The Washington times., 1902-09-30
.PEARY NOW A COMMANDER
Arctic Explorer Advanced by
Navy Department.
ASSIGNED TO ACTIVE DUTY
Will Soon Arrive With His Wife From
New York and Open
Home.


civil engineer in the navy. who is daily
expected back to Washington from a five
years trip in search of the North Pole.
was yesterday advanced in rank to be a
commander. He was formerly a civil
engineer. with rank Of lieutenant COM
mander. The promotion is the result OF
the natural advance OF officers Of the
navy. caused by vacancies higher up the
scale. The new commission dates from
April 6, 1902.
Commander Peary had been on leave
OF absence for five years. His return Is
expected daily at the Navy Department.
where 1t has been decided to Immediate
ly assign him to active shore duty Just
what the character of this duty will be
has not been decided. and will mot be
until Commander Peary returns and con-
fers with Rear Admiral Endicott. chief
of the Bureau of Steam Engineering.
Commander Peary will enter active
duty" said Admiral Endicott yesterday.
THAT much has been decided. What
sort OF duty 1t Will be cannot tell until
have seen him.
Leave of Absence Extended.
Commander Peary went on leave for
the purpose Of organizing and starting
out upon his Polar expedition five years
ago last spring. His leave terminated
May 27. 1902, but was extended six
months to enable him to enter the Ma
rine Hospital here If he found this nee
essary upon his return. He reached New
York few days ago. was met there by
his wife. and with her went to Port
land Me-, where he has been engaged
in settling his mothers estate. she hay
ing died during her sons absence. Ad-
miral Endicott received letter from
Commander Peary last Thursday. in
which the explorer said he would be in
Washington within a few days.
Commander Peary's home, 2O14 Twelfth
Street northwest. is in readiness for the
return. During Mrs. Peary's absence it
has been kept open. waiting her return
with her husband. Mrs. Peary's family.
which resides in Washington. is in Eu-
rope. and on this account the home
coming of Commander Peary will be
quiet. No official reception will be held,
and so far as known there will be no
special social demonstrations. The
couple will simply return to Washington
and live quietly at home
Said to Have Lost Toes.
1t will probably not be decided for
several days what Commander Peary
will do in the immediate future. 1t is
at the Navy Department that
the explorer suffered the loss Of several
toes while North. and that he may de-
sire to go to the hospital for few
weeks AS his leave does not expire un-
Ill the latter part of November, this
could be arranged without interference
IN any plans for active duty which may
pc decided upon
The demand for civil engineers in the
navy is great at present. They are |
needed to superintend improvements, |
repairs, extensions, etc, at the various |
Government navy yards and coaling |
stations. 1t is probable that Commander
peary will be detailed to work of this
either at home or abroad.
Mr.. Peary now stands fourth from the
head of the list of civil engineers. While
having the rank of commander, his title
still remains that of civil engineer. only
1fficers of the line having the purely
military designations.