New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-06

The first authentic account Of the
trials and achievements Of the CROKER
Land expedition. which Donald B. Mac
MILAN led into the frozen North more
than four years ago, came yesterday
in a cabled story of the expeditions
work sent by Mr.. Macmillan to the
American Museum of Natural History.
The story written by the explorer
at Etah. the expeditions base on the
northwest coast of Greenland, was car
ried bv Surgeon Harrison j. Hunt IN.
his 1.5OO-mile dash over the treacher-
Gus ice Of Melville Bay to Holsten-
berg and thence by steamer TO Copen-
hagen. The American Minister at the
Danish capital cabled the message TO
the museum through the courtesy OF
the State Department at Washington:
Although the expedition failed n ITS
prime object-to explore the vast con
tinent" sighted by Rear Admiral Rob
crt +. Peary in 1906 and known as
Croker Land-it has definitely estab-
Eshed the fact no such land exists at
1892 longitude, east. and latitude
$3.50. The expedition is of the belief
that Peary was misled by mirage.
Explored Finlay Land
One OF the most important achieve
ments of the Macmillan party was the
careful exploration of Finlay Land,
the King Christian Island of Sverdrup,
which was sighted in 1858 by survivors
of Sir John Franklin's last Polar ex-
pedition. but which never had been
visited by man until Macmillan set
foot upon it,
The Macmillan party left New York
on July .. 1913, on the sealer Diana.
From the start the expedition was un-
fortunate. Within a month the Diana
was wrecked on the rocks off Barge
Point. Labrador, and the whole party
with supplies were transferred 70 the
steam sealor Erik. On July 81 a start
was again made for the North. After
numerous hardships and adventures the
party reached Cape York, and several
months later established itself at
Etah.
Early in 1915 word reached here that
Macmillan had made a journey into
Ellesmere Land as far north as Cape
Thomas Hubbard. but had failed to find
Croker Land. Nothing more was heard
from the party for many months. In
the summer of 1915 the George B.
Cluett expedition, led by DR.. Edmund
Otis Hovey, left TO carry aid TO Mac
MILAN. The Cluett was trapped in the
ice of Melville Bay. Hovey finally con-
trived to reach four members Of Mac
Milans party, and in January, 1916,
lacking provisions, started back over
the ice in an effort TO send word for
another ship.
Relief Ship Sent
Ensign Fitzhugh Green and DR.. Hovey
reached civilization. and in response to
their appeal the Danmark was dis
patched TO Etah. She is now stuck in
the ice of North Star Bay.
Macmillan in his cable says he and
his party are comfortable for the pres
ent and provisioned until August, 1917.
After that they will have TO live like
Esauimaus--an igloo for shelter, skins
for clothing and meat for food-unless
n relief ship at last is successful in
reaching them. The Neptune. a new
vessel, is fitting 10 sail for Etah. II
all goes well she would reach the ma
rooned explorers before August.
Food Till August
MacMillan's cable, describing his
movements since he last reported them
early in 1915, follows:
All we'll at Etah headquarters,
Croker Land expedition. Relief ships
of 1915 and 1916 failed 20 reach u.
Dr. Hovey and Captain George Conner
(the ice pilot) arrived by power boat
from North Star Bay in September.
Will spend the year with Us. Hunt
and Ekblaw proceeding home by way
Of South Greenland and Copenhagen.
(Ekblaw was unable 10 continue trip
10 Holstenberg and is now at God
havn, Greenland). Have good. warm
house. plenty Of fuel and adequate