16 GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 



Wales, to Littleton Island, the Government assuming all respon- 

 sibility for the vessel after leaving St. John's until her return to New 

 York. This was only done after the most diligent inquiry to find 

 in the United States a suitable vessel for this service. 



This preparation and the work of refitting was submitted to the 

 several Chiefs of Bureaus of the Navy Department, and to their sub- 

 ordinate officers at the New York navy-yard. I am earnest in say- 

 ing that my thanks are due to them all for their efficient and zealous 

 co-operation with me in preparing the ships to sail on the days ap- 

 pointed, as shown in your communication of March 10, and mine in 

 reply of March 17, as follows: 



Navy Department, 

 Washington, March 10, 1884. 

 Sie: It having been settled that the vessels of the relief expedition will be the 

 Thetis, Bear, and Alert, you will please subniit a plan proposing dates for their de- 

 parture from the United States, and from St. John's. 



It is desirable that one of the relief ships should arrive at Upernavik as early as 

 any vessel can safely reach that point. 



Very respectfully. 



W. E. CHANDLER, 



Secretary of the Navy. 

 Commander W. S. Schley, U. S. N., 



Navy Department. 



Washington, D. C, March 17, 1884. 



Sir: In reply to your letter of March 10, informing me it had been definitely set- 

 tled that the Thetis, Bear, and Alert were . o be the vessels of the expedition to re- 

 Heve lieutenant Greely and party at Lady Franklin Bay, I would respectfully 

 suggest that the Bear, being the vessel most advanced in the strengthening needed 

 for this service, should be dispatched from New York on the 25th of April to St. 

 John's, Newfoundland, to fill up with coal, to take dogs on board, and to inquire 

 into the condition of the ice in Davis Strait; and at the earliest practicable moment 

 to proceed to the Danish settlements of Disco and Upernavik, reaching there about 

 the third week in May, if practicable. 



The Thetis should follow the Bear, leaving New York not later than May 1, stop- 

 ping at St. John's for coal, to take dogs on board, and to convoy the coal steamer 

 to Upernavik, where she ought to arrive about May 25. 



From Upernavik the Thetis and Bear should proceed onward with convoy to 

 Cape York and Littleton Island. Should the ice appear too formidable for the col- 

 lier to encounter so early as June, she should remain at Upernavik until the arrival 

 of the Alert, which vessel would be then charged with the convoy. 



The importance of convoy beyond Upernavik can hardly be overestimated in 

 view of the circumstances that the Government may be obliged to assume all re- 

 sponsibility for the coal vessel and cargo. 



The Alert should be dispatched from New York not later than May 10 to St 

 John's, to fill up with coal, and then to proceed onward to Disco and Upernavik 

 whsre she should arrive not later than June 1. 



Her movements should be so timed that she might reach Littleton Island or 

 Foulke Fiord about the 1st of July, in order to have sufficient time to land and 

 build house, land provisions, coal, and other supplies, to establish the station upon 



