GREELY'S EXPEDITION (1881) 171 



Lieutenant Greely was also instructed that it was con- 

 templated that the station would be visited in 1882 and 

 in 1883 by a steamer, sailing, or other vessel, by which 

 supplies as would be deemed needful would be sent. In 

 case the vessel was unable to reach the station in 1882, 

 she was to cache a portion of her supplies at the most 

 northerly point attained on the east coast of Grinnell 

 Land. In case no vessel reached the station in 1882, 

 the vessel sent in 1883 was to remain in Smith Sound 

 until there was danger of its closing by ice, and, on 

 leaving, was to land all her supplies and a party at 

 Littleton Island. This party was to be prepared for a 

 winter's stay, and was to be instructed to send sledge- 

 parties up the east side of Grinnell Land to meet Greely "s 

 party. 



If not visited in 1882, Lieutenant Greely was to 

 abandon his station not later than 1st September 1883, 

 and to retreat southward by boat, following closely the 

 east coast of Grinnell Land until the relieving vessel was 

 met or Littleton Island reached. 



The arrangements promised in these instructions to 

 Greely are of great importance in the light of subsequent 

 events. 



The steamer Proteus was selected to convey the party 

 to Lady Franklin Bay. She was a barkentine-rigged 

 steamer of oak with two compound engines, 110 horse- 

 power, 467 tons register, had an iron-armed prow, and 

 was sheathed with iron-wood from above the water-line 

 to below the turn of the bilge. Her screw was self- 

 lifting, she had spare rudder and propeller, and was in 

 every respect suitable for ice-navigation. The charter 

 of this vessel consumed over f of the appropriation, 

 leaving less than 6000 dollars for the special outfit of the 

 party. 



The master of the Proteus, Richard Pike, had for many 



