New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-15
PEARYSS BUILDER LOSES.
IN Constructing the Roosevelt He
Exceeded Contract Price.

Bucksport, Me- July 10 (SpeciaD. -Drexel &
Co, Of Philadelphia. hold a mortgage on the
Verona Island shipyard 10 secure a loan made
10 Captain Charles A DIX, who needed the money
to complete the Roosevelt the ship which Com
Ynsnder Peary expects to force within 400 miles
Of the North Pole. Financial embarrassments
were brought upon the management Of the yard
because the contractor made changes in the
original contract. at the desire OF Commander
Peazy without written orders.
gsse Roosevelt was to cost about $4,000, eX-
elusive Of number OF minor contracts. Through
the changes made in the work at Peary's sug-
gestion, Captain Dix exhausted his funds and
was unable to complete the vessel The Peary
Arctic Club paid him $4,000 for the work and
took the vessel. The cost of completing ii, ex-
elusive OF the minor contracts. was considerably
more than $1,000.
Captain Dix said yesterday that he had not
asked Psary for written orders when he desired
changes made, because he did not wish to be
mean. The work on the ship had cost him
about $4,000. and he had figured that 500
would complete her. He added that the
Pesry Arctic Club would settle with him soon
Tor the extra work he did on the vessel
Lewis L Delaheld. who represents the Peary
Arctic Club, said last night regarding the fore
going dispatch:
So far as it intinates that the Peary Arctic Club
has not met its full obligations, 1 might waive
the assertion aside because man in his
senses would believe anything Of the sort of
Commander Peary, or Of an organization con-
trolled by Morris X. Jesup. Henry Parish, Anton
A Rover and their associates. The truth is
that every just claim against the Peary Arctic
Club for which bill has been presented has
been paid, and what still remains due will be
met upon the presentation Of proper bills Cap
tain Dix, who built the hull of the vessel has
had some financial difficulties With these the
PeRry Arctic Club has had nothing TO do, except
that il was more or less embarrassed because
certain Of his creditors attached the vessel
These attachments were disposed Of. Whatever
certainly excellent shipbuiider, and greatly
hope that he win extricate himself from his
difficulties. Since The Tribune reporter showed
me the foregoing dispatch, Captain Dix has
called me up on the telephone 70 repudiate all
responsibility for it.
The United States Treasury Department has
ievied a fine Of $500 on the Roosevelt for leav-
ing the harbor OF Portland, Ne, without proper
clearance papers. The vessel came here ac-
cording 10 Mr.. Delaheld. with the written per-
mission Of the Collector of the Port at Port
Hand IN order that additional work might be
done upon her. It is understood that Collector
6tranahan. Of this port, is TO ask for the remis-
sion OF the fine. Mr.. Delaheld yesterday sent
the following telegram TO Secretary Shaw:
I respectfully protest in behalf of Norris K.
Jesup, Henry Parish and the other members Of
tie Peary Arctic Club against fine OF $500 i'm
posed against Arctic vessel Roosevelt because Of
alleged unlawful sailing from Portland, and re-
quest remission OF such fine. Upon our request
for permission, your department telegraphed
such collector gave his written consent and
clearance.