The Portland daily press., 1893-09-06
The Peary Party Is Safe and Sound
Despite the Croakers
AND THE GOOD SHIP FALCON is
AT ANCHOR AT ST. JOHNS.

Iear-ihere VIII Then Be New
Member in the Party.
st. Johns, N. F., September 5.-The
steamer Falcon returned to this port this
afternoon from Bowdoin Bay, West
Greenland, having successfully accom-
plished the landing of the Peary expedi-
ton at that place. The Falcon left here
July 10Th, bound for Labrador, to pur-
chase the dogs necessary for the success
of the expedition. She arrived at Battle
Harbor on the 17th, and cruised along
the Labrador coast, calling at Turnagik.
Hopedal, Okek and Cape Mugford. She
met with but indifferent success in the
purchase of dogs, and after getting only
20 left Labrador. On the 22d she reached
the Greenland coast. On the 9th four
of the donkeys belonging to the expedi-
ton perished of exposure. The Falcon
sailed along the Greenland coast, calling
at Holsteinberg, Disco, Upper Navik,
Cape York, Holsteinhohe, and Dalrym-
pie, getting the balance of the dogs
needed, a greater number being necessa-
ry because of the loss of the donkeys.
Altogether the party got 81 dogs. At
Cape York, Lieutenant Peary got five
native Esquimaux to assist in caring for
the dogs and to do general work.
The Falcon arrived at her destination
on August 8. The voyage was fairly
pleasant, as little ice and no bergs were
encountered The Falcon made the pas
sage across Melville bay in "a hours and
so minutes. This is the quickest trip ever
made across the bay. by II hours On
reaching her destination, the Falcon
cast anchor in harbor selected and
christened by Lieutenant Peary as Fal-
con harbor, 80 miles north of his former
headquarters. The party Immediately
began landing the stores and the house.
The house was Immediately set up, after
which the stores were packed in and
about it. On August II, the ship started
north on a walrus hunt, Messrs. Peary,
Entriken and Vincent accompanying her
to get enough walrus to supply the dogs
with winter food. They spent four days
on the ship aud got beyond Littleton
island, so miles north, and then went
within Is miles of Cape Sabine when an
ice pack was met which was impenetrable
and the ship was forced to return.
Thirty-one walrus were killed, their
edible meat weighing "a TONS The party
reached their headquarters on the 18th
and landed the meat and a few stores
that were not taken out of the ship be-
fore. The Falcon started on her return
here on the Goth. Then the house was
nearly completed and the party was
living in it. There were several men
headquarters to an interior ice camp
where they were cached in readiness for
the great inland expedition next spring.
The work was very difficult and only one
trip could be made day even with the
burros and dogs. The remainder of the
party were engaged in completing the
house and arranging the stores. 1t was
found that the house used by the last
expedition had been torn down and used
for various purposes by the natives. The
whole colony of natives living on lngle-
field gulf have moved near Lieutenant
Peary to remain with him during his
stay. Lieut.. Peary proposes to occupy
the time until winter in exploring the
adjacent country and Immediately upon
the opening of spring will start on his
great overland journey across Greenland
to the northern point reached BY him last
year on Independence bay. Thence he
will proceed as far north as it is possible
to get, even to the pole itself, though this
part of the plan is likely to be aban-
doned, as he has decided to return next
summer and not remain until 1895, as
was his original intention. 1t has been
definitely settled that the Falcon will re-
turn for him next year.
Exhaustive enquiries concerning
Berhoeff, who was supposed to have
been killed last year by falling into
cravasse, were made by the party, but
nothing could be learned of him and now
no doubt remains as to his fate. Search
was also made for two Norwegian
scientists, Kelstermuns and Djording,
who left here early last year in the
schooner Ripple to explore. Smiths
sound. Nothing was known of them at
any of the points touched, SO it is prob
able that they and the crew of four men
were all drowned. The Falcon made a
good passage and arrived here without
injury. The northward passage was un-
accompanied by any special incident.
The party were well and in good spirits
when she left Falcon harbor.
One incident of this expedition will be
the birth of child, late in September,
when Mrs. Peary is expected to become
mother. The infant will be the first
white child born in this latitude In
fact it will be born farther north than
the habitation of any human being of
the present day. Lieut.. Peary sent a
letter highly commencing the manage
ment of the steamer by Captain BARTLETT