Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-09-25

PrOCeuS SOmeLlmeS the Ice was
blown away by torpedoes. Again the staunch ves-
sells were sent full speed into an ice foe High
up in the "crow's nest" each vessel stood
lookout, anxiousy searching for any sign Of human
life. On deck was sledge with provisions and
medicines and dog team. A launch swung at the
davits.
Nearing Cape Sabine, dilapidated and bellying
tent was seen by the lookouts. The Bear sent
launch. A tottering figure In ragged furs raised
the Flag-of red and white underwear and blue
bunting. 1t Greedy and the survivors of his
eXpedition-seven men out of twenty-five-in the
last stages of starvation and awaiting death. The
scene is too pitiable for description here Men
from the Bear and Thetis cared for the survivors,
took the bodies of the dead aboard and returned
TO the United States in safety. The expedition
had carried the Stars and Stripes "farthest north"
--83 degrees and % minutes. But the rescue ex-
petitions of 1882 and 1883 had somehow failed
need now to inquire into the responsibility.
Maj. Gen. A. w. Greedy and Brigadier General
Brainard, now the only two survivors, agree that
had the Bear and Thets arrived at Cape Sabine
48 hours later only corpses would have been found.
This is the Bear the United States coast guard
cutter that has just made her last voyage. That
rescue voyage was her first under the American
flag. She had been built at Greenock, Scotland,
for the Arctic whaling trade The Scotch with
other peculiarities have passion for putting
ships together so they will stay put. The Bear
steam power. She was 170O tons. And her own
ers built her Of Australian gum and put her to-
gether to fight ice.
And fighting ice she has been ever since. Upon
her return she transferred to the revenue cut
ter service, now the coast guard, and assigned to
duty on the coast of Alaska.
This coast guard service is as full Of romance
and adventure as of hardships 1t was formed In
1915 of the revenue cutter service (1790) and the
life saving service (1S4S). 1t operates under the
Treasury department in times of peace and I'M
der the Navy department in times of war. It's
commandment is Rear Admiral William e. Rey-
nolds Commander Frederick G. Billiard is aid to
commandment There are 235 active stations on the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts the Gulf of Mexico
and the Great Lakes. There are 33 cruising cut
ters 81 inshore patrol cutters, 20 harbor cutters
and various other craft. There are about 400 war
rant officers, 270 commissioned officers, and $500
petty officers and enlisted men. coast guard
academy is maintained at New London, Conn. TO
which admission is by competitive examination.
Apparently there is no end to the duties OF the
coast guard. In addition to enforcement Of the
customs revenue law and the quarantine law and
the protection of seal and other fisheries 1t is as
busy as a boy scout doing good turn to all who
venture upon the waters 1t extends medical aid,
suppresses mutinies, keeps order during regattas,
warns vessels of danger and buries bodies cast
up by the sea. Here's summary Of the 1922 opera
tons:
Persons rescued from peril, 1854.
Persons board vessels assisted, 1881.