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Reaching the North Pole was one of the last great expeditionary challenges of the 20th century. Robert Peary transmitted the story of his achievement of reaching the North Pole from the Marconi Station located in Battle Harbour, Labrador. Newspapermen flocked to Battle Harbour to gather in Croucher’s Loft (the third floor of the Salt Store) to witness the press conferences given by Peary. After 10 days in Battle Harbour provisioning and repairing the ship, ‘the Roosevelt’, Commander Peary and Captain Bartlett embarked upon the final leg of their triumphant return to New York City.
Commander Robert Peary and Captain Bob Bartlett were instrumental in the success of the expedition. They were both seasoned Arctic travellers: Peary and Bartlett had sailed the Arctic waters together on several expeditions, gathering experience and knowledge about survival and travel in the Arctic. Robert Peary, an American, was a noted Arctic explorer and expeditionary leader. Bob Bartlett, from Brigus, Newfoundland, was famous as a captain of sealing ships and arctic expeditions.
Captain Bob Bartlett brought ‘the Roosevelt’ to the edge of the Arctic ice in the fall of 1908, within striking distance of the Pole. Expedition members spent the winter sledging supplies from the ship to numerous cache points, exploring the surrounding landmass, and hunting to provision the expedition. By February conditions were ripe for the dash to the Pole. Using dog teams for transport and accompanied by Inuit skilled in Arctic travel and survival, Peary began the land-based journey to the North Pole.
The knowledge acquired from years in the Arctic and the careful preparations in the final months at the edge of the Arctic ice mass culminated in the success of the expedition in reaching the North Pole.
The text of this exhibit is primarily a collection of press releases Peary telegraphed to the New York Times from Battle Harbour. Peary’s account is interspersed with excerpts from other sources. Many of the images have been digitally copied from books published in the early 1900s, some images are privately held, and four maps were created for this project.
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The Arctic expeditions and accomplishments of both Commander Robert E Peary and Captain Robert Bartlett are commemorated in displays at Battle Harbour National Historic
