New-York tribune., 1909-09-10
DEATH OF ROSS MARVIN
MOURNING IN ELMIRA.
Mr. Bridgn,an Comments ON De-
tails of Peary's Trip.

New Glasgow, N. s.. Sept. 9.-Herbert L.
Bridgrnan was shocked when he learned of the
death by drowning of Professor Ross G. Mar
win, one Of the members Of the Peary expedi-
ton. Mr. Bridgman supposes that Professor
Marvin fell through lead in the ice near the
sSth parallel while out with supporting
party under his command Professor Marvin
Mr. Bridgman added was entitled to the high
est praise for his work. He did not decide to
go north until the last moment. He was skilled
in the of instruments.
Professor Marvin is the only man who has
perished on any OF the Peary Arctic expedi-
tons. with the exception of John G.. Verho-
weff, scientist, of Louisville. who was a mem
ber of the first expedition. in 1891 Verhoweff
alone, explored glacier near McCormck's Bay
and was lost, trace of him ever having been
found
Professor Marvin's special work was topog
raphy and map making. He probably had no
knowledge of Peary's success as he met his
death only four days after the pole was dis
covered. before Peary could have returned to
his supporting party. Mr.. Bridgman to-day
sent the following telegram to Mrs Marvin. ,
Accept the sincere sympathy of the Peary
Arctic Club in the loss Of a noble son. whose
sacrifice Of life TO duty will be forgotten
Mr.. Bridgman said to-day that If Commander
Peary had seen land he would have men
toned IT. Other expeditions to the pole, Mr.
Bridgman thought, would follow the route which
Commander Peary travelled.
The reports thus far received. Mr.. Bridgman
continued bear out thoroughly Commander
Peary's predictions and plans and seem to jus
tify all his deductions from his former expedi-
tions. He apparently met more open water
going north than he did on previous trips. He
seems to have been detained by open leads. but
he DrObahlV had On tha
trip he travelled light. There was no support
ing party. the supplies were pretty well ex-
hausted and he doubtless found II necessary to
move at top speed
Mr.. Bridgman said that there were not moro
than three white men in all at the pole. These
were Commander Peary and possibly Donald
Mcmillan, OF Worcester, Mass, or George Barup.
OF the Sheffield Scientific School Matthew Hen
son. Peary's colored companion, also probably
was at the pole
Continuing his comment the Peary achieve
ment, Mr.. Bridgman said that the commanders
very good time in the Far North was strong con-
frmation of the details of Dr. Cooks story as
well as of Peary's theory regarding the move
ment or currents. The latest facts disprcved
the popular belief that because it was difficult
TO get from the 18th to the saith parallel it was
necessarily more difficult to travel from the
s4th 10 the soth parallel. There would seem to
be no question that the drift above the S4th
parallel was not great as below it,
Eln1irs, n. L, Sept 81. c. Bernent Of ithaca
a member Of the Peary relief expedition OF 1901.
received the following message last night from
Battle Harbor:
Break news OF Marvins death to his mother i'm
n1ediately, before she II IN the papers
Drowned April 10. forty-1ve miles north Of t'ape
Columbia while returning from $50 north latitude
Great loss 70 me and TO the expedition. Every
member sends deepest sympathy. PEARY.
Through friends this city the message was
conveyed 20 Mr. Marvn's aged mother who II
feared might not survive the great shock.
Yesterday a movement started give Mr..
Marvin great welcome his return from the
north
Ross Marvin wes born January & 1880. He
was one Of Elmira's most prominent young men
and had brilliant future in prospect. He
graduated from the high school here.
scholarship at Cornell University and worked his
way through college, standing high in all his
studies in the science He applied to Peary
for post the le05-05 Peary expedition, and
proved OF such great service 10 the commander
that the latter sought him and induced him to
with him the trip from which the explorer
Is returning To accept the opportunity Mr..
Marvin got q leave of absence from Cornell Uni
versty, where he a member of the faculty.
He first assistant to Peary.
Plans under way for A public memorial ser
srce FcNEz # r1e urclC