U. S. ARCTIC COLONIZATION AND EXPLORATION IN 1881. 229 



Office of Goss, Sawyer & Packard, 

 Ship Builders, 

 Bath, Maine, September 30, 1879. 



Captain H. IV. Howgate, U. S. A. , Washington, D. C. : 



Dear Sir, — In reply to your esteemed favor of September loth, would say 

 that it would cost (independent of engines and machinery) to build a similar ves- 

 sel to the steam whaler Mary and Helen, $17,000, complete. 



The engines and boilers would probably cost $8,000. Owing to advance in 

 price of materials and labor, we have had to advance in our prices for building. 

 Yours very truly, 

 (Signed), Goss, Sawyer & Packard, 



P. S. — Your letter did not reach us until last evening. G. S. & P. 



The following brief instructions were given Lieutenant Berry by the Secre- 

 tary of the Navy, under date of May 20, 1881 : 



" You will pursue as nearly as practicable the course recommended by the 

 Board of which Rear Admiral John Rodgers was President, for the search you 

 are about to undertake. You will report to the Department your progress and 

 the condition of your vessel and command, by every available channel of com- 

 munication during your voyage, making your reports as full and detailed as prac- 

 ticable. In the pursuit of your adventurous and arduous voyage, you carry with 

 you the sympathy and entire confidence of the Department. Nothing that can 

 be done to contribute to your well-being and success shall be omitted. As soon 

 as you are ready you will sail. The eyes of your fellow-countrymen, and of the 

 scientific men of all the world, and especially of those interested in Arctic explor- 

 ations, will follow you anxiously in your way through the unknown seas to which 

 you go. May Heaven guard and bless you, and your officers and men, and 

 crown your heroism with success and glory. 



Very respectfully W. H. Hunt, 



Secretary of the Navy." 



The Rodgers dropped down to San Francisco from Man Island on June 6th, 

 and on the evening of that date, her officers were given a brilliant reception by 

 the California Academy of Sciences, when papers were read by Mr. Charles 

 Wolcott Brooks and Mr. James Gamble, and remarks made by Lieutenant Berry, 

 Professor Davidson and Captain Howgate. 



The occasion was a pleasant one, and the members present evidenced the 

 deep interest taken on the Pacific coast in the subject of Arctic Exploration. 



The Rodgers was delayed for several days waiting for the arrival of a por- 

 tion of her supplies and a change in her personnel, made necessary by the illness 

 of one of the officers, but finally sailed on June i6th, officered and manned as 

 i<^ Hows : 



Lieutenant Robert M. Berry, U. S. N., Commanding; Howard Scott War- 

 ing, Master, U. S. N., Executive Officer and Navigator; Dr. Meredith Dabney 



