AT THE NORTH POLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 5

AT THE NORTH POLE.

PEARY'S EXPERIENCE RECALLED. TEMPERATURES COMPARED. The following is a brief outline of tho discovery of the North Polo by Commander l'enry.—T'lic expedition, which sailed north in tho Roosevelt in 19us>, wintered at Capo Sheridan, which was reached on September o, 190b. Depots wero formed nt various points between Capes Cohm aud Columbia, on the north of Grant Land, 'and tidal meteorological observations were carried on during the winter. On March 1 the expedition, consisting of 7 members, 17 Eskimos, 133 dogs, and 19 sledges, set out from Cape Columbia. It was divided into sections, following ia succession. Captain Bartlett led the pioneer division. From March ito 11 they stopped by open water. On March 1G n sounding of 825 fathoms showed that tho continental shelf had been passed. Beyond 86 degrees 33min. a thick layer of snow made progress difficult for a time. Ono night, when encamped near open water, tho ice began to break up, and they escaped with difficulty. In latitude 87 degrees 48 minutes, all the other divisions having previously returned, Captain Bartlett, the only white man left, who had borne the brunt-of tho pioneering work, was sent back, although anxious to continue. This was about April 1. Commander Peary, now with only his negro servant, Henson, and 4 Eskimos, determined to make all possible speed forward. Alter five forced marches an observation taken on April 6 gavo the position as 89 degrees 57 minutes. On the same day the Pole was reached. Flags wero planted, records deposited, photographs taken, and on April 7 tho party started southward. On the return journey fewer difficulties wero encountered, and Cape Columbia was Teached on April 23. Here a two days' halt was made. ' Two moro marches brought the party to tho Roosevelt, where Commander Peary learned that one menfljer of the expedition, Mr. Marvin, had been drowned on his return journey. Tho Roosevelt left on July 18, arriving at Indian Harbour on September 6. In his account Peary said:—"The thirty hours passed at the Polo were spent in observations, in going some tea miles beyond the camp, and some eight miles to the right of it, taking photographs, planting iny flags, depositing records, studying the horizon with my telescopes for possible land, and searching for a practicable place to mako a sounding. Ten hours after our arrival the clouds cleared before a light breeze from the left, and from that time until our departure in tho afternoon of tho 7th the weather was cloudless and (lawless. The 'minimum' temperature during the 30 hours was 'minus' 33, and tho 'maximum' minus 12."