52 THE STORY OF PEARY'S GREAT EXPLOIT 



fessor Donald B. McMillan, of Worcester, Mass. ; Professor George 

 Borup, of Yale University ; Professor Ross G. Marvin, of Yale Uni- 

 versity; Dr. John Scott, surgeon. 



The scientific equipment which Commander Peary took with 

 him on his voyage was said at the time to be the most complete ever 

 taken to the polar regions. It consisted of all the instruments 

 needed in meteorological, astronomical and tidal observations. 



Forty guests of the Peary Arctic Club escorted the ship as far 

 as City Island, and it then proceeded to Oyster Bay, where Mr. 

 Peary had arranged to have President Roosevelt inspect the boat. 

 Just before leaving Commander Peary discussed his journey with 

 the newspaper men. 



"I'll not promise anything before I start," he said, "except that 

 I am going to put into it every bit of energy, moral, mental and 

 physical, that I possess. I feel confident that in any case I shall carry 

 the American flag further north than ever. Unless the unforeseen 

 happens I shall plant the Stars and Stripes at the Pole. If conditions 

 are no worse in the next season than they were during the last 

 voyage I shall hope to accomplish the object of the expedition and 

 return in about fifteen months that is in October, 1909. I am pre- 

 pared, however, for a stay of three years. 



"The attainment of the North and South Poles by American 

 expeditions would be worth to this country many times the few 

 thousands expended just for the closer bond, the deeper patriotism 

 resulting when every one of the hundred millions of us could say, 

 'The Stars and Stripes float at both ends of the earth's axis and the 

 whole earth turns about them/ ' 



All the way to Oyster Bay the vessel got an ovation, and when 

 it reached there President Roosevelt, his wife and family went on 

 board and inspected it. 



"Well, Peary, good-bye, and may you have the best of luck," 

 said President Roosevelt as he gave the explorer's hand a hearty 

 grasp. 



