Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-20
CAPT. ROBINSON
TELLS OF TRIP
WITH MACMILLAN

The story of the 1925 trip into the
Arctic of Captain Donald b. Mac
MILAN and his crew was told in the
most graphic manner possible by the
personal observations and splendid
photographs of the Northern coun-
try presented by Captain Ralph p.
Robinson, one of the most valued
members of that expedition at the
Gardiner High school auditorium
last evening. Captain Robinson was
introduced by Mayor Donald S. Nc
Naughton and was enthusiastically
greeted by large audience. In pre-
facing his talk he told of some of the
early explorations in the Arctic. Cap
tain Mcmillan went on his first trip
in the year 1913, the expedition be-
ing under the auspices of the Amer
lean Museum of Natural History.
Although many in his audience had
read accounts of the equipment of
the <Bowdoin" and the "Peary", Cap
tain Robinsons detailed account was
naturally much more explicit. He
explained the necessity of having
each item cared for carefully in ad-
vance, also the need for strong re-
Inducements to the construction of
the two ships. 1.-THE "Peary" carried
members Of the crew who were de-
tailed to look after this part of the
expedition. Captain Macmillan, his
crew, and the scientific members of
the party who went to the North to
secure valuable data made up the
personnel of the Bowdoin. Captain
Robinson declared that thee demon
stration to the world of the value of
the short wave length in radio COM
munication was well worth the dan
gerous trip to the North. the party
being in almost daily touch with the
outside world.
The pictures were for many the
feature of the evening, these were
all beautifully colored, AMI noun
tains and glaciers that seemed to be
directly in the background were
sometimes twenty miles away, the
speaker declared. With the aid Of a
large map flashed upon the screen he
traced the course of the expedition
from Wiscasset, the starting point,
to Etah, the base. The speakers dry
humor- added much to the interest Of
his observations concerning the Es-
kimo. He declared them to be the
most hospitable people in the world,
and his descriptions and the pictures
helped give new knowledge and
understanding of their methods of
living. The children are naturally
bright, and learn very quickly, al
though they have no opportunities
their natural talent is evident in
drawing and music, and while at a
tender age they manifest the char
acteristics that the Eskimo must
have in order to live in the cold
country. They are very ready to
trade, and as is generally known will
offer valuable furs, and skins in ex-
change for the simplest articles from
America.
In the course Of his talk Captain
Robinson paid high tribute to DIR.
Wilfred Grenfell, and the wonderful
work being done by him in the Lab
rador. This was of particular inter-
est to the local audience as several
Gardiner girls served as nurses there
a few years ago. He also spoke high
ly of the work being done by the
missionaries in changing some of the
habits of the people of that country.
The pictures of the icebergs that he
showed were especially good, many
beautiful formations being noted.
The animal and bird pictures secur-N
~ "SAO eeioo FdludDlS, ana VI course
those of the natives of the country
were entertaining.
The arrangements for the lecture
were in charge of the Student Coun-
Gil of the High School and the pub
lie service committee of that organ
ization attended to the detail of tic
kets and ushering. Both the speaker
and Mayor McNaughton PRAISED the
work of the High School orchestra
which has received much deserved
compliments upon their work this
year. Reservations were made for a
large number of patrons and patron
esses without whom the affair would
have been imnossihle