Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-06
and civilization, and they enab led him to
trade for dog meat and food.
whitney Talks to Bernier.

Capt. Berner learned the result OF
Peary's expedition from Whitney. and a
news correspondent when he met the
Jeanne in the River Clyde. Baff1ns Land.
September g. They were the first white
men the men OF the Arctic had seen after
leaving Etah in August, 1908, and they
learned the news OF the outside world in
a long visit that lasted from midnight
until o'clock in the morning.
He said at that time he believed both
men had found the goal they had sought.
and declared he would now have to give
up the ambition OF years to make the
trial, and which he knew he could have
made record at If the Canadian govern
ment had given its permission.
Capt. Bernier and the Arctic left Que
bee July q. saluting the Prince of Wales.
who was there for the Quebec tercenten-
with H. NJ. 8. 1ndomitable. He proceeded
to Etah where he met the Eric the
auxiliary ship Of the Roosevelt, but did
not see Peary. who had left for the north
the day before.
There were two tons OF provisions left
with Whitney. and on August 20 the
Arctic proceeded to Erebus bay. on North
Devon Island. where Sir John Franklin
had wintered in 1sl546. Here Capt.
Bernier found a relic Of that Inflated ex-
petition in the shape OF paddle marked
''Erebus.'' and he left there q cache Of
provisions to provide for the emergency
of the loss of his ship.
Leaving Erebus August "a. the ship
went into quarters near the Parry Islands
Melville Island. 1t being the first ship to
have winter quarters there since 1919
arctic explorers. was there The ship
remained frozen in the Ice from August
81 to July y.
Nearer Than He Thought.
DR.. Cook was. during part of this
time, at Cape Sparbo, a little more than
800 miles away. Capt. Bernier said that
If he had known it he would certainly
have organized an expedition for his re-
lief, which would have enabled the ex-
plorer to get back to civilization without
the suffering and hardship which he was
compehed to endure
August - Capt. Bernier saw the open
water between Banks Land and Melville
Island. and declared that it would have
been the easiest task for him to have
made the northwest passage If his in
structions had not prevented. and that
he believes passage can be accomplished
any year.
The purpose Of the expedition was to
plant the Canadian flag and take possess
sion of the land in the name of the
Dominion government. This land had
been transferred to the jurisdiction of
Canada by the mother government, and
Capt. Bernier took formal possession of
Banks Land. Victoria Island and King
Williams Land during the winter.
Seven Of the crew, in command or Mr..
Green, third mate, went as far west as
the point reached by the Investigator in
1853 They were 100 miles further west
than Mercy bay. and were absent from
the ship from May l until June 10. This
party endured much suffering, and was
compelled to eat an old dog which &C
companied them.
The ships party was well supplied with
fresh meat throughout the long arctic
winter. Without straying very far from
the ship sixty-seven musk Oxen were
killed. eighty-seven caribou, 200 ducks and