GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 59 



The Thetis and Bear continued on to Upernavik and arrived there 

 ahont 10 a. m., July 3, anchoring in the outer harbor. The Bear, 

 needing most coal, took on board the 60 tons landed from the Loch 

 Garry. During my stay a strong gale sprung up from southwest, 

 driving both ships from their moorings; much anxiety and troiible 

 was occasioned to secure them in the deep water and bad anchorage 

 of the outer port. The Danish harbor being filled with icebergs was 

 inaccessible. During the gale the Thetis was secured to a grounded 

 iceberg, which later in the day capsized. In bringing her up she lost 

 an anchor and thirty fathoms of chain in water too deep to allow 

 sweeping for it. The Bear was driven from her moorings and was 

 exposed to imminent peril. She was extricated by great skill and good 

 seamanship of her commanding officer. 



At the request of Governor Elberg, of Upernavik, Hans Hansen, 

 dog driver of the Bear, was paid off, discharged, and landed at that 

 place. Most of the dogs of the Thetis were landed at Upernavik, as 

 they could not live in the warmer climate of the United States. 



The Bear having finished coaling by 6 p. m. , of July .3, both ships 

 got under way for Disco. Standing out the harbor the ships were 

 saluted by Governor Elberg. Having no guns on board we returned 

 it by dipping colors and sounding whistles. 



Following a route indicated by the governor to be clear of dangers 

 the Thetis toiiched a rock ; her speed was so slow at the time that 

 she sustained no injurv. 



Clearing this harbor, course was shaped for Disco, in a wide lead of 

 water extending well ofE-shore, From Svarten Huk south occasional 

 floe ice was met, with numerous imbedded icebergs ; their number 

 had not diminished since our passage north, but they were easily 

 avoided in the clear weather we had going south. 



The ships passed from dangerous ice regions on July 2. From the 

 time of entering (May 19) until we left the ice there was not a 

 moment when the ships were out of danger. The most unceasing 

 vigilance was necessary to avoid damage, or to take advantage of 

 opening leads to advance. 



Much of my time, as well as that of the energetic commanders of 

 the other ships, was spent in the "crows' nests;" in many instances 

 we passed sixteen to twenty hours in them on the lookout, or in navi- 

 gating leads. The anxiety and great responsibility of this period 

 cannot be understood properly without experience in these danger- 

 ous regions. The labor and anxiety would almost break one down, 

 but it was never forgotten that Greely and his- party were in peril. 

 The confidence of our countrymen, the remembrance of their God- 

 speed, and the interest you took in the expedition encouraged us 

 when difficulties increased. The struggle with ice from 3 to 7 feet 

 thick was constant and furious for 1,300 miles to reach and rescue 



