Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-13
TOUCHED FARTHEsT NORTH.
Psary Brings us the Honor Held BY
An Italian.

Roosevelt, left New York on her long
journey In search of the North Pole
on July 16 Of last year. The Roose-
velt was built in Maine and came
down TO New York, where she was
rented before starting. The vessel,
for which the funds were furnished by
the Peary Arctic club Of New York. was
designed by Naval Architect William
q. wlnant particularly for Arctic ex-
ploration. She cost about 100000.
The Roosevelt had a crew OF 20 men.
under Capt Bartlett.
Commander Peary did not go with
the ship from New York, but Joined
her later at Sydney, c. B., where she
took on coal and additional supplies.
The Roosevelt left Sydney on July 26.
She was next reported at Domino
Run, Labrador. on July 90. From
that point she crossed to Greenland.
The vessel was next heard from at
Etah North Greenland. She passed
Cape York on August z. The ex-
petitions auxiliary steamer Erik had
visited various settlements in Green
land meanwhile. and had obtained
natives and dogs for the explorer and
turned them over to the Roosevelt
on August IS.
At Etah the Roosevelt overhauled
her machinery. took on board her
last supply of coal from the Erik,
and thence proceeded north, with 23
Esklnos and about 200 dogs on board
When nothing had been heard from
the Roosevelt by last July some
friends. Of the Arctic explorer who
had expected message of some kind
in May or June, began to Se worried
over the long delay. This anxiety,
however, was not shared by the
members Of the Peary Arctic club,
who then said they did not expect to
hear from Peary until October or
November. 1t was then explained
that his only way OF getting news
down from the north was by whal-
ing ships
Peary planned to have his head
quarters $50 miles north of Cape Sa-
bine, From that point he planned to
make his actual journey to the pole.
distance Of 500 miles, across des-
ert Of Ice and snow. This final dash
he expected to make in a month or
six weeks from the time he left head
quarters.
In an interview just before he
sailed, Commander Peary had this to
say about his plans:
Nearly all Of my men are MEM
bers Of former Arctic expeditions and
thoroughly familiar with the work
ahead Of them. will take on
500 tons OF coal at Sydney, c. B.. af-
ter which we will proceed via the
Gulf Of st. Lawrence to Belle Isle and
along the coast of Labrador to Davis
strait.
"From Davis strait we win sail
through the west coast Of Greenland,
through Melville bay to the Whale
sound regions. At the last named
point we viii pick up the Eskimo
dogs. and then proceed to Sabine,
where our Eskimos-the pick OF their
race-will assemble.
"The Roosevelt will then be pushed
through the Kennedy and Robson
channels to the north shore Of Grant
land, where we will remain there un--
til February 1, and then we begin the
dash for the north pole, 400 miles
away.N f ~
.Theee are three strong points in
my favoA Fist. the Roosevelt Is the
most powerful Arctic boat ever built;
second. my knowledge gained by 10
years in the Arctic; third, my knowl-
edge of the Eskimos and how to
handle them. expect to find moth
ing abnormal, and am convinced
there Is no open sea and no pole 10
nail the flag to. The fact is, one
might step on the pole and without
instruments OF precision never know
It."
Commander Peary also. said that In
his party would be only two white
men, one a physician. On the trip
there was to be a sledge for each
Eskimo and from six to eight dogs to
each sledge. Each of the sledges
was to have 500 pounds of dog food,
ships biscuit and tea. The explorers
only instruments, he said. would be
travellers theodolite, pocket sex
tant and chronometer. Although
he was convinced there was no ami
NAL life in the country, he intended to
carry two large rifles.
Commander Peary's ship. the
Roosevelt, is the most powerful yes
sci ever built for Arctic exploration.
It has a pronounced raking stem and
wedge-shaped bow. very sharp
rise of floor afforded form OF side
which 1t was hoped could not be
grasped by the ice, while big over
hang at the stern was devised to pro-
tect the propeller.
Screw tie rods were used to bind
the ship together. and the bow was
filled In almost solid to meet the i'm
pact of the Ice. Other peculiartues
Of the ship are a massive and unus-
ual reinforcement Of the rudder post
to prevent twisting. and the adoption
Of q rudder that can be lifted out or
the water. Besides her steam power,
the Roosevelt, which is schooner
rugged, carries fourteen sails.
This trip is the ninth that Com
marder Peary has made into Arctic
regions. His first was made In 1885.
when he crossed part Of Greenland.
When he went again. In 1891, he win
tered on the west coast. and In the
spring he went diagonally over the
ice cap to a point on the northeast
coast never before visited. This he
named Indedendence bay. In 1898
Mrs Peary accompanied him on his
trip north. On these trips he brought
down, masses Of iron believed to be
Of meteoric origin.
In 1898 he visited England, where
he outlined his plans for future trips
before many scientific societies. To
that trip was due, perhaps, the gift
Of the ship Windward, then owned by
Mr.. Harmsworth. Peary also re-
ceived handsome backing from his
own countrymen. A club was organ
lied which was composed OF twenty
five members, each Of whom was to
contribute $1,000 O. year for four
years to promote Peary's plans.
Morris X. Jesup and James ], Hill
not only doubled their subscription,
hat avfandad tbann Mr. Ias1In aided