Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-09-02
A PROLONGED FIGHT
WITH FAMINE AND FROST.
Signed Statement from Dr.. Cook on
His Experiences-Land on Which
Rests the Earth's Northernmost
Rocks.


Paris, Sept. 2.-The Paris edition of
the New York Herald this morning
publishes signed statement from DR.
Frederick A. Cook which is dated
Hans Edge, Lerwick, Wednesday" on
his experiences in the Arctic regions.
After prolonged fight with famine
and frost" says DR.. Good, 1--WE have
at last succeeded in reaching the north
pole. A great highway with an inter-
esting strip of animated nature has
been explored and big game haunts To-
Gated, which will delight sportsmen
and extend the Eskimo horizon.
Land Discovered.
Land has been discovered on which
rest the earth's northernmost rocks. A
triangle of 10000 square miles has been
cut out IF the terrestrial unknown. The
expedition was the outcome of a sum-
ner cruise in the Arctic seas on the
schooner Bradley, which arrived at the
limits of navigation in Smith Sound
late in August, 1907. Here conditions
were found to launch venture to
the pole. J. r. Brardley literally sup
piled from his vessel suitable provis-
ions for local use. MY cwn equipment
for emergencies served well for every
purpose in the Arctic travel
A Lucky Combination.
Many tsiS mos had gathered on
the Greenland shores at Annatoak for
the winter bear hunt. Immense guam
titles of meat had been collected and
about the camp Were plenty of strong
dogs. The combination was lucky,
for there as good material for equip
ment All that was required was con-
veniently arranged for at a point only
700 miles from the boreal center. A
house and workship were built of pack
ing boxes by willing hands, and this
northernmost tribe Of $50 people set
themselves tc the problem Of dovising
suitable outfit. Before the end of
the long winter night we were ready
for the enterprise and plans had ma
tured to force new route over Grin
nell Land northward along its west
coast out onto the polar sea.
Winters Chill Felt at Its Worst.
"The campaign opened with a few
scouting parties being sent over the
American shores to explore the way
and Seek the game hnunts This mis-
sion was only partly successful be-
cause of the storms. At sunrise of
1908 (February y the main expedition
embarked on its voyage to the pole. 1t
consisted of II men and 103 dogs
drawing IL heavily laden sledges The
expedition left the Greenland shore
and pushed westward over the troubled
ice of Smith Sound. The gloom of the
long night was relieved only by a few
hours OF daylight. The chill of the
winter was felt at it's worst AS we
crossed the heights of Ellesmere
Sound to the Pacific slope the tenn
perature sank to minus SO centigrade.
Several dogs were frozen and the men
suffered severely, but We soon found
the game trails, along which way was
easy.
Pushed Out Into Polar Sea.
We forced through Nansen sound
to Lands End. In this march we
secured 101 musk oxen, seven bears
and 3S5 hares. We pushed out into
the polar sea from the southern point
of Herbert Island on March 49, Six
Eskimos returned from here. With
four men and forty-si dogs moving
supplies for eighty days the crossing
of the circumpolar pack was begun.
Three days later two other Eskimos,
forming the last surrounding party. re-
turned and the trials had nov been
reduced by the survival of the fttest.
The two best men and 26 dogs were
picked for the final effort.
Start on Unknown Line of AGO Miles.
There before us in an unknown line
of 460 miles lay our goal The first
days provided long marches and we
made encouraging progress. A big
lead which separated the landing ice
of the central pack was crossed with
little delay. The low temperature was
persistent and the winds made life
terurs. Bat coeped uQ In our snow