28 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



and coming alongside of us proved to be the U. S. Steamer 

 Tigress, Commander James A. Greer, from Upernavik the 

 previous evening. I boarded her and communicated to Com- 

 mander Greer the result of our reconnaissance, imparting to 

 him the circumstances of wind, weather, ice, and other details 

 relating to his coming journey, up to four o'clock on the after- 

 noon of Saturday, August 9th, at which time we left the neigh- 

 borhood of Cape York. I exhibited to him my chart, showing 

 our track going and returning, reported to him the prevalence 

 of pack and new ice in Allison Bay, and respectfully recom- 

 mended him to strike to the N. W. from Cape Shackelton, in- 

 stead of looking for the Devil's Thumb. 



" I also offered him the services of our entire party and 

 boat, expressing our willingness and readiness to accompany 

 him to the northward in his search for the Polaris, which ser- 

 vices, to our great regret, he declined. Receiving from him 

 his mail and despatches for you, I left the Tigress at two A. M., 

 she immediately steaming to the westward to round Brown 

 Island, and the Little Juniata stood in for her anchorage in 

 front of Jensen's house. The people of the Tigress were all 

 well, in good spirits, and enthusiastic as to their success, which 

 we heartily wished them in spite of our own disappointment. 



" At 8.40 A. M., having received on board the six hundred 

 pounds of coal, left with Jensen on the 2d, and having received 

 from him some seal blubber in case we ran out of coal, we got 

 our anchor and steamed away, passing among the same islands 

 and through the same channels as in going north, and, favored 

 with fine weather and smooth sea, reached the ship without 

 any mishap at eight P. M. to-day, and were warmly received 

 and welcomed back by you and the other officers assembled at 

 the gangway. 



" It now remains for me to hope, in submitting this report 

 to your consideration, that my conduct in the affair will meet 

 with your approbation, and that though we were unsuccessful 

 in the endeavor to find the Polaris or her people, no means 

 w^ere left untried that the nature of the difficulties met with 

 and the limited ability of our boat would allow. I believe the 

 Little Juniata to have accomplished more than was expected 



