New-York tribune., 1909-09-18
PEARF TO SAIL TO-DAY.
Commander GiUes Further Details of
Trip to Pole.

Battle Harbor. Labrador. Sept. IL (via Mar
conf wireless to Cape Ray)--After week of
rest for the crew of the steamer Roosevelt. on
board of which Commander Robert E. Peary is
making his way south. there was hustle and
tivity on all sides the men put the finishing
touches 10 the vessel preparatory to the start
for Sydney.
Commander Peary has had busy day. At o
o'clock this morning he received Captain Dick
son Of the Canadian government steamer
! Tyrian. and half an hour later he welcomed the
newspaper correspondents who came up to Bat
tie Harbor the Tyrian. One of the first
I. things he did was to go to the quarterback of
the Roosevelt and face a battery of cameras
When the pictures had been taken Commander
! Peary and the correspondents went ashore to
the loft of fish house on the wharf. where the
explorer became the target for a broadside of
questions Peary sat with his back TO the single
window in the gable end of the attic. and the
newspaper men were grouped in front Of him.
Some of them mounted piles of fish nets.
others were seated on barrels and a number
squatted on The floor. In addition the crews OF
the steamers and sailing vessels in port the
local merchants and fishermen and a gathering
of small boys filled the rude hall and listened 10
what might be termed Commander Peary's first
public lecture since his return from the pole.
This gathering at Battle Harbor. fishing port
on the coast of Labrador. which before the ar
rival of Commander Peary was practically un-
known to the world at large. was called the
first class in North Pole geography"
In explaining Tn the newspaper men what he
considered TO he the scientific value OF polar ex-
ploration. Commander Peary said he had taken
soundings OF the sea from Cape Sheridan to the
pole which supplemented the similar data taken
on the other side BY Nansen and Cagni He
said that North Polar exploration was much
mn ~,
tic. In the Arctic the work must all be done in
ono season. while the South Pole eventually
would he reached by several seasons Of work
II being possible for exploring parties to push
forward and hold the ground covered. instead of
turning back 20 winter quarters or the limits of
civilization
Commander Peary described the celebration
~ Christmas Day. the Fourth Of July Thanks
giving Day and 81. Patrick's Day in the Far
North. on Christmas they had special din
ner and a distribution of presents which had
been taken with them. These included a
box ~ gifts from Sir William McGregor then
the Governor Of Newfoundland. and boxes Of
candy from Mrs. Peary. There were also run
ming races for the members of the party and
Esqumau men and women. for which prizes
were given The distance was seventy-fvs
Yards. The long Arctic night prevailed at this
time and the course was marked by striuG
of lanterns from the Roosevelt
Describing the flags which he had raised al tn.
pole. Commander Peary made particular men
tion of the silk American flag given 20 him BY
his wife fifteen years ago. which he had carried
on every one OF his Arctic expeditions leaving 4
part at the most northerly point attained The
remnant Of this flag raised az the pole consisted
OF one star and section OF the blue field and Z
part OF the red and white stripes
Al noon to-day Commander Peary returned
the visit of the captain OF the Tyrtsn
! Halifax. Sept IA dispatch received here to-
! night from Commander Peary at Battle Harbor
says that he will leave Battle Harbor tomorrow