New-York tribune., 1906-11-24
PEARY AT SYDNEY, C. B.
SHIP NEEDS REPAIRS.
Explorer Disappointed but Hope
ful-.Storm and Stress IN Far North.

Sydney, C. B.. Nov 23.-FIying the flag of the
United States. which had been placed nearer
the Pole than any other national standard
weatherbeaten and torn and disabled, the
Peary Arctic steamer Roosevelt arrived here
to-day, under sail and steam, after sixteen
months Of vain effort TO reach the Pole. Though
not entirely successful in its quest, the expedi-
ton reached 81 degrees minutes north lati-
tude. or 203 miles from the Pole.
The Roosevelt left Port-au-B Basques, New
foundland at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and
averaged five miles an hour TO Sydney. expe-
riencing light wind and rains. The ship came
10 anchor off the yacht squadron pier. and
though the hour early the Roosevelt was
visited by the American Consul and vari-
local officials, and an invitation was ex-
tended Commander Peary behalf of the sgd
ney Board Of Trade TO be the guest of that
commercial body at a banquet proposed TO be
given in his honor tonight.
A large quantity Of mail awaited Commander
Peary. and he decided at the time not to make
fixed arrangements regarding his present move
ments. He ashore almost Immediately
after the steamer TO anchor, and Joined
Mrs. Peary, who has been here for two weeks,
awaiting her husbands return.
When asked what he thought of the sugges-
ton embodied in Fridtjof Nansen's recent in
teryiew, 10 the effect that Peary's latest ex-
perience served to strengthen the plan of reach
ing the Pole by drifting from Bering Sea,
Commander Peary said ne always believed
there were great possibilities in the drifting
theory for of the temperament to stand
Imprisonment for several years in the ice. For
his part, he could not adapt himself to it.
Touching the outbreak OF the gale which had
Unexpectedly come up in the Arctic and de-
stroyed the ice bridge. Commander Peary said
inr ind IN, t,a
Arctic region, but it always of the
force Of gale. and 1t was impossible TO tell
IN advance when gale would or would not
occur. No person could anticipate that prob
lem, as gales happened with probably the same
irresularity there in any other part Of the
globe He would not talk about the Wellman
expedition plans as he said he made it point
not 10 discuss the ideas of other explorers
Commander Peary appears in the best of
health and spirits, and though disappointed at
the failure TO reach the Pole, nevertheless feels
satisfied with the advance actually made
DR.. L. ]. Wolff said that the health Of the
party had been excellent. There was no death
and practically no sickness Dr. Wolff said that
he had not the slightest doubt that If the gala
OF the early part of March had not occurred the
Pole would have been reached without diff
Guilty. Dr. Wolff said he and other members
OF the expedition intended to stay by the Roose-
welt until she reached New York
CAPTAIN BARTLETT HOPEFUL.
Captain John Bartlett master Of the Roose-
welt, said the steamer vas a good sea boat and
that he will sail her TO New York He is ready
10 go again TO the Arctic
Captain Bartlett was in charge Of one of the
parties supporting Commodore Peary's advance
He said the storm which did the mischief WAS
tremendous in violence. and accompanied by
binding squalls Of fine Arctic snow The ice
nelo was rent widely asunder and all trace of
The track destroyed. Under ordinary conditions
tracking is easy in the Far North, as the snow
packs hard and bootnarks are sometimes pre-
served Tor six months. There is probably no
man Of the thirty IN the expedition except ner-
maps Peary himself who so keenly regrets the
failure TO reach the Pole He is satisfied 1T can
pe done without great difficulty weather permit
ung, and believes il would have been accom-
pllshed this trip except for the gale in question
FIRST MAJ Bartlett, cousin of the captain,
VINO hdd peen North before, but never remained
lhere prior 10 this trip, said the crew of the
snip were well paid and well fed and the Roose-
Welt was a stanch ship. but he did not think
many OF The Newfoundland members o3 the pres
ent crew would be found willing to ioin another
expedition 1t was hard experience which
1e" men cared TO repeat. Several other mem
pers OF the crew, including some of the en-
glheefs staff, expressed similar sentiments
Their complaint was directed. not to treatment
by Peary, but 20 the priyatiCns and dangers of
me Work. Generally they seem satisfied with
me ship and her stores and equipment The
only trouble resembling characterization on the
trip to which the crew now confess occurred ar
t1opedale on the way home. The steamer had
been leaking badly, and with a nakeshfft rudder
~ was round hard TO navigate her of that
\ le1~ Three unsuccessful attempts We're made
N Dut the ship would not respond to the helm, and
threatened 10 turn broadside to the sea The
crew refused 10 try a fourth time and then
the roosevelt was beached and the leaks in and
around The rudder stock were repaired as we'll
of tl,a
lluIliy reported TO have occurred After effect
ing tensofaTy repairs at Hopedale the crew
reaQliy consented to continue the voyage TO
sydney. The Roosevelt was leaking hnt not
enough to require the hand pumps to he nnannad
the water being kept under by the steam pumps
EsQUIMAUs WERE WRONG
Walter Clarke, a fireman who was in charge
Of one Of the supporting parties bringing IN
supplies to fortify Peary's dash for the pole
had trying experience which almost cost him
his life. He is under average stature and slirn1v
built and, working in the fire hold. was not
looked upon as a likely man to captain party
Of EsQuimaus and face the terrible frost of 1be
march north over the ice field. Clarke volun-
teered to lead supporting party. He is a
native of Fall River, Mass. and a machnist nv
trade. He had three EsQuirnaus and twenty f7oosS
and took third place the line of comrnuni .
cations When the great form visited tho ay
pedluon Clarke and his .arty were driven over
hundred miles TO the east. toward the north
coast Of Greenland. with only watch comnaes
TO guide them, all trail marks having been
wiped out Through some error OF ludgmant
the three Esqunlaus declared that Cane CoIurn
biay the objective point, was in the opposite IA -
rection to which II really was Clarke tried -
persuade them they Were wrong b1It 1itfIo,It
aVah. Iney We're three against one and he
had 10 follow their lead going east and away
from the chance of succor. Provisions ran oIy
and they ate thirteen Of the twenty dogs Thay
saved by Commander Pearv acc35or+I ~
crossing their trail '-'14iS
After reading the letters which have accurnu-