Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1883 — CRUSHED BY ICE. [ARTICLE]

CRUSHED BY ICE.

Another Arctic Expedition Come to Grief. The Steamer Proteus, Carrying the Greely Explorers," Wrecked. IWashingtox Dispatch,] The Acting Secretary of the Navy received the following dispatch from the commander of the Yantic, giving particulars of the disaster to the Proteus, and the rescue'of her crew by the Yantic: Sr. John, N. F„ Sept. 13. W. E. Chandler, Secretary of the Navy: The United States steamer Yantic has arrived here, bringing Capt. Fike and the crew or the Proteus, Lieut. Garlington and the Greely relief party, all well. The Pgoteus was crushed in the ice six miles north of Cape Sasine, on July .23. The crew and the relief party, after depositing the records at Litileton island and Pandora Harbor, retreated southward .in six boats to Uppernavik, kutJerin'g-mneh hardship in Melville bay. The Yantic reached Littleton islkjtid on Aug. 3 without much difficulty, found the records, and immediately proceeded”'southwardly, searching the coast and island thoroughly down to Suinnei’fT island. The ice then closed in and we could not get around or through, and were obliged to retreat under the lea of Northumberland island. On the 9tb, a southward gale having loosened the pack, we were able to get through, and continued the search. The’cpast about Cape York is filled with ice packed close, so that We could not get wi-hi:i twenty miles of land. On the 10th, having ice in all directions but southeast, proceeded to Uppernavik, and sent fifteen days ratibns to Lessinsack, and a whaleboat to Cape Shakelton. On the 22d sailed for a coal mine, thence to God Hi ven. On the 31st Lieut. Colwell arrived in a launch, having been thirty-nine days in an »pen boat. He had separated from us undergirders at Cape York. Sailed the same day for Uppernavik, and found the relief party had arrived there. On Sept. 2 proceeded homeward, and had a rough passage. Frank Wilder, Commander. The Proteus was a steam sailer, well adapted for Arctic work. She took Capt. ’Greely and his party to Lady Franklin Bay ovemtwo years ago. The Greely expedition was to be conducted on a plan conce'ived by Capt. Howgate. A depot was established at Lady Franklin bay, and the party were to move northward, establishing smaller depots for service on the return trip. In this way it was thought many of the dangers and hardships of Arctic exploration would be avoided. The party had supplies to last about two years, by which time it was expected Capt. Greely and his men would have returned to ihe starting point to.await a vessel to bring them home. - Nothing has been heard of Greely s party since the Proteus left them. An effort was made to reach them last season by a vessel sent out under the direction of the War Department, but it was unsuccessful , The vessel could not get through the ice, and came back without accomplishing anything. At the last session of Congress an appropriation of $ OJA.O was nrade to send out a search party for Greely. It took shape in the disastrous putting forth of the I’roteua The news of the loss of the vessel n iturally created considerable comment in the Navy and War Departments. Lieut. ciaxe, of the Signal Corps, immediately upon receipt of the information bed an interview with Commoddre English, acting Secretary of the Navy-, and Commodote Walker, chief of the Bureau of Navigation Ihe matter was thoroughly discussed. The feasibility of ordering the Yantic to go to the relict of the Greely was talked over. Various expedients to relieve the people at Lady Frf.nxlin bay were mentioned. An earnest desire to do something was expressed. One conclusion, and that of a disheartening character, was reached that it was too lace in the season to send any vessel Into the Arctic, as it would be impossible for her to get anywhere~ne,ar Greely s party en account of the ice, - • Commodore Walker says: “No vessel in . the navy, no vessel :n tho world could reach Greely before next summer. He and his-party are in a bad fix. Therexnlt of this relief expedition must throw a damper on Aiotic exploration. No one knows wnether Greely and his men arc alive or dead. Their suppues must be exhausted by this time ” Prompt action is necessary in the cause of humanity, but old naval officers shake their heads ominously when the matter is discussed. Said one officer: “This, in my -opinion, will settle the whole-question of Arctic expeditions. The loss of the netie and the burning of the Rogers, that was- sent to find her, and the loss of the Proteus piles it up too high, even if the fate of previous expeditions was not fresh in the mind of the public. Of course, an effort will be made to relieve Greely and his partv, but that will be the last. Arctic expedition f r many years lor whi h money will come frvm the treasurv of the United States." The Yantic accompanied the Proteus as convov, but was not to go further north than Littleton’s-island, when the latter was to push her way through the ice. When the Navy Dejuirtment ordered the Yantic to that duty there was an outcry in certain quarters’ about the recklessness of sending a ielief party, and then giving the vessel carrying that party a convoy. It has, however, turned out a fortunate jirecaution. if the Yantic had not been near tue Proteus when she was crushed in the ice there certainly would have been some loss of life. Indeed, it is extremely doubtful whether any of the relief party would have escaped.