Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-09
OFF FOR THE FROZEN NORTH.
The Steamer Windward Going After Explorer
Peay.

st. Johns, n. F., June 9-The Peary
Arctic steamer ''Windward" is ready
to come out of dry dock, having fully
completed the extensive repairs which
have been in progress for several
months and will shortly leave for sgd
ney, c. b., in command of Capt
Samuel w. Bartlett, to take on coal
and supplies for her voyage to the
| North. While the new engines de
sired have not been obtained, in con-
sequence Of the utter inability Of man
ufacturers both in Great Britain and
in America to take up the contract. IL
new shaft and propeller have been sup
piled. the old engines thoroughly over
| hauled and put in the best possible
| order, so that at least q knot and one
half an hour in speed has been gained,
bringing the "Windward" up to the
Kite of the 1891, 1892 and 1895 eXpcdi-
tons. In addition, the hull has been
| thoroughly rebuilt. strengthened both
within and without. and the Wind
ward, as a whole, is in far better con-
dition than she has been for years, new
boilers having been installed by Mr..
Harmsworth shortly before he turned
her over to Mr. Peary in 1893.
The Windward will, this year sail
as an American ship, 50 far as her
nationality is concerned. The neces-
sary legislation by Congress having
been approved by President Mckinley.
though not having entered an Ameri-
can port, the formal register has not
yet been issued Capt. Bartlett has,
however, a copy of the act. certified by
the Of he
which the United States consuls and
foreign authorities of any port will
permit the Windward to fly the stars
ana Stripes. The rebuilt Windward
will be, therefore. the first Arctic ex-
petition steamer to carry the Stars and
Stripes ut the peak since the Inflated
Polaris left the brooklyn Navy Yard
in July 1871. under command Of Capt.
Charles f. Han, and who died On
board few months later.
The expedition will sail from sydney.
about July LIST, and proceed directly.
with a call at Disco. to Etar, North
Greenland, Mr.. Peary's winter quar-
ters where instructions from him viii
doubtless be found, or if not. will be
awaited. The WndWaTd will take
with her the maximum quantity of
coal which she can carry; additional
lumber. oil. sugar. arms. ammunitiOns.
provisions. scientific instruments. and
everything which is necessary for MI.
Peary's work. The Windward also
takes two new Whaleboats. built at
New Bedford. for the Peary service,
thoroughly equipped in every detail
1t is, however, quite possible. mat
Mr.. Peary may have attained the Pole.
this spring. in which case he viii. Of
course, return with the ship: if not,
the additional equipment, with what
remains of the 40 tons Of supplies left
al Etah by the Diana. last year. will
be ample for the remainder Of the time
which he will devote to his work. Up
on the arrival Of the WindWdrd at
Etah, Mr.. Peary will assume command,
and her further movements will he
subject to the conditions Of his work
and to his instructions. No passengers
will be taken on the WindWard. the
Danish government having qualified
their permission to land at the Green
land ports. with the conditions that
tourists should not b. carried. Mrs
Peary ana Miss Pcary. however. will
go North on the steamer as far as
Etah. and it is probable that the Wind
ward. if she returns. will bring home
the Robert Stein party. landed near
Cape Sabine by the Diana in August
last,