The Greely Expedition
(1883 report)
Great Anxiety for the
Explorers-Their Chances of Obtaining Provisions
[Special Dispatch to The
Evening Post.]
WASHINGTON, September 14,. - The fears of the Signal
Service officers as to the probable fate of Lieutenant Greely and his men
have been increased by the more detailed information which has been received
from St. Johns. The sensational stories of the Esquimaux are not credited.
It is regarded as very unreasonable, for instance, that the men should
have killed their officers, whose skill was much needed to aid them. But
the greatest danger is apprehended from the failure to send them supplies.
The Government does not now see how it will be possible to get any supplies
to them this winter, unless sledges possibly may be able to reach them
from Littleton's Island.
Up to noon to-day no information other than that
published in the morning papers had been received here from the Yantic.
The friends of the explorers anxiously await particulars of the movements
of that vessel. It is known that the provisions and stores on board the
Proteus
are all lost, but if the Yantic succeeded in landing some of her
stores at one of the points described by Lieutenant Greely in his letter
of instructions, there is still a chance that the party may reach the caches
before the Arctic winter sets in, as they were to start on their southward
march unless supplies reached them by the end of September.
Officers of the Signal Service say that it is unnecessary
for friends of the party to become despondent, as something may yet be
accomplished for their relief. "Although there is no available fund upon
which to draw, extraordinary exigencies," said Lieutenant Caziarc, "allow
us to use extraordinary discretion, and there is no reason to believe that
the Greely party will suffer for want of food even though relief fails
to reach them this year; as there are several stations at which provisions
are stored that are known to Lieutenant Greely." Navy officers, however,
do not take so hopeful a view of the situation as the Signal-Service men
profess to do.
source: The Evening Post,
Volume 82,Evening Post Publishing Co.,210 Broadway, corner of Fulton Street,
New York, Friday, September 14, 1883
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