1904–190–(?)
The Charter of the Peary Arctic Club, April 19, 1904, recites that the objects of the incorporation are “to aid and assist in forming and maintaining certain expeditions to be placed under Commander Robert E. Peary, U. S. N., with the object of continuing his explorations of the Polar Regions and completing the geographical data of the same, receiving and collecting such objects of scientific interest as may be obtainable through such expeditions; collecting, receiving, and preserving narratives and manuscripts relating to Arctic explorations in general; soliciting and administering funds for the maintenance of such expeditions, and, in general, providing funds for Commander Peary’s efforts to reach the farthest northern point on the Western Hemisphere, and to coöperate with any other association for the same purpose,” and names as incorporators:
Morris K. Jesup
Anton A. Raven
Herbert L. Bridgman
John A. Flagler
Henry Parish
Robert E. Peary
Immediately upon incorporation, the Club addressed itself to the construction of a ship for its work, plans for which were designed, based upon the experience of former expeditions of Commander Peary. Contracts were made with the late Captain Charles B. Dix of Bucksport, Me., where her keel was laid October 15, 1904, and the ship launched and christened Roosevelt by Mrs. Peary, March 23, 1905. Installation of machinery at Portland occupied the next two months, and early in July, the Roosevelt arrived under her own steam at New York, whence in July of that year, she was despatched to the North, paying President Jesup of the Club a parting call at Bar Harbour, Me. On arriving at Sydney, C. B., Captain Robert A. Bartlett assumed command and on July 26th she departed for the North. The auxiliary collier Erik accompanied the Roosevelt as far as Etah, whence on August 16, 1905, the Roosevelt began her battle with the ice, and the Erik returned to St. Johns, N. F.
The subsequent movements of the Club’s expedition are contained in the preceding pages.
The list of the contributors to the present Peary Arctic Club is as follows:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Archer, George A.
Bellows, H. M.
Bement, L. C.
Benedict, H. H.
Benjamin, Julian A.
Berri, William
Bourne, F. G.
Bridgman, Herbert L.
Brockway, R. M.
Bryant, Henry G.
Cannon, H. W.
Chamberlain, Leander
Cheney, Mrs. Charles P.
Church, Alfred W.
Clapp, Henry Lyman
Clarkson, Banyer
Close, Frances H.
Colgate, Jas. C.
Coolidge, J. R.
Crane, Zenas
Crocker, George
Delafield, L. L.
Dodge, Cleveland H.
Doughty, Ella
Drexel, Mrs. Joseph
Ford, Simeon
Geographical Society, American
Gilder, R. W.
Heilprin, A.
Hobson, Richmond P.
Holbrook, L.
Hubbard, Thomas H.
Huntington, A. M.
Huyler, John S.
Jesup, Mrs. Morris K.
Jesup, Morris K.
Jones, Walter R. T.
Kerr, W.
Kimball, A. R.
Kinnicutt, Dr. and Mrs.
Kleybolte, Rudolph
Knapp, Dr. Herman
Low, William G.
Merrill, Fullerton
Mitchell, S. Weir
Moss, Charles H.
Noyes, Henry T., Jr.
Parish, Henry
Parsons, John E.
Perkins, W. H.
Phillips, Dr. John C.
Pyne, M. Taylor
Rae, Samuel
Raven, Anton A.
Reynolds, Edward C.
Robbins, Chandler
Robbins, Harriet L.
Schieren, Charles A.
Schiff, Jacob H.
Schiff, Mortimer L.
Schott, C. M., Jr.
Smith, J. H.
Squires, Grant
Torrance, H.
Trevor, John S.
Upton, Frank S.
Vaill, D. L.
Van Post, H. C.
Victor, J. A.
Wallace, D. H.
Ward, Joseph M.
Williams, G. A.
H. L. Bridgman, Secretary and Treasurer,
Peary Arctic Club.