Polar Pathways: Robert E. Peary's Arctic Expeditions
About the 1905-1906 Expedition
The dream of "capturing" the North Pole was firmly anchored in Peary's mind. This time, backed and funded by the Peary Arctic Club and numerous other organizations, Peary set out again. He left New York with a vessel of his design, a talented crew, and, most importantly, experience. The ship the Roosevelt frozen into the ice, Cape Sheridan served as a home base. In the winter of 1906, Peary's sledging teams set out for the Pole. At this time, other parties were attempting to reach the Pole; also, Peary, weathered by his northern excursions, was getting older. These two factors gnawing at the back of his mind, Peary felt that he needed to reach the Pole quickly. However, a large lead, a ribbon of open water, stopped him and he had to return to the ship. Although he set a new record for "farthest north" at 87 degrees North, Peary was disappointed. Quotes in this section are taken from Nearest the Pole, published in 1907.
