GKBELT RELIEF EXPEDITION. 75 



The selection of the crews of the three vessels was faultless; I can 

 pay the men who composed them no higher tribute than by bearing 

 testimony to their constant cheerfulness, their instant obedience of 

 orders, their incessant vigilance, and their fearlessness under all cir. 

 cumstances of danger. There were no punishments on board the 

 ships untn our return to civilization, and the few cases then were 

 caused entirely by rum. 



If not a breach of official etiquette I would state that our success 

 in the work which we had the honor to accomplish was made poS' 

 sible, first, by the munificent appropriation of the Congress of the 

 United States; second, by the unceasing energy of yourself and the 

 Secretary of War; your masterly comprehension of the problem to 

 be solved by the expedition; your indefatigable activity in fitting it 

 for its work, and your unflagging interest in preparing everything 

 which concerned its success. This spirit was caught up by the offi- 

 cers and men you honored and was the mainspring of their action 

 when absent. Much of the success of the expedition is due to you, 

 and when I say this I only convey to you the sentiment of all who 

 served with me in the difficult, dangerous, and honorable duty which 

 you intrusted to our charge. 



I inclose herewith a series of photographs to illustrate the condi- 

 tions of ice at various points of the passage in Melville Bay. These 

 photographs are numbered, and represent the conditions of ice as 

 met by the expeditionary ships; they will explain much better than 

 a volume of words some of the difficulties which were encountered 

 and some of the reasons why delay was necessary at times; further 

 reference to them in the body .of this report is therefore unnecessary. 



The track chart accompanying contains the route pursued by the 

 ships on the outward and homeward journey; the data on its margin 

 explains itself. 



In conclusion, I beg to thank you for your earnest, prompt, and 

 cordial support in preparing the expeditionary force for its work, 

 and, above all, for the lasting honor conferred upon me and upon the 

 officers and men composing it in connecting our names and our efforts 

 with yours in a relief which had filled the nation, and indeed the 

 civilized world, with the gravest solicitude for a year past. 



I congratulate you on the achievement of this expedition, fitted 

 under your personal observation and care. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



W. S. SCHLEY, 

 Commander, TJ. S. Navy, 

 Commanding Greely Relief Expedition of 1884. 



