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| RESCUE OF THE GREELY SURVIVORS - Southeast of
the rotunda of the Government Building, and closely adjoining, was
a
panorama, with painted scenery, lay figures and modeled landscape,
illustrating the closing events of the ill-fated Greely expedition to
the Artic regions. At one side of this stirring representation was
the framed painting which is portrayed in the engraving. This shows
the rescue, which is probably the most remarkable episode of its kind
in history. As may be seen, the few survivors are within but a few
hours of death by starvation, after trials and privations which were
carefully suppressed from the public reports. Lieutenant Adolphus W.
Greely, who was in command of the expedition, was born in the whaling
town of Newburyport, Mass., in 1844, and came naturally by his
interest in the Artic seas. He served in the American Civil War for
four years, and became a Captain, afterwards entering the regular
army as a Lieutenant, and becoming an officer of the Signal Service,
which made this exhibit. In 1881 he was placed in command of the
Lady Franklin Bay expedition to Northern Greenland, and when it had
become evident that Greely was in danger, the Government fitted out a
relief expedition with steamers of the navy, and reached the
sufferers in the manner made historical by this painting. Lieutenant
Greely recovered and added much to the literature of the Artic seas. |
