Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-22

Arctic wonders heretofore unpic-
tured were flashed upon the screen
Monday night at City Hall. and were
explained by Donald b. Macmillan,
leader of the first expedition into the
arctic to use airplanes extensively
and with any degree of success. In
his opening remarks Commander
Macmillan declared that the airplane
is not a feasible means of exploring
the great icy tracts of the north be-
cause Of the fact that there are no
landing places. He did say, however,
that when dirigibles are more per-
fected than at the present time they
may be used to advantage.
A fine crowd of interested people
from Augusta and surrounding towns
Macmillan with the closest of atten-
followed the talk of Commander
ton, and his address, lacking in sci
entific terms, was Of great general
interest. Eight reels of beautiful
motion pictures, depicting the more
interesting phases of the venture and
showing the great natural forces
which must be overcome by the in
trepid explorer We're thrown upon the
screen and they formed a wonder
fully graphic story of the most re-
markable trip into the Arctic ever
attempted by man.
The opening scenes were of the
great send-off accorded the "Peary
on Bunker Hill day at Boston and
these were followed by pictures, more
interesting TO Maine people. because
they were taken in Wiscasset as the
expedition left that port. Thence up
the coast to Newfoundland, Labra>
dor, Greenland and on up to Etah,
where the main base was to be plac-
ed the e"Bowdoin' and "Peary' pur-
sued their course. Here, contrary TO
the belief of many, is not small
fishing village or n collection of Es-
uuimo huts. TO the contrary there
are but two houses. if they may be
called that, in the town of Etah, and
both of those houses are caves in the
rocks. inhabited at times by the Es-
quimos.
Among the scenes We're Intensely
interesting one of muSk-oX hunts,
seal hunts. Esquimos hunting seals
and walrus in their skin boats, Es-
kimos sweeping birds from the sky
with great dip nets. and many others.
The hunting of the walrus is de-
scribed by Commander Macmillan as
a most dangerous sport, but one
which is necessary for the Eskimos,
as by this hunting in the summer
they provide supplies of meat TO last
them through the long winter night.
The industry of the Eskimos was
shown through their hunting and
| fishing and the sewing of skins by
! the women. Particularly interesting
was scene III which an Eskimo boy
seated in his skin boat. which was
described as 10 inches wide and nine
inches deep, deliberately overturned
the boat, and hung head downward
in the water, then recovered his
balance with a deft motion of his
paddle and resumed his journey.
The difficulties under which the
aviators labored were also shown,
/ and Commander Macmillan declared
that their planes had flown 1000
miles without ever seeing a landing
! place except the one at Etah, which
made it q dangerous proposition at
best. On the final day. when direct
ly over Etah, one of the engines did
stop and the plane was obliged to
glide to a landing. a thing which
would have meant sure death to the
aviators. had it happened on some
of their trips.
Many scenes were shown of the
various types of Eskimos. and of the
many different kinds of animals and
birds which abound in the arctic.
Flashes of the storms which We're
encountered, several beautiful views
of the sea and sunset, and numerous
scenes of icebergs, the glaciers and
the rugged country of the north,
rounded out one of the most in
/ teresting and novel lectures ever
presented in this city.
Commander Macmillan was In
troduced on Monday night by Gov
ernor Ralph O. Brewster, who was
present to bid him God Speed
when he left Wiscassett and was
q gain at WiSCa SSett To welcome the