ARCTIC EXPLORATION. 



29 



observers at Lady Franklin Bay, received sug- 

 gestions, orally and in writing, from various 

 experts in Arctic navigation and exploration, 

 including Ca.pt. George E. Tyson, of the Hall 

 Expedition; Lieut. W. I. Hunt, U. S. N., one of 

 the officers of the Rodgers in her search for 

 the Jeannette ; Lieuts. Garlington and Colwell, 

 and Capt. Pike, of the expedition of 1883, 

 Lieut. Schwatka, and Dr. Ernil Bessels, chief 

 of the scientific corps of the Polaris Expedi- 

 tion. The report of the commission, based on 

 the results of its inquiries, was submitted early 

 in February. A programme for the expedition 



expense, and to require that only volunteers 

 should be sent on the relieving vessels. These 

 restrictions were not adopted. The Secretary 

 of the Navy had already made arrangements 

 for the purchase of two Dundee sealers, the 

 Thetis and the Bear, the former of which was 

 obtained in London, and the latter at St. John's, 

 Newfoundland, and an inquiry having been 

 made as to the possibility of obtaining from 

 the British Government the Alert, which' had 

 been the advance ship of the Nares Expedition, 

 that vessel was presented to the Government 

 of the United States without condition. 



was mapped out, which was substantially that 

 subsequently followed. 



In the mean time a joint resolution had been 

 adopted by the two houses of Congress, giving 

 all needed authority for the expedition, and 

 placing its preparation under the charge of the 

 Secretary of the Navy, practically without re- 

 striction. Some controversy arose between 

 the two houses over propositions to limit the 



Before the vessels were received, the princi- 

 pal officers for the expedition had been already 

 selected Commander "Winfield S. Schley, of 

 the navy, being chosen for the chief command, 

 and ordered to take charge of the preparations. 

 The three vessels were brought to the navy- 

 yard at Brooklyn, and there fitted and supplied 

 for the special service, the Loch Garry being 

 also chartered to accompany the expedition, 



