WOBK OF THE OREELY ARCTIC COLON T. 63 



immense barrier of ice from twenty to fifty feet tliick, when 

 within only a few miles of his destination. The paclv finally 

 broke up, allowing the vessel to pass tli rough, and tiiey arrived 

 at Fort Discovery, where Greely had decided to estabhsh tlie 

 station. The work of unloading the stores and building a 

 house began at once. Lieut. Greely named tlie station Foi-t 

 Conger, in honor of Senator Conger of Michigan, who liad 

 been instrumental in securing the passage of the bill which 

 authorized the expedition. 



The jProteus left the party on August 18 and returned in 

 safety to St. Johns, N. F. The comparative ease witli which 

 tlie Froteus made the vojage to and from Fort Conger was 

 unfortunate in one respect : it blinded people as to the real 

 dangers of 1 he route. The impression seemed to prevail, that 

 the difficulties of the way had been exaggerated, and tliat 

 Greely could be reached with case. It was forgotten that 

 only three vessels had ever before been successful in passing- 

 Kane Sea, and they only with the greatest difficulty. 



The party itself seems to havQ, been blinded to the fact, 

 that it miglit be impossible for another vessel to reach them 

 for years. They confidently expected another vessel would be 

 sent to visit them the next summer, and again in 1883, as had 

 been promised. With courageous hearts, and witli no appre- 

 hensions for the future, they settled down to their work. A 

 large house had been built to contain their instruments, sup- 

 plies, etc. They immediately began scientific work. Beside the 

 work required of them by the International Series, they made 

 voluntary observations covering almost every field of natural 

 science. These included the g^dvanic earth currents in con- 

 nection with magnetic and auroral phenomena, atmospheric 

 electricity, the growth and structure of ice, temperature of the 

 soil, snow and ice, hydrographical, spectroscopical and pendu- 

 lum observations, etc. They accuraulatod large collections of 

 Zoological, Geological and Botanical specimens. They also 

 engaged in the more brilliant work of exploration. One of 



