The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-12
PEARY'S SHIP FAST ON ROCK Fishing Steamer Men Bring News. DELAYS RETURN MANY DAYS Commander Certain That He Found
 the Pole. Menbers ef Crew rireA After Mem erabIe Trip-Eneounterea Biis-
 sards aaa Were Forced.
 to Eat Doss.
DELAYS RETURN MANY DAYS

St. Johns. Sept. 1i.---Accordinr to Captain Nefisen, of the fishing steam CT Taff. which arrived here tonight from Battle Harbor, Labrador. Con- mander Peary's steamer Roosevelt was badly damaged by ice in the north seas. and may not get to North Syd- ney before September 25. The Roose- welt struck rock while entering Bat tie Harbor and was fast for six hours, but was not seriously damaged by this accident.
 The Taff was at Battle Harbor last Wednesday when the Roosevelt arriv- supply of coal and also to give Com mander Peary an opportunity to send a detail of his far northern trip to the United States.
 Captain Neilsen says that the Roos- evelt encountered a fishing schooner at anchor in the channel and that in attempting to feel her way by, the steamer struck rock and was held firm until the rising tide enabled Captain Bartlett to back off The steamer was not badly damaged but her hull was battered
 Captain Neiisen went aboard to of- fer his assistance but Commander Peary and Captain Bartlett decided that they would be able to work the steamer free at high water.
 Captain Nielsen says that Command CT Peary and Captain Bartlett told him that the pole had been reached. he was certain he had found the pole, the commander declared:
 ooh, Got There.~
 "oh. I got there; you may rest as- sured of that"
 When the commander of the Taff asked Peary what he thought of pr. Cooks claims Peary replied that Cooks Eskimos had assured him that Cook scarcely went out of sight of land.
 Captain Nelson further said that cakum was dropping from the Roose- velt's seams when she reached Battle IIarbor. He also said that when he left Battie Harbor yesterday 1t was the intention of Peary and Bartlett tt run the fkoossvsIt to Assize Harbor where she would remain for ten oi not be hampered in their work oi |oyefhauiing and repairing by stormy
 The members 10 the crew of the Roosevelt are we'll but look thin and tired and. according to Captain Niel- son. the most worn looking member of the expedition is Peary himself NAolbon was inLOrInen that the Peary party underwent severe hardships in their night and day marches during the final stages of the dash to the pole. ei
 The expedition encountered biiz- zarda and. according to Captain Niei- sen was obliged to kill dogs for food. The party journeyei over 400 miles on siedEes over fair ice conditions al. though at one time Peary and several of his men had narrow escape from being carried away by break up of an ice floe.
 Captain Nielsen said that the rig ging of the Roosevelt presented cu- rious sight. About forty musk OK heads and heads of reindeer were suspended to dry. On the deck are twelve dogs, the last of nearly 200 taken poleward. Above the deck house are kennels containing foxes and oth- CT animals which Commander Peary is taking to the United States. In the hold of the vessel is a large supply of skins and furs. a number of Eskimo skeletons and bones of strange ani- mals.