[176] Based on the suggestions in the report, Congress appropriated funds, signed into law by Arthur, for the construction of three steel protected cruisers (Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago) and an armed dispatch-steamer (Dolphin), collectively known as the ABCD Ships or the Squadron of Evolution.[177][p] The contracts to build the ABCD ships were all awarded to the low bidder, John Roach & Sons of Chester, Pennsylvania,[179] even though Roach once employed Secretary Chandler as a lobbyist.[179] Democrats turned against the "New Navy" projects and, when they won control of the 48th Congress, refused to appropriate funds for seven more steel warships.[179] Even without the additional ships, the state of the Navy improved when, after several construction delays, the last of the new ships entered service in 1889.[180] Chandler scrapped costly outdated vessels, exclaiming he did his "best work in destroying the old navy."[175]

Greely polar expedition rescue (1884)[edit]
Further information: Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
Six Greely polar expedition survivors. The honor of the U.S. Navy saved.
By 1883, the ill-fated crew of the U.S. Army 1881 Greely scientific polar expedition was stranded at Fort Conger on Lady Franklin Bay. 