CHAPTER IT. 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITIOJ^. 



Conversation with Mr. Griniiell. — Proposal to Mr, Bennett. — Mr. 

 Bennett's Response. — Delay in Plans. — Search for a Suitable 

 Vessel. — Purchase of the Pandora. — Sketch of Operations. — 

 Dr. Petermann's Views. — Lieutenant De Long repairs to England. 



— Balloon Ascensions. — The Pandora renamed the Jeannette. 



— Lieutenant Danenhower joins the Ship. — the Voyage to San 

 Francisco. — Action of Congress. — Survey of the Ship. — Inter- 

 view with Secretary of the Navy. — Alterations of the Jeannette. 



— Considerations of Economy. — Captain De Long's Labors. — 

 The Officers of the Party. — The Crew. — Advice from Outsiders. 



— Orders for the Expedition. — Mr. Bennett's Farewell. — Outlook. 



When the Juniata was ordered to the coast of Green- 

 land, Lieutenant De Long called upon Mr. Henry Grin- 

 nell, of New York, to obtain from him any information 

 which his long connection with Arctic explorations 

 could afford. Mr. Grinnell offered the use of charts 

 which had been employed on the several expeditions 

 he had fitted out, and upon the return of the Juniata 

 Lieutenant De Long restored these charts to Mr. Grin- 

 nell, and acquainted him with his own experience. The 

 two held a long talk upon Arctic subjects, and shortly 

 after Lieutenant De Long dined at Mr. Grinnell's in 

 company with Dr. Bessells and other Arctic voyagers. 

 At this dinner Mr. De Long asked Mr. Grinnell : — 



" Why do you not fit out an expedition to the North 

 Pole ? I should like much to take command of one 

 and solve the problem. You have tried so often you 

 ought to try again." 



