Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-04
FUND FOR PEARY.
Maine People Asked to Give Sums for
His Shin.

Portland. Me. Aug. 3.-Commander
Peaiy, who is now planning his
final attack on the North Pole, and
who declares 1t is only a question
of sufficient time and sufficient means
when he can reach that coveted goal
is in New York after a visit i'm Port
land, arranging for the journey which
he hopes to take this year. He has Sc
cured the time, through the navy de-
partrlent; now he wants the money
Generous friends in other states have
pledged him Il certain sum if he can
rails" so much more by Aug. 10. He
needs $4,000 more during the next week.
and the papers have no hesitation
i'm urging their readers to see to
it that the State Of Maine gives him this
amount out CT contributions from its
people. The start for the last VOYAGE. If
the plans can be perfected, will be made
from some Maine port, and as the fate
of the project hangs on the raising of
this sum immediately, it is be-
licved that the people of the State
will rise to the occasion and fur
1iISu the Key anu SSet tHe crcOlt. Inc
smallest sums will be Appreciated
anything to show the temper of the
people of the State.
The crucial part of the project is the
traverse Of what may be called the
middle division of the route e.. the
ice-enrumbercd channels between Cape
Sabine and the northern coast of Grant
Land, Il distance of only $50 miles,
which has already been accomplished
by four vessels. one of these, the little
Poaris. made the entire run without
ever seeing ice. North of this is ii sle;igc
journey of less than 500 miles to the
pole. 100 of which 1 have already tr;iv-
"rscd. and the total of which is no
greater than the length of four slcdges
journeys already made by me in that
region.
South of this is a stretch of some
5000 miles of navigation between Cape
Sabine and New York, which can be-
accomplished by any suitable ship in
August of any year.
AS the reach of ice naviga ton from Sd
bine to North Grand Land is the crux
Of the project, for it | need the best Arc
hens Fran, or the German Gauss. a
stoutly built tub with no power. nor like
the English Discovery. a fine sailing ship
but also with no power. My ship (and
she is not dream, but carefully worked
out proposition with the drawings COM
pleteD must be of strength to resist and
a shape to life to the pressure of the ice
and with power to smash and wedge and
squeeze her way through the ice-iloes
A massive. powerful steamer. not d sail
ing ship with auxiliary engines.
My ship will be the only expensive tool
require, and she must be the best.
had contemplated sending ship north
this summer. to establish coal depot
and instruct the Eskimos in regard To
assembling dogs. meats, and furs, in read
mess for mo. next summer. but l have
found the expense TOO great. and have
been obliged to abandon the idea
The coal depot, which | shall establish
at Etah, where | had my depot in 49,
will be established by an auxiliary ship
accompanying the main steamer next
summer, and returning early in Scptem-
Der | expec; soon to place the contract
for the hull of my new ship. and the SUI
perviSion of this and the raising OF the
balance of the funds will occupy me fully
for the next 10 months. Then will come
the repeated trials of the ship and en-
right. and the assembling of the supplies
and equipment.
Early in July. 1905, shall steam north
establish my coal depot at Etah and my
sub base of provisions at Cape Sabine
take on board my Eskimos and dogs. and
attack the key of my project. tn" stretch
of ice navigation north of Cape Sabine.
| hope to reach the northern shore OF
there with my ship, and very early IN
February begin the slcdge journey which
God willing. shall attain the pole, and
perhaps life a new land out of the J.0W.op
square miles of utter incoGnita which at
present challenges our manhood in the
polar basin.
And what for. all this effort and cx-
pens"? Because of the acccssions TO SCI
entifc and geographic knowledge; be
cause it IS the privilege and the duty OF
this great country to capture the last
great geographic prize the world has To
offer; this prize which will signify mans
final physical conquest of tn" globe. Ana
il there were no other reason, because
of the added feeling of pride that will be
experienced by every American citizen
if the Stars and Stripes are the first to
reach the pole. Just that increment OF
pride to millions. just that added morale
will 10 times Uutvalue the cost of the cx-
petition.
| doubt if there is one intelligent person
in hundred whom the subject does not
interest. and who does not wish That the
stars ana Strlp'S ma! WILL put ii'''eN'
and good wishes do not fit out ships or
buy provisions.
The indications are that there is no sec
oud Henry Grinncll of New York. or OS-
car of Sweden. to see this project
through The funds for its mat"raliza-
tion must come in small amounts from
those of moderate means throughout the
country. to whom such Il broad national
proposition appeals; from those whose
blood is active and quickcns at big things
which demand the brute physical man
for the doing, and from those who wish
to see another splendid trophy added to
our national record.
Fire broke out on the third floor OF
the lodging house and restaurant
owned and occupied by Simon Baulier