202 GREELY EXPEDITION 



of Mount Carey to Hayes Sound, saw on the northern coast three capes west- 

 ward of the furthest seen by Nares in 1876. The sound extends some twenty 

 miles further west than is shown by the Enghsh chart, but is possibly shut 

 in by land which showed up across the western end. 



'The two years' station duties, observations, all explorations, and the 

 retreat to Cape Sabine, were accomplished without loss of life, disease, seri- 

 ous accident, or even severe frostbites." 



Although the attainment of the latitude Lockwood reached meant an 

 advance of only four miles toward the pole, it lives in history with the records 

 of Kane, who reached latitude 80 degrees, 30 minutes in 1854; of Hall, who 

 attained 82 degrees, 16 minutes in 1871, and Nares, who five years later got 

 as far as 83 degrees, 30 minutes. These, of course, do not take in^o the ac- 

 count the later marks of Peary and of Nansen. 



The life of the explorers there in the cold and lonely land was not unpleas- 

 ant at that time. They were under military discipline, and their habits were 

 prescribed with an especial view to their health and comfort. There was 

 plenty of good food then, and everything seemed to point to a triumphant 

 return. 



Then came the chapters of misfortune. Greely had orders from the 

 War Department based upon the theory that relief would be sent him, 

 and he would be taken off from Fort Conger. These orders, however, did 

 not cover the possibility of ships being unable to get through to the party. 

 These were the orders : 



"In case no vessel reaches the permanent station in 1882, a vessel sent In 

 1883 will remain in Smith's Sound until there is danger of closing by ice, 

 and on leaving will land all her supplies and a party at Littleton Island, 

 which party will be prepared for a winter's stay, and will be instructed to 

 send sledge parties up the east side of Grinnell Land to meet this party. If 

 not visited in 1882, Lieutenant Greely will abandon his station not later than 

 September i, 1883, and will retreat southward by boat, following closely the 

 east coast of Grinnell Land until the relieving vessel is met or Littleton Island 

 is reached." 



It is the part of army men to obey orders; and on August 9, 1883, Greely 

 and his men left Fort Conger, and journeyed to Cape Sabine by boats. This 

 trip took two months, and was attended by great privation. At one time 

 the party was adrift for thirty days on an ice-floe, but they were driven upon 

 Cape Sabine, and made camp there. Now they learned of the destruction of 



