U. S. ARCTIC COLONIZATION AND EXPLORATION IN 1881. 215 



Her Majesty's Ship Enterprise, in 185 1 found the mean set of current for 

 seven days near Point Barrow was nine-tenths of a mile per hour and almost in- 

 variably to the east- northeast. 



Dr. Simpson remarks: "Again in the latitude of Icy Cape the earth's ro- 

 tation gives them an easterly set, forming an almost constant current along the 

 north coast of America to Point Barrow, whence it pursues a direction to the 

 northeast." 



Sir R. McClure says : " The current along the coasts of the Polar Sea ap- 

 pear to be influenced in their direction more or less by the winds, but certainly 

 on the west side of Baring's Island there is a permanent set to the eastward, at 

 one time as much as two knots during a perfect calm." 



The drift of a vessel beset by ice depends largely on the prevaihng winds. 

 As stated in my testimony before the Jeannette Relief Board, the prevailing 

 winds to the northward of Behring Strait were westerly the winter previous to 

 the Jeannette's entry into the Arctic Sea, which is the general direction. The 

 winds, as observed at Floeberg Beach, 82° 27' north, 61° 22' west, the winter 

 of 1875-6, were sixty-four per cent westerly, as were sixty per cent of the winds 

 experienced by Lieutenant Aldrich in his journey of 125 miles to the westward 

 of Floeberg Beach. These facts suggest the possibility of such a contingency as 

 that referred to by Captain DeLong, that he might force his way or drift to Robe- 

 son's Channel. 



The object of this communication is to ascertain whether you deem it of suf- 

 ficient importance that I should send from the international polar station at Lady 

 Frankhn Bay, a sledge party at the earliest moment practicable to Cape Joseph 

 Henry, in order to see if any vessel is in sight therefrom. Near Cape Joseph 

 Henry a mountain, some 2,300 feet high, affords a wide view. The chances of 

 any discovery are, of course, very remote, but it might be well to spare no pains 

 even for this faint hope. I may add that the distance is but about ninety miles 

 from Lady Franklin Bay and that the trip can be readily made. I shall be 

 pleased to carry out any suggestions or instructions in this respect which may 

 seem advisable to the honorable Secretary of the Navy. 

 Very respectfully your obedient servant, 



A. W. Greely, 

 First Lieut, sth U. S. Cavalry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army. 



REPLY OF SECRETARY HUNT. 



Navy Department, Washington, April 9, 1881. 

 Hon. Robert T. Lincoln, Secretary of War : 



Sir, — I have honor to acknowledge the receipt through you of a communi- 

 cation addressed to me on the 4th inst. , by Lieutenant A. W. Greely, who has 

 been assigned to the command of the expeditionary force to be sent to Lady 

 Franklin Bay under the direction of the War Department, in which he proposes, 

 if this Department considers it of sufficient importance, to send from the interna- 



