The Siege and Conquest of the North PoleBryce, George
History
The Siege and Conquest of the North Pole
Bryce, George
Arctic regions; North Pole; Scientific expeditions
Peary had decided that the ship was so badly damaged that it could not
safely remain another winter exposed to the ice. He therefore determined
to return home for repairs, and to sail again for the north during the
following year. At Lady Franklin Bay it was feared that the ship would
have to pass the winter there, but it fortunately managed to get free,
and the voyage was resumed.
At Etah the _Roosevelt_ was beached four days for repairs. Again the
journey was resumed, but severe storms were encountered, and it was not
till 13th October that the vessel reached Hebron, Labrador.
On 6th July 1908 the _Roosevelt_ left New York to carry Commander Peary
and his party once more to the Arctic regions. The necessary repairs to
the ship had not been finished in time for an expedition in 1907.
Sydney, Nova Scotia, was left on 17th July, and Etah on 18th August. The
usual course was taken across Smith Sound to Cape Sabine, and then
northward. Fog and ice were soon encountered, but the _Roosevelt_ slowly
worked her way north as far as Lincoln Bay, where she had to shelter
several days. On 2nd September Cape Union was passed, and on the 5th of
this month the _Roosevelt_ went into winter quarters near Cape
Sheridan—a little north of the position of three years before.
Commander Peary had decided to set out on his final attempt to reach the
Pole from Cape Columbia. The winter was occupied in transporting
supplies to this point.
On 15th February 1909 the first of the sledges left the _Roosevelt_, and
Peary brought up the rear on 22nd February. The total of all divisions
was 7 men of Peary’s party, 59 Eskimo, 140 dogs, and 23 sledges. A start
was made over the ice from Cape Columbia on 1st March. Bartlett had been
sent on ahead to make a trail. From this point the party consisted of 17
Eskimo, 133 dogs, and 19 sledges, in addition to the 7 men in command.
On the first day’s march 10 miles were covered, and on the second the
record made by Markham in 1876 was passed. A wide lake of open water was
encountered on 4th March, and here the party were delayed till the 11th.
A sounding taken here gave 110 fathoms. On the 14th the temperature
registered minus 59° F. The first supporting party was sent back on the
15th in charge of Dr. Goodsell, and on the following day Peary found it
necessary to send back Professor McMillan, who was suffering from a
badly frost-bitten foot. A sounding taken at this camp gave a depth of
825 fathoms, so that the Continental Shelf had now been passed. When
latitude 85° 23′ had been reached, the second supporting party,
commanded by Borup, turned back. The advance party had now been reduced
to 20 men, 10 sledges, and 70 dogs. Leads were frequently met, but good
marches were made daily. The third supporting party returned from
latitude 86° 38′ with Professor Marvin in command. This reduced the
advance division to 9 men, 7 sledges, and 60 dogs. The character of the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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