THE GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITIQ]^. 



U. S. S. Thetis, 

 Navy- Yard New York, September 4, 1884. 

 Hon. Wm. E. Chandler, 



Secretary of the Navy. 

 Sir: - 



In obedience to your oi|d^ -of 'February 18, . assigning me to the 

 command of the Greely Relief . Expedition of 1884, as indicated in 

 your communication of that date, following: 



Navy Department, 

 ■__^ Washington, February 18, 1884. 



Sir : Having been selected for the command of the Greely Relief Expedition of 

 1884, you will make immediate and full preparation for the performance of your 

 duties. You wi 1 Investigate the circumstances of Lieutenant Greely's voyage to 

 Lady Franklin Sound, in 1881, and of the attempts to relieve him in 1883 and 1883, 

 incidentally familiarizing yourself vsrith the whole subject of Arctic exploring and 

 relief expeditions. You will examine the Thetis and Bear and all other ships 

 which maybe designedforthe expedition, and co-operate with the Chiefs of Bureaus 

 in strengthening and equipping them ; giving particular attention to all the special 

 articles of outfit necessary in Arctic voyaging, including boats, sledges, dogs, 

 houses, provisions, clothing, navigation instruments, and the whole material of the 

 expedition. 



You will also consider and assist in the selection of the subordinate oflScers and 

 the enlistment of the crew, and on all points above indicated, and concerning any 

 steps which ought to be taken to give success to the expedition you will from time 

 to time make to the Department all suggestions and recommendations which may 

 occur to you as useful or important. 

 Very respectfully, 



W. E. CHANDLER, 



Secretary of the Navy. 

 Commander Winfield S Schley, 



Washington. 



the following letters were addressed to the several Chiefs of Bureaus 

 of the Navy Department, suggesting the complements of officers and 

 men, and articles of outfit necessary for the vessels to compose the 

 expeditionary force : 



Washington, D.C, February 19, 1884. 

 Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the Greely Relief Expedition will be 

 composed of .three vessels, as follows : 

 Thetis, with a crew of 35 people (officers and men). 



o 



