Polar Pathways: Robert E. Peary's Arctic Expeditions
The North Pole - The Record of the Journey
"Then, in a space between the ice blocks of a pressure ridge, I
deposited a glass bottle containing a diagonal strip of my flag and records
of which the following is a copy:
90 N. Lat., North Pole,
April 6, 1909.
Arrived here to-day, 27 marches from C. Columbia.
I have with me 5 men, Matthew Henson, colored, Ootah, Egingwah, Seegloo,
and Ookeah, Eskimos; 5 sledges and 38 dogs. My ship, the S. S. Roosevelt,
is in winter quarters at C. Sheridan, 90 miles east of Columbia.
The expedition under my command which has succeeded in reaching the Pole
is under the auspices of the Peary Arctic Club of New York City, and has
been fitted out and sent north by the members and[297] friends of the club
for the purpose of securing this geographical prize, if possible, for the
honor and prestige of the United States of America.
The officers of the club are Thomas H. Hubbard, of New York, President;
Zenas Crane, of Mass., Vice-president; Herbert L. Bridgman, of New York,
Secretary and Treasurer.
I start back for Cape Columbia to-morrow.
Robert E. Peary,
United States Navy.
90 N. Lat., North Pole,
April 6,
1909.
I have to-day hoisted the national ensign of the United States of America
at this place, which my observations indicate to be the North Polar axis
of the earth, and have formally taken possession of the entire region,
and adjacent, for and in the name of the President of the United States
of America.
I leave this record and United States flag in possession.
Robert E. Peary,
United States Navy."
- Robert E. Peary in The North Pole, published in 1910
