GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 17 



which the advance ships' companies could retreat in the event of disaster, and after- 

 ward to send a sled party onward to examine the coast on the eastern side of Smith's 

 Sound as far as Humboldt Glacier. 



This duty completed by September 1, and the Thetis and Bear not having re- 

 turned to Littleton Island or Foulke Fiord, the. Alert should return to St. John's 

 with news of the expedition. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 



W. S. SCHLEY, Commander, U. S.N., 

 Commanding Greely Relief Expedition. 

 Hon. W. E. Chandler, 



Secretary of the Navy. 



In the preparation of quarters for men and officers it was borne in 

 mind that increased air space was absolutely required to maintain 

 proper sanitary conditions. 



The saloons of the Thetis and the Bear were therefore entirely re- 

 modeled; all original bulkheads were removed, except one to separate 

 the commanding officer's room from the main saloon. 



Bunks were built along the sides of the saloon fitted with drawers 

 to accommodate the clothing of officers; and to afford the necessary 

 privacy in sleeping,. dressing, or undressing, curtains were arranged 

 upon movable rods working through the top of the berth framing. 

 These rods could be rigged in during the day to increase the space 

 in the saloon, and out at night, or while officers were arranging 

 their toilets or preparing for sleep. 



In the men's quarters twenty-eight bunks were built in pairs, one 

 over the other, with drawers under the lower bunk for clothing. 

 These quarters were separated from the ships' sides by an alley way 

 to afford free passage to the forward part of top-gallant forecastle, 

 to work chains and windlass or to reach the forward store-rooms. 



To exclude cold and frost from all the quarters, the sides and top 

 between the ceilings were lined with felt. The advantage of this 

 arrangement was apparent after we had reached the region where 

 hard service and unusual exposure were necessary. The suggestion 

 was Chief Constructor Wilson's. 



Dispensaries of the Thetis and Bear were constructed, under the 

 supervision of their medical officers, in the run abaft the saloon, and, 

 though compact, were well adapted to the service of the vessels. 



It was intended to use the boats of the expedition when the ships 

 had reached the highest attainable limit, and to this end it was im- 

 portant that they should serve three purposes : first, as boats in cross- 

 ing water spaces; second, as sleds in crossing floes, and third, as 

 quarters when hauled out in stormy weather or for rest. 



Their construction as whale boats accomplished the first condition ; 

 their bilge runners, after Parry's method, secured the second, and 

 being fitted with covers, weather cloths, and tent stanchions the 

 third condition was obtained. 



The sleds of the expedition were made after the design of Chief 

 H. Mis. 157 2 



