GRBELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 63 



ant Greely and the few survivors of his deadly peril. Care for them unremittingly 

 and bid them be cheerful and hopeful on account of what life yet has in store for 

 them. Preserve tenderly the remains of the heroic dead; prepare them according 

 to your judgment and bring them home. 



W. E. CHANDLER, 



Secretary of the Navy, 



Navy Department, 

 Washington, D. C, July 17, 1884. 

 Commander Schley, Steamer Thetis : 



Use yom- discretion about care and transportation of bodies. Eeport by wire 

 when ready to sail for New York. Department sends most hearty congratulations 

 to yourself, officers, and men. 



E. T. NICHOLS, 

 Acting Secretary of the Navy. 



These telegrams expressing the Department's approval of our ac- 

 tion, the following general order was read on board each vessel to 

 the officers and crews at muster : 



[General Order.] 



U. S. S. Thetis, 

 St. John's, N. F., July 19, 1884. 

 The object for which this expedition was fitted out having been successfully ac- 

 complished and approved by the honorable Secretary of the Navy, the command- 

 ing officer avails himself of the opportunity to join his thanks, congratulations, and 

 obligations to those of his superiors. 



Greely 's relief was made possible, first, by the promptest activity and unwearied 

 energy of the honorable Secretary of the Navy and honorable Secretary of War; 

 secondly, by the unceasing vigilance and readiness of oflicers and men, their alac- 

 rity in responding to orders, their cheerfulness at all times, day or night, in the 

 performance of the duties which demanded promptness, endurance, and courage. 



My confidence gi-ew daily in noting that the spirit of those who fitted this expe- 

 dition had been caught up by the officers and men, who were to use it to accomphsh 

 its important duty. 

 Commanding officers will please read this at general muster. 



W. S. SCHLEY, 

 Commander, Commanding. 



The Alert arrived at 6 p. m., July 18. The following telegram was 

 received from Rear- Admiral Nichols, Acting Secretary, July 19, re- 

 garding movements of steamer Loch Garry: 



[Telegram.] 



Washington, D. C, Jttij/ 19, 1884. 

 Commander Schley, St. John's, Newfoundland : 

 Owners of Loch Garry are willing she should be deUvered at New York. 

 As soon as you have taken out all coal, you will dispatch her at once to the navy- 

 yard, New York, vidth lumber and house on board. If you deem it advisable, send 

 another officer in her ; time is an important element. 



NICHOLS, Acting Secretary. 



In Obedience to which she was dispatched to New York at 13 m., 

 July 31. Ensign Chambers, who was placed on board her to rep- 



