davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Goal of Centuries Reached By Marvelousy Swift Travel, Smooth Ice and Mild Weather Helping Sensations of Intrepid
 Commander at Climax of
 His Life Work.

the distance. but it was only momen- tary. My work was still ahead. not in the rear.
 Bartlett had done good work and had been a great help to me. Circumstances had thrust the brunt of the pioneering upon him instead of dividing it among several. as I had planned.
 He had reason to take pride in the fact that he had bettered the Italian record by a degree and a quarter and had covered a distance equal to the entire distance of the Italian expedi- tion from Franz Josefs land to Cagni's farthest north.
 I had given Bartlett this position and post of honor in command of my fourth and last supporting party. and for two reasons: first, because of his magnificent handling of the Roosevelt; second. because he had cheerfully stood between me and many trifiing annoy ances on the expeditions.
 Then there was a third reason. It seemed to me appropriate in view of the magnificent British record of arc tic work, covering three centuries, that it should be British subject who could boast that, next to an American, he had been nearest the pole.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Little Trouble in Leads.

South of where Marvin had turned back we came to where his party had built several igloos while delayed by open leads Still further south we found where the captain had been held up by an open lead and obliged to camp.
 Fortunately tho movement of these leads was simply open and shut. and it took considerable water motion to fault the trail seriously.
 While the captain. Marvin. and as found later. Borup. had been delayed by open leads. we seemed to bear a charm and with no single lead were we delayed more than couple of hours. Sometimes the ice was fast and firm enough to carry us across; sometimes short detour. sometimes a brief halt for the lead to close sometimes an inn provised ferry on an ice cake kept the trail without difficulty down to the tenth outward march,
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Men All Tried and True.

Four of them possess the technique of dogs. sledges. ice, and cold as their heri- tage. Two of them, Hansen and Ootam were my companions to the farthest point three years before. Two others, Eginwuk and Sigloo, were in Clark's division, which had such narrow escape at that time, and now were willing to go any where with my immediate party, and willing to risk themselves again in any supporting party.
 The fifth was a young man who had never served before in any expedition, but who was, if possible, even more willing and eager than the others for the princely gifts-a boat, a rifle, shot gun, ammunition, knives, etc., which I had promised to each of them who reached the pole with me; for he knew that these riches would enable him to Wrest from a stubborn father the girl whose image filled his hnf vnlner haart
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Pole Reached at Last.

I had now made my five marches, and was in time for a nasty noon observation through a temporary break in the clouds. which indicated our position as S9.57. I quote entry from my journal some hours later:
 The pole at last. The prize of three centuries, my dream and goal for 20 years, mine at last I cannot bring my self to realize it.
 It all seems so simple and common place. As Bartlett said when turning back, when speaking of his being in these exclusive regions which no mortal has ever penetrated before: Tt is just like every day"
 Of course I had my sensations that made sleep impossible for hours, despite my utter fatigue-the sensations of a life time; but I have no room for them here.
 The first 30 hours at the pole were spent in taking observations; in going some ten miles beyond our camp and some eight miles to the right of it; in taking photographs. planting my flags, depositing my records, studying the hori- zon with my telescope for possible land, and searching for a practicable place to make a sounding.
 Ten hours after our arrival the clouds cleared before a light breeze from our left and from that time until our depar- ture in the afternoon of April the weather was cloudless and fawless.
 The minimum temperature during the 30 hours was B below, the maximum F.
 We had reached the goal but the re- turn was still before us. It was essential that we reach the land before the next spring tide, and We must strain every nerve to do this.
 I had a brief talk with my men. From now on it was to be a big travel, little sleep and a hustle every minute
 We would try, I told them. to double march on the return-that is, to start and cover one of our northWard marches, make tea and eat our luncheon in the iglooS. then cover another march, eat and sleep a few hours, and repeat this daily
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Sea 1.5OO Fathons Deep.

Five miles from the pole a narrow crack filled with recent ice. through which we were able to work hole with a pickax, enabled me to make a sounding. All my wire 1,50O fathons was sent down. but there was no bot tom
 In pulling up the wire parted a few fathoms from the surface and lead and wire went to the bottom. off went reel and handle. Tightening the sledges still further We had no more use for them now.
 Three marches brought us back to the igloos where the captain turned back. The last march was in the wild sweep of northerly gale. with drift ing snow and the ice rocking under as
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Shocked by Marvin's Death.

We reached Heela in one march and the Roosevelt in another. When we got to the Roosevelt I was staggered by the news of the fatal mishap to Marvin He had either been less cautious or less fortunate than the rest of us, and his death emphasized the risk to which we all had been subjected, for there was not one of us but had been in the sledge at some time during the journey.
 The big lead cheated of its prey three years before, had at last gained it's hu- man victim.
 The rest can be told quickly. McMillan and Borup had started for the Green land coast to deposit caches for me. Be- fore I arrived a flying Eskimo courier from me overlook them with instructions that the caches were no longer needed and they were to concentrate their ener- gies on the ideal observations, etc, at Cape Morris K. Jesup and north from
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Borup Valuable in Many Ways.

Borup not only made the record as to the distance travelled during the jour ney. but to his assistance and his expert knowledge of photography is due what I believe to be the unequaled series of photographs taken bv the expedition.
 Chief Engineer Wardwell also of the last expedition aided by his as- sistant Scott. kept the machinery up to a high state of efficiency and has given the Roosevelt the force and pow CT which enabled It to negotiate appar- ently impracticable ice.
 MT Gushue, the mate. who was in charge of the Roosevelt during the ab- sence of Capt Bartlett and myself, and Boatswain Murphy. who was put in charge of the station at Etah for the relief of Cook were both trustworthy and reliable men. and I count myself fortunate in having had them in my
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Heavy Running Ice.

Finally on September we squeezed \around Cape Union and made fast in a ssalIow niche in the ice, but after some
 ors we made another short run to Black cape and hung on to grounded bit of ice At last, little after mid night of September ,, we passed through extremely heavy running ice into a stream of open water, rounded Cape Ravson and passed Cape Sheridan.
 Within quarter of an hour of the same time we arrived three years before seven a. m., September 5-we reached the open water extending beyond Cape Sheridan.
 !, We steamed up to the end of it and 1t appeared practicable at first to reach Porter bay near Cape Joseph Henly, which I had for my winter quarters but the outlook being unsatisfactory, l went back and put the Roosevelt into the only opening in the foe, being barred close to the mouth of the Sheridan riv- CT a little north of our position three years prior.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Changes His Plan.

From this point the expedition com prised 20 men, 10 sledges, and 70 dogs. It was necessary for Marvin to take a sledge from here and I put Bartlett and his division in advance to pioneer the trail
 The continual daylight enabled me to make moderation here that brought my advance and main parties closer together and reduced the likelihood of their be- ing separated by open leads.
 After Bartlett left camp with Tender son and their division, Marvin and 1 re- mained with our division 20 hours long CT and then followed. When we reached Bartlett's camp he broke out and went on and we turned in. By this arrange ment the advance party was travelling while the main party was asleep, and vice versa. and I was in touch with my advance marty every "A hours.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Bartlett Leads the Way.

On the last day of February Bartlett, with his pioneer division, accomplished this, and his division got away due north over the ice on March l. The rest of the party got away Bartletts trail, and l followed an hour later.
 The party now comprised seven mem bers of the expedition. r Eskimos, 1S3 dogs and 19 sledges One Eskimo and seven dogs had gone to pieces.
 A strong easterly wind, drifting snow, and temperature in the minus marked our departure from the camp at Cape Columbia, which I had christened Crane City. Rough ice in the first march damaged several sledges and smashed two beyond repair, the teams going back to Columbia for other sledges in reserve
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Pass British Record.

We camped ten miles from Crane City. The easterly wind and low temperature continued. In the second march we passed the British record made by Mark ham in May. 1S76-S2. 20--and were stopped by open water, which had been formed by wind after Bartlett passed.
 In this march we negotiated the lead and reached Bartlett's third camp Borup had gone back from here, but missed his way, owing to the faulting of the trail by the movement of the ice
 Marvin came back also for more fuel and alcohol. The wind continued, form ing open water all about us. At the end of the fourth march we came upon Bartlett, who had been stopped by a wide lake of open water. We remained here from March to March IL
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Fine Morning for Start.

It was fine morning. The wind of the last two days had subsided and the going was the best and most equable large and old, and clear. and were sur rounded by pressure ridges. some of which were almost stupendOus.
 The biggest of them. however, were easily negotiated. either through some crevice or up some huge brink. I set a good pace for about ten hours Twenty five miles took me we'll be- yond the eighty eighth parallel.
 While I was building my igloos a long lead forward by the east and soutswest of us at a distance of a few
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Praise for His Aids.

As to the personnel. I have again been particularly fortunate. Capt Bartlett is just Bartlett-tireless, sleepless. enthusi- astic. whether on the bridge in the crows nest or at the head of a sledge division in the field.
 Dr. Goodsell, the surgeon of the expe- dition. not only looked after it's health and his own specially of microscopes but took his full share of the field work of the expedition as well, and was always ready for any work.
 Profs Marvin and McMillan have se- cured a mass of scientific data, having made all the tidal and most of the field york and their services were invaluable
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Moves ExpeditiouSIy.

I had no reason to complain of the going for the next two marches, though for less experienced party, less adapt able sledges, or less perfect equipment it would have been an impossibility.
 At our position at the end of the sec ond march, Marvin obtained a satisfac- tory sight for latitude in clear weather. which placed us at S5.4S The result agreed satisfactorily with the dead reck- oning of Marvin, Bartlett and myself.
 Up to this time, the slight altitude of the sun had made it not worth while to waste time in observations.
 On the next two marches the going inn proved, and we covered good distances. In one of these marches lead delayed us a few hours. We finally ferried across
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Ready for Final Effort.

With the disappearance of Bartlett l turned to the problem before me. This was that for which l had worked for 32 years. for which I had lived the simple life; for which I had conserved all my energy on the upward trip; for which I had trained myself as for race, crush ing down every worry about success.
 In spite of my years, I felt in trim fit for the demands of the coming days and eager to be on the trail.
 As for my party, my equipment, and my supplies, I was in shape beyond my most sanguine dreams of earliest years.
 My party might be regarded as an ideal, which had now come to realization as loyal and responsive to my will as the fingers of my right hand
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Strike Ice and Fog.

From this point we had a clear run through the middle of Robeson channel uninterrupted by either ice or fog, to Lady Franklin bay. Here we encoun- tered both ice and fog, and while working along in search of a practi- cable opening were forced across to the Greenland coast at Thank God Harbor.
 The fog lifted there and enabled us to make out our whereabouts and we steamed north through a series of leads past Cape Lupton, and thence south ward toward Cape Union. A few miles off that cape we were stopped by inn practicable ice. and we drifted back south to Cape Union. where we stopped
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
MacMlIIan Turns Back.

At night Marvin and Borup came spin ming in with their men and dogs steam ing in the bitter air like squadron of battleships. Their arrival relieved me of all anxiety as to our oil supply
 In the morning I discovered that Mac Millan's foot was badly frost bitten. The mishap had occurred two or three days before. but Mac Milan had said nothing about it in the hope that it would come out all right.
 A glance at the injury showed me that the only thing was to send him back to Cape Columbia at once. The arrival of Marvin and Borup enabled me to spare sufficient men and dogs to go back with him.
 On leaving the camp the expedition comprised l6 men, F sledges and 100 dogs The next march was satisfactory as re- gards distance and the character of the
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23

From here we followed the captains passed up the vertical edge of the glacier fringe, a little west of Cape Columbia.
 When the last sledge came up thought my Eslsimos had gone crazy. They yelled and called and danced themselves helpless. As Ootah sat down on his sledge he rema rked, in Eskimo:
 The devil is asleep or having trouble with his wife, or we never should have come back so easily"
 A few hours later we arrived at Crane City, under the bluffs of Cape Columbia and. after putting four pounds of pemmican into each of the faithful dogs to keep them quiet, we had. at last OUT chance to sIeep
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Supplies Moved to Base.

In the February moon Bartlett went to Cape Hecla, Goodsall moved some more supplies from Hecla to Cape Colan, and Borup went to Markham inlet on a hunt ing trip. On February 15 Bartlett left the Roosevelt with his division for Cape Columbia and Parr bay
 Goodsall, Borup, MacMillan and Han sen followed on successive days with their provisions. Marvin returned from Cape Bryant on February r and left for Cape Columbia on February 21. brought up the rear on February 22.
 The total of all divisions leaving the Roosevelt was seven members of the party, 59 Eskimos. 14O dogs and B sledges.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Sleep Finally in Safety.

Never shall forget that sleep at Cape Columbia. It was sleep, sleep. then turn over and sleep again. We slept glorious ly, with never thought of the morrow or having to walk and too. with no thought that there was to be never a night more of binding headache.
 Cold water to a parched throat is noth- ing compared with sleep to numbed. fatigued brain and body.
 Two days we spent here in sleeping and drying our clothes. Then for the ship. Our dogs, like ourselves. had not been hungry when we arrived, but simply life less with fatigue. They were different animals now, and the better ones among them swept on with tightly curled tails and uplifted heads and their hind legs treading the snow with pistonlike regu- l1
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Make Ready for Dash.

By February 27 such of the Cape Colan depot as was needed had been brought up to Cape Columbia, the dogs were rested and double rationed and harnessed, and the sledges and other gear over hauled.
 Four months of northerly winds during the fall and winter instead of souther ly ones, as during the previous season. led me to expect less open water than before, but great deal of rough ice, and I was prepared to hew a road through the jagged ice for the first hundred miles or so then cross the big lead
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Members of Crew Lauded.

The members of the crew and the firemen were a distinct improvement over those of our last expedition. Every one of them was willing and anxious to be of service in every possible way.
 Connors. who was promoted to be bos'n in the absence of Murphy, proved to be practically effective.
 Barnes. seaman, and Wiseman and Joyce, firemen not only assisted Mar win and McMillan in their tidal and meteorological observations on the Roosevelt. but Wiseman and Barnes went into the field with them on their trips to Cape Columbia, and Condon and Cody covered 1000 miles hunting and slpdeins sIIDplies
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Ship Forced Aground.

We lay for some time in a lake of water. and then. to prevent being drift ed south again, took refuge under the north shore of Lincoln bay, in nearly the identical place where We had our unpleasant experiences three years be- fore Here we remained for seVereal days during period Of constant and at times violent northeasterly winds
 Twice we were forced aground by the heavy ice; we had our port quar- ter rail broken and a hole stove in the bulwarks. and twice we pushed out in an attempt to get north, but were forced back each time to our precari- ous shelter.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Supplies Left for Eskimos.

AS for my faithful Eskimos, I have left them with ample supplies of dark. rich walrus meat and blubber for tbeir winter with entrants. sugar. biscuits guns, rifles, ammunition, knives, hatch cts traps, etc.
 For the splendid four who stood be- side me at the pole a boat and tent each to requite them for their energy and the hardship and toll they under went to help their friend Peary to the north pole.
 But all of this-the dearly bought years of experience. the magnificent strength of the Roosevelt the spIen- did energy and enthusiasm of my party the loyal faithfulness of my Eskimos could have gone for naught but for the faithful necessaries of war fur nished so Loyalty by the members and friends of the Peary Arctic club.
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Few Handicaps Are Faced.

A few hours sleep and we were on the trail again, As the going was now practically horizontal we were un- hampered and could travel as long as we pleased and sleep as little as we wished.
 The weather was fine and the going like that of the previous day. except at the beginning. when pickaxes were required This and a brief stop at an other lead cut down our distance. But we had made 20 miles in ten hours and were half way to the eighty ninth ma
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
First Handicap on Return.

Igloos there disappeared completely and the entire region was unreeogniz- able. Where on the outward journey had been narrow cracks. there were now broad leads. one of them over five miles in width. caught over with young ice.
 Here again fortune favored us. and no pronounced movement of the ico having taken place since the captain passed, we had his trail to follow. We picked up the old trail again north of the seventh igloos. followed it beyond
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Put Up for Winter.

The season was further advanced than in 1905. there was more snow on the ground and the new ice inside the foe bergs was much thicker.
 The work of discharging the ship was commenced at once and rushed to com pletion. The supplies and equipment we sledged across ice and sea and deposited on shore. house and workshop were
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Makes Record Run.

The next day Bartlett let himself out, evidently, for a record, and reeled off 20 miles Here Marvin obtained another satisfactory sight on latitude, which gave the position as S63S Cor beyond the farth- est north of Nansen and AbruzzD, and showed that we had covered 50 minutes of latitude in three marches.
 In these three marches we had passed the Norwegian record of S614, by Man. sen, and the Italian record of S6.34, by Cagni.
 From this point Marvin turned back in command of the third supporting party. My last words to him were: Be care- full of the leads. my boy"
 The party from this point comprised nine men, seven sledges. and 50 dogs. The conditions at this camp and the ap- parently unbroken expanse of fairly level ice in every direction reminded me of Cagni's description of his farthest north
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Temporarily DiScouraued.

l came upon Bartlett and his party, Tagged out and temporarily discouraged by the heartracking work of making road.
 l knew what was the matter with them. They were simply spoiled by the good going on the previous marches rallied them a bit frightened their sledges and sent them on encouraged again.
 During the next march we travelled through a thick haze drifting over the ice before biting air from the north east. At the end of the march we came upon the captain camped beside a wide open lead with a dense black water sky northwest, north and northeast
 The next march was also a long one. It was Bartletts last hit He let him. self out over series of large old foes. steadily increasing in diameter and covered with hard snow
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Danger Is Encountered.

But l was not deceived by the appar- ently favorable outlook, for available conditions never continue for any dis tance or any length of time in the arc tic regions
 The next march was over good go- ing. but for the first time since leaving land we experienced that condition, ire quent over these ice fields of hay at mosphere, in which the light is equal everywhere. All relief is destroyed. and it is impossible to see for any distance
 We were obliged in this march to make a detour around an open lead In the next march we encountered the heaviest and deepest snow of the journey, through a thick. smothering mantle lying in the depressions of heavy ruhhle ice
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23

built of board. covered with sails, and fitted with stoves, and the ship was snug for winter in shoal water, where it touched bottom at low tide.
 The settlement on the stormy shores of the Arctic ocean was christened Hub- bardvlle.
 Hunting parties were sent out on Sep tember 10 and a bear was brought in on the 18th and some deer day or two
The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-23
Make Forced Marches.

The next morning I put Marvin in the lead to pioneer the trail, with instruc- tions to make two forced marches to bring up our average which had been cut down by the last two short ones. Marvin carried out his instructions i'm plicitly. A considerable amount of young ice assisted in this
 At the end of the tenth march, latitude S5 23 Borup turned back in command of the second supporting party, having trav- eled a distance equivalent to Nansen's distance from this far to his farthest north.
 I was sorry to lose this young Yale runner, with his enthusiasm and pluck. He had led his heavy sledge over the foes in a way that commanded every ones admiration and would have made fat erliStara