New-York tribune., 1913-07-20
MACMILLAN SAYS HE'LL
TRY ANOTHER STEAMER
Continued from first page.

steamer Eric. vessel OF the same type
as the Diana. but larger, was being put
ir. readiness 10 sail to her relief, and in
all likelihood would convey the explorers
beyond the Arctic Circle.
The Eric Is a former Hudson Bay Trad.
ing Company boat, and came into public
notice in 1901 when IT was sent to the
relief Of Robert f. Peary. after one OF
his early unsuccessful dashes for the
North Pole. When word was received that
Pcary was headed for lower lattudes. and
required relief before he could proceed
northward again, the Eric was chartered
at ST. Johns. y. F.. by the Peary
Arctic Club, and placed I'm command Of
Herbert l.. Bridgman. OF Brooklyn, an
explorer and official OF the club.
The little steamer was loaded with sup
plies and a fat sack OF mail for the eX-
plorers and sailed TO Cape Sabine. where
IT met the Peary expedition. Mrs Peary,
who had accompanied the expedition into
the ice fields. returned south on the Eric
t. await the outcome OF her husbands
next exploit
When Peary returned. two years later
without having reached the North Pole
he again chartered the Eric, and while
the Roosevelt. which was to convey the
successful expedition, was building. the
Eric sailed about Greenland waters. pick
ing up dogs and equipment for the trip.
when the Roosevelt arrived the Eric was
relieved Of her cargo. Later the Roose-
welt put into Etah to await a cargo OF
coal and again the Eric was sent TO the
assistance of the expedition.
The Eric which probably is now 10 con-
vey the Macmillan expedition to Crocker
Land. is of l2i tons burden. about 100 feet
in length and OF 27-foot beam. In 1890 the
vessel was built at St Johns for the Iud-
son Bay Trading Company, and after a
number OF years OF service was sold at
London 10 Captain rarquhar. Of St
Johns. II was his intention 10 sell the
Eric. which is now at 81. Johns. can be
while he was negotiating there came the
urgent cry from Pcary. and the little
steamer was chartered to the Peary Arc
tic club
The Eric is a larger boat than the
Diana" Mr. Bridgeman. who commanded
her In 1901. said last night. and may be
well adapted 10 the needs OF the eXpedl-
ton. She Is not as fast as the stranded
ship"
Mr. Bridgeman. who also commanded
the Diana at one time during Peary's ex-
petitions. added that while the two steam
crs were very much alike IN appearance
their sailing qualities varied greatly.
According TO a message received yester-
day by DR. T.. O. Hoycy. OF the Museum
Of Natural History. Macmillan declared
the weather conditions were favorable
and expressed no fears Of the present de-
lay having any serious effect on the eX-
petitions reaching the point In Flagler
Bay where the oupit intends ~ camp for
the winter.
IL viii be at least a week before the
Eric. which Is now at ST Johns. can be
put into shape. and another period of the
same duration viii probably ciapsc before
the transfer OF the supplies and equip
ment The tWO-week setback IS not cause
IUI HOltt uu tuv part 90! tine museum Of
ncIals. however. as Mac MILAN sailed ear
ieT than Was necessary. Had the dCCl-
dcut occurred some time later. while the
snip was In the Belle Isle Straits. % prob
ABLY would have meant a year delay. Tor
~ then would have been too late 900 the
season for the expedition 10 sail even so
Tar north as Payer HarbOr Pcary's old
headquarters. Win even "a delay OF two
Wccks 10 Ir estimated that the Eric viii
be able 10 push her way 10 the objective
point before the ice closes the waters
They will not have too great margin
OF time" Or HOycy said last night Out
II the delay Is not more tuau TWO weeks
the expedition should D." able 10 reach
their proposed camping ground on ume.