Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-01
Is Still the Goal Of Com.
Peary's Ambition.
Wants 10 Make Another Start
About July | Next.
About $4,000 Is Needed to Fl.
nance the Expedition.

f. Peary, who has planted the Ameri-
can flag nearer the coveted Northern
goal than any other living man, is in
New York making active preparations
for another Arctic dash in the hope of
solving the mystery Of the north which
for centuries has been the aim Of dar-
ing explorers. The staunch steamer
Roosevelt which the Peary Arctic Club
built for Commander Peary and which
carried him and his little party on his
last northward journey, has been over
hauled and put in better condition
than ever for her expected battles with
the ice barriers of the frozen north.
The ship is Juggling at her hawsers in
the harbor here ready to start when
her commander gives the word.
Peary's present plans contemplate
his departure from New York about
July 1 but lack of sufficient funds to
finance the expedition may prevent the
start In fact unless $4,000 is forth
coming by the first of July the pro-
ject will have to be abandoned. An
auxiliary ship or collier will accom-
pany the Roosevelt as far North as
Etah, where Peary's coal depot in the
last expedition, was located. Etah was
the winter quarters of DR.. Hayes last
expedition and is located about 20 de-
grees north latitude. A small party Of
spOrtsmen and scientists may go north
as far as Etah on the auxiliary ship,
returning with her about Sept. 1.
Commander Peary has devoted near
~ 20 years to efforts to solve the great
problems of the North and already
has put into the work all of his per-
sonal means, amounting to $4,000. He
has greater experience in Arctic
work and a more complete knowledge
of details than any other man living.
His work and objects have the hearty
Endorsement of President Roosevelt,
who says that failure to properly
equip his expedition will be "a real
misfortune from a national stand
point"
Peary is hopeful that the compare
lively small sum necessary to conf
plete the exploration fund may be
raised in time to permit him to carry
out his plans and he is now eXerting
every energy to secure the remaining
money needed. Peary expects to ac-
complish the journey to the Pole in
Is months but will take with him sup
plies for q 3-years stay
zone very important result of my
last expedition as bearing upon the
success of the coming one" said Com
mander Peary today" is the distinct
improbability that conditions in the
comparatively short distance of 200
miles between my furtherest north
point, and the pole itself will be in any
way different from the conditions en-
H.. e,N, hn lac
of my Journey If conditions are no
worse in the next season than they
were during the last voyage l shall
hope to accomplish the objects or the
expedition and return in about Is
months-in October. 1909. ought.
however. to have supplies and equip
ment for a stay of three years.
1.-The principal change in the Roose-
welt has been in connection with her
boiler battery. On her last voyage
this battery comprised one Scotch
boiler of 500 horsepower and two Amy
water tube boilers of $50 horsepower
each. lie recognized that these boilers
were in the nature of an experiment
for the kind of work expected. but the
great saving in weight which meant
the ability to carry more coal was
strong temptation to give them trial
Unfortunately these boilers went out
of commission the third day out from
sydney and as a result the work done
by the Roosevelt in her last voyage
was done with one-half her designed
boiler power | now have two new
OO-horsepower Scotch boilers. which
are likely to remain in commission
throughout the entire voyage. Inc.
new boilers are also arranged athWart
ship instead of fore and aft as In the
previous installation. with the hreroom
forward of the boilers. This arrange
ment makes the entire main hoid
bunker and permits feeding coal d.
rect from the hold to the fire room
'"The deck house forward forming
quarters for the crew in the previous
VOYAGE has been removed and the ship
has been given top gallant forecastie
running back to the main hatch. Thls
ARRANGEMENT more than doubles the
accommodations forward, and gives
ample space for housing my Eskimo
contingent comfortably. The Roose-
welt has also been given a large square
sail on the foremost with hosting
ward to enable her to better utilize
stern breeze.
Captain Robert A. Bartlett OF
Brigus. Newfoundland, my sailing
master on my last voyage, will serve
again and he will select his mate,
bo'sun and sailors from among the
best of the Newfoundland sealers'
George Wardwell of Bucksport, Me-
will again accompany the expedition as
chief engineer, and his assistants ana
firemen will be Americans selected at
ter rigid examination physically, NOR
ally and with respect to their ability
in their lire. The total NUMBER
aboard on leaving here will probably
he 2O-the same as formerly. Charles
Percy. my steward on two previous
VOYAGES, will go again. as will also
Mathew Henson, my colored assistant.
NV surgeon is yet to be selected.
shall take aboard from 20 to % of the
most effective Eskimo hunters and dog
drivers who will be accompanied by
their wives and children which will
make the Eskimo contingent going
north from the Whale Sound region
from 40 to so. I shall require from
200 to $50 dogs.
"At the present time am constantly
xxyon1d-Dp VOL |