ARCTIC EXPLORER’S ESCAPE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2084, 20 May 1907, Page 1

ARCTIC EXPLORER’S ESCAPE

PEARY DESCRIBES A PERILOUS ICE JOURNEY, few. minutes in time and a few of ice space were the narrow margin by which Commander Robert E. Peary and some of his men escaped a watery grave in the Concluding stages of the Peary Arctic Club’s 1905-6: expedition "nearest the North Pole.’’ 7 7 With Eskimos and dogs the commander was making a painful way over ice, and in the face cjf win’d' and snow "that cut like red-hot needles.” After an exhausting march they came to “the big lead” —a broad, black band of water stretching east

and west sis far as eye could reach. On tho distant southern side of it lay tho only way to their ship Ropsevolt, home, and life itself. For live days the party travelled eastward on floating ice searching for a crossing.. Tho dogs dwindled away and sledges wore broken up for firewood to cook them. On the fifth day

two Eskimos reported a patch of young ice extending clear across the lead.

AVhat followed is described by Commandor Peary in tho March Harper’s Monthly: “Each man tied on his snow-shoes with the utmost care, and then in widely extended skirmish-line and in absolute silence we began tho crossing. Each of us was busy with his thoughts and intent with his snowshoes, which 'could not bo lifted from the ice, and slightest unsteadiness or stumble would have meant his finish.

“The. thin film crusting tho black water bent and yielded beneath us at every step, sending widening undulations from every man. I do not care for a similar experience. At last those interminable miles came to an end, and wo stopped upon the firm ice of the southern side. . . As we turned our backs to the lead a line of black water cut the frail bridge upon which we had crossed.” Their troubles, however, wero wot over. From the lead southward, say’s the explorer, “there stretched such a hell of shattered icei as I hope never to see again. . . We hewed our way through. . . ice in size from a paving-stone to the- dome of the Capitol.”

On May 12 the party reached the Greenland coast at Cape Noumeyer, and in due course rejoined the Roosevelt.

Another expedition, profiting by his experience, says, Commander Peary, will bo able to reach the Poll. ! Only 174 miles now remain to fie conquered.