrasher.
Ii the whaler is sent north Captain
Healy of the revenue service is the man
of all others tnat Lieutenant Stoney would
prefer TO pilot the ship through the ice
to a safe landing place on the north shore
OF Norton Sound. Lieutenant Stoney be-
iieves there is no man living so thoroughly
posted in Arctic navigation as the captain,
who has on numerous occasions picket
his way safely through the floating ice
where others would consider II certain
destruction to venture.
This opinion of Captain Healy is shared
in by the mem bers of the whaling ships,
as the following petition shows:
The Call, San Francisco, Cal.: To your kind
ness and forethought the impr isoned whalers
are inde bted for The prompt action taken by
the Government in preparing TO send the
cutter Bear to their relief.
To insure the success of the under taking we
the undersigned members OF the whaling
feet lately returned from the north, respect
lully request you TO use your influence with
The Government 10 have Captain Healy place
in charge of the expedition, not only on &C
count of his ability as an officer and seaman.
but also Tor the great influence he has over
the natives
he knows tn0 iaugudYe Oh every trlDe, anu
is so well acquainted as 10 be able to call every
native between Point Hope and Point Barrow
by his name. and they entertain for him both
lear and respect and they will go to any ex-
treme to render him assistance.
JOSEPH G. BELAIN, chief officer, Navarch.
w. H. SUMMERS. engineer, Charles w. Nor
gan.
G. GILLEY. boatheader, Thrasher.
G. D. SANFORD. boat-steerer. Alice Knowles.
c. S. CHURD, second ate, Alice Knowles.
CHARLES A SPARKS, chief officer, John
and Winthrop
Knowles
CLARENCE S. BROWN, boat.steerer, Alice
Knowles
J. CASEY, carpenter, California
THOMAS BURKE, ,st-steerer lydia
BENJAMIN WHITNEY. boat-steerer, Alex
ander.
r. S. BECK. boat-steerer, Alice Knowles.