74 GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. 



of the chief engineers. In all the harassing demands upon the en- 

 gine and the engineer's force of the ships no mistakes were made. 



For the perfection in their motive power, upon which so much of 

 the success of these Arctic ships depended, I am indebted to the 

 great skill and untiring exertions of their engineer officers; they were 

 always vigilant, always ready for any emergency, and always unceas- 

 ing in their efforts to maintain the motive power in the highest con- 

 dition of efficiency. Chief Engineer Lowe slung his cot in the engine 

 room while in the ice in order to be near his work in an emergency. 

 Chief Engineer Melville's bunk was so chosen by him to be as near 

 the engine room as possible without being actually in it. The great 

 experience of the latter officer in Arctic matters had determined me 

 to choose him for a sledge journey onward to Lady Franklin Bay if 

 such had been necessary. During the cruise northward I availed 

 myself of his experience in many matters of detail, in fitting sleds, 

 clothing, and provisions for journeys; he is too well known to you 

 to need other commendation from me than for his entire and hearty 

 support in carrying out the purposes of the expedition. 



Passed Assistant Surgeon E. H. Green, of the Thetis, Passed As- 

 sistant Surgeon H. E. Ames, of the Bear, and Passed Assistant Sur- 

 geon F. S. Nash, of the Alert, rendered me the most valuable assist- 

 ance in their constant care of the sanitary conditions of the shi|ps; 

 their watchful attention of the officers and men to guard them against 

 sickness, or to relieve them when injured, were praiseworthy. Our 

 only accidents occurred at the wheel; they were caused by large 

 pieces of ice rising under the stern and striking the rudder after the 

 vessels had forced their way over them in ramming through the floes. 



Drs, Green and Ames had entire charge of the survivors from the 

 time when discovered until our return home. They were unremitting 

 in their care and attention to them. That any of the rescued are 

 now alive, after their unusual exposure and critical condition when 

 found, is due to their skill. 



Not only were they conspicuous in their professional duties but in 

 all matters connected with the expedition; on board ship or on the 

 ice, they were always assisting. 



Ice Mastea-s Francis Ash, J. W. Norman, and David L. Gifford 

 gave me much assistance in discharging their duties; the two former 

 came more immediately under my observation. 



Mr. Ash is a man of high character and merit. He is a thorough 

 sailor, a man of worth, and an officer whose experience and judg- 

 ment were of much value to the expedition. 



I regret that differences involving the discipline of the ships re- 

 quired the discharge of Mr. Gifford and Mr. Norman immediately 

 after the return of the expedition to the United States; this in noway 

 affected the value of their services in the ice region or the heartiness 

 with which they assisted their commanding officers while there. 



