East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-16
RACE TO THE POLE
PEARY STARTS ON
ARCTIC JOURNEY THIS WEEK.
English Explorer IL Already on the
Way-American Plans TO Dash Over
Ice In February-Will Sail on the
Roosevelt.

When Commander Robert Il. Peary
boards his steamer, The Roosevelt, at
Sydney, Cape Breton, this week, and
starts on his expedition in search of
the north pole, an international race
to the uttermost ends Of the earth will
be on. Peary hopes to carry the stars
and stripes to the north pole, while
British antarctic expedition, COM
manded by Lieutenant Ernest H.
Shackelton. is trying to place the
Union Jack OF the British empire at
30 degrees south. Although the
British expedition has a year ad-
vantage in point of time, Peary hopes
to win the race. Shackelton and his
party left London on July 80, 1907,
on board the Nimrod, originally a
tons, but which had been refitted as
a steam barkentine. Shackelton is
an officer OF the navy and before
leaving Londan, King Edward be-
slowed Upon him the Victorian Order.
He was a member of the British ant
arctic expedition OF 1902-03 under
Captain Scott and with his comman-
der and another member Of the party,
accomplished a journey with dogs to
a point SO degrees II minutes south
latitude during which they we're abb
sent from their ship. the Discovery,
9S days and covered distance of $50
miles. Peary reached 81 degrees 6
minutes north on April 21, 1906.
The Nimrod's crew all told number
ed S2 men, including several scientists,
but the landing party was to consist
OF but l2 men. The barkentine sailed
early in January from New Zealand
and returned In March, having left
the Shackelton party camped at the
foot OF the icebergs. The party took
with them materials for wooden
buildings with double doors and win
dows TO be lined with felt and several
inches OF granulated cork. Provisions
and supplies for a long stay were
landed The Nimrod brought back
to New Zealand tale OF disaffection
in the party which resulted in the
resignation OF Captain England, the
Nimrod's skipper. and the ship will
return 10 the little bank easily in
1909 without him.
Shackelton took with him a spe-
cially built motor shed which he hop
cially built motor sled which he hop
number OF Siberian ponies, in addition
~ n xnsin
only Esquimos and dogs The boxes
containing the supplies aboard the
Roosevelt were so designed as TO make
possible the construction OF a house
out Of them at Cape Sheridan. The
structure will be about 20x60 feet
and viii be covered with the Roose-
velt's mainsail and that in turn COW
cred with snow. Peary plans TO make
his dash for the pole from his base
OF supplies in February OF next year
and hopes to return to the United
States some time In October.
Before leaving London Lieutenant
Shackelton was presented BY Queen
Alexandria with beautiful flag to
carry with him on his southern dash.
About the same time the Daughters
OF the American Revolution gave
Commander Peary a beautiful flag
made OF silk and consisting OF the
stars and stripes surrounded by
broad field OF white to carry with him
to the north pole. On the day the
Roosevelt left New York, William o.
Mcdowell, the founder. of the society
of the Daughters OF the American
Revolution, handed Peary a letter
from Emily B. Richie Mclean, pres
ident general Of the society, in which
she said: May marvellous discovery