Polar Pathways: Robert E. Peary's Arctic Expeditions
1908- Crowds of Well-Wishers
A crowd of well-wishers waves good-bye to the Roosevelt.
“As we steamed up the river the din grew louder and louder, the whistles of the power-houses and the factories adding their salutations to the tooting of the river craft. At Blackwell’s Island many of the inmates were out in force to wave us their good-bys, and their farewells were not the less appreciated because given by men whom society had placed under restrain for society’s good. Anyhow, they wished us well. I hope they are all enjoying their liberty now, and, what is better, deserving it. Near Fort Totten we passed President Roosevelt’s naval yacht, the Mayflower, and her small gun roared out a parting salute, while the officers and men waved and cheered. Surely no ship ever started for the end of the earth with more heart-stirring farewells than those which followed the Roosevelt." – Robert E. Peary in The North Pole, published in 1910
"Crowd on pier at departure of S.S. Roosevelt" 1908, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum Collections
