GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 73 



Commander Coffin speaks in terms of high approbation of Lieut. 

 C. J. Badger, and of Ms competency and capacity as an officer; he 

 praises his method and manner of performing his responsible duties 

 and refers to his coolness and judgment under all circumstances. 



I am glad to indorse all that Commander Coffin says of this highly 

 competent and efficient young officer, and to include him with Sebree 

 and Crosby in special commendation to the consideration of the 

 Department. 



Lieuts. E. H. Taunt and S. C. Lemly, and Ensign C. H. Harlow, 

 of the Thetis; Lieuts. J. C. Colwell, N. R. Usher, and Ensign L. K. 

 Eeynolds, of the Bear, and Lieut. H. J. Hunt and Ensigns H. C. 

 McClain, and A. A. Ackerman, of the Alert, were the watch offi- 

 cers of the respective ships. I mention them collectively, as the De- 

 partment could not have selected more competent men for their duties. 



Their aptitude, experience, and physique made them invaluable for 

 the exposed duties of shipboard life in the Arctic regions, or for 

 detached work there. 



Their assistance to their several commanding officers was most 

 valuable, while their good judgment inspired the greatest confidence. 



In no instance in any of the ships did they make a mistake; the 

 constant and rapid advance was largely due to their watchful atten- 

 tion and judgment of ice movements. 



I hold them to be tried and valuable officers, and in this view com- 

 mend them to the Department. 



Ensign W. I. Chambers was detailed to represent the Government 

 interests on board the Loch Garry. I am glad to say that he was 

 always most interested and efficient; his judgment and ability were 

 most conspicuous, and to him and to his advice the safety of the Loch 

 Garry was mainly due. He enjoyed my highest confidence for his 

 officer-like management of delicate duties, 



Lieut. J. C, Colwell was on detached duty at Cape York; his pre- 

 vious experience in this region gave him the preference when it was 

 necessary to communicate with the natives; his promptness in reach- 

 ing them at Cape York did him much credit and fully justified his 

 selection, for the duty. He was returned to the Bear at Littleton 

 Island June 23. 



Chief Engineers George W. Melville, of the Thetis, John Lowe, of 

 the Bear, and Passed Assistant Engineer W. H. Nauman, of the 

 Alert, were without exception most efficient and capable. Six men 

 only composed the engineer's force of each of the ships, so that when 

 others found opportunity to rest these officers were obliged to be on 

 hand that the engines might be ready at a moment's notice, and this 

 continued from the moment of entering the ice until it was left. 



The engines were always worked from full speed ahead to full 

 speed astern in ramming, and in most cases under the direct control 



