New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-19
PEARY'S EXPEDITIONS.

1nlS Is tnS l"eiIln consecutive year. anu N4iO
thirteenth in all. some portion of which Robert f.
Peary has spent in the arctic regions He went to
Greenland in 1856 and partially crossed that con-
tinent at that time. When ne went again in 1881.
he wintered on the west coast, and in the spring
went dagonally over the ice cap to point on the
northeast coast of Greenland never before visited
A he yet the spot July 4. 1892, he named
the great indentation OF the continent which he
found there Independence Bay" Prior to this
he made special study Of the traits Of the
Esqumaus around Inglefed Gulf, and established
particularly friendly relations with them
The time he visited the arctic in 1898 II was
to stay years. Mrs. Peary accompanied MN on
this occasion. although she returned to the United
States the following summer 1t was only few
weeks after her arrival at the site chosen Tor the
winter camp that first year that Mrs. Pearys only
child was born. Peary made trips to the north"ard
from Anniversary Lodge Il Whale Sound, IN the
spring of both 1894 and 1893 Furious storms
and inadequate supplies thwarted his effort on the
first occasion on the second with two COM
panons, he tramped up 10 Independence Bay on
the north shore of Greenland, and came PACK WIN
only one dog and food. The explorer felt that
he had been batfled only by insufficient financial
hacking.
In 1895 and again in 1897 Peary went north and
returned the same season. On the former occasion
he brought down some small masses OF IRON, De
lieyed to be of meteoric origin, ana IN 1891 ne
brought an immense block Of the same character
said contain nearly one hundred tons OF metal
These neteors had been found down at Cape York
in the spring Of 1895.
Before his next start in 1898 Peary visited Eng
land where he received much attention from geo
graphical and other scientific societies. AT TINS
time he outlined his plans the in public
lectures To that trip is due, perhaps. the gift OF
the ship Windward. then owned by Mr. Harms
worth and recently used by Jackson for an eX-
pedition to Franz Josef Land. Jacksons own eX-
Tloratons very fruitful, but they served
TWO excellent purposes. The existence Of his winter
camp gave Nansen refuge after the latter. with
one companion, worked his way southwark after
his record beating achievement Of 1895 (reaching
latitude S614 the ice>. and it influenced the fate
Of the returning Windward
Peary also received handsome hacking from his
fellow countrymen. a club organized. OF
which Morris X. Jesup president, and which
was composed OF twenty-five members, each OF
whom contribute $1,000 year for four
years promote Peary's plans Mr.. Jesup and
James J. Hill only doubled their subscrip-
lions, but extended them for the fifth 'preseno
year.
Somewhat to his dismay on his return from a
flying trip to Cape York in 1897. Peary learned that
Sverdrup. navigator of Nansens ship, meditated
expedition up the west coast of Greenland IN
1898. Inasmuch Peary's own plans had been
given to the world many months before, he felt
that this project particularly ungracious one
The American explorer had exclusive right TO
the But he had created various new and
special facilities notably the deposit Of stores.
which were peculiarly his He had also Guilt
waited close relations with the Esquimaus by long
residence among them and courteous treatment
He had trained some Of them for his service, and
bargained with them for dogs He feared that
some Of these advantages might be utilized I'M
tremendously by the Norwegian AS it proved,
Sverdrup did go north in 1898. only few days be
hind PeaTy, and he obliged 10 winter near
Cape Sabine. He well provisoned. but what
he has accomplished in all this time one knows
He has yet returned Europe.
When Peary went North the last time. four
years ago last July, he hoped TO be able 10 push
the Windward up the west coast Of Greenland !
through Smith Sound and Robson Channel. and
establish winter camp Sherard Osborn Fjord, |
the eighty-second parallel of latitude. His in
tention was. when early spring came, to start
the ice pack north OF the continent with
dogs and sedges But the ice prevented the Wind |
ward going than fifty miles above Cape
Saline, and the latter stayed there from August !
IS 1885, August .. 1899. All during the autumn
winter and spring sledge parties went out in vart
Gus olrecuons- Much geographlcaI uata, Ior tile
perfection OF maps, was thus secured and great
deal OF game shot
The most important of all these ventures was
g0r on Lady Franklin Bay This is on the vest
peatedly since that time December 1899, it had
It in 1883. While on the way Peary was overtaken |
by severe storm and one Of his feet was frost
vas ss' necessary to nave several toes
to reach the pole and none was made The Peary
Club sent the Diana up in 1899 with food ana !
preceded by the Windward. Etah. on the |
Greenland side OF the channel, and not far from
I.ittletou Island, the site of Peary's winter
camp IN 1Sg9-lSe0 From this point he made sledge /
ing with the intention Of exploring Ellesmere
Land. Peary treated him very gracionsiy ana ana
offered him practical encouragement In March !
Pearv quartered himself up Fort Conger, haV- /
food various points along MS line. OF fettedC
This post he found almost as conyenient pase !
establish at Sherard Osborn Ford It was within |
a few miles Of being as far north, ~
negro servant Henson, and five Esquimaus on April
II 1900 foeary crossed Robson Channel on the ice
his Esquinaus with their sleds fast as the pro
visions loaded upon the latter were exhausted' SO
that early in May he had With 1o nun OILY er+ one
the north coast Peary reached the catrn left by !
Lockwood in 1SS2-then the furthest north reached
most point of Greenland, in latitude $3.50 few |
DAYS later This. by the way Is the n3rthernmost
land YET trod by human feet Peary here pushed |
out u1on the ice in the hope OF reaching the Pole
Eleven miles further north. in latitude $50 ne
found so wide streak @. tt for Ieno TrTnfnf.
ba ok to the land he followed the coast on east.
ward. 1eo miles beyofd dsnendence Bay Visited
by him seven eight years BEFORE me survey %
the north coast was thus renqeTen ragsr tSis
seTyice as Exceptionally valuable Fort Conger
reached in safety on Ju! the ~ exnIorer 'e
To Omen mp Communication with Peary in 1900
the Windward dispatched I9TIIl al =.
beaS the vessel return before cold weather but
rTe season was not favorable. On the way up inc |
windward stopped first at P Parv had already ar
lived The ship remained there Or rather IN
Payer Harbor. close by-from august To- uhI4i
SATISFIED by the experience Of previous year that
the ice pack north Of GTeenana was 81 io SUI Ge
cide9 Tbat his attempt in the spring of 1901 should
Grant f. Ln odd on make aRs TeT coeger
his preliminary base again and seek TO ieaVe the