APPENDIX III
Report of the sub-committee of the National Geographic Society on Peary's Records, and Some of the Honors Awarded for the Attainment of the Pole.
The Board of Managers of the National Geographic Society at a meeting held at Hubbard Memorial Hall, November 4, 1909, received the following report:
"The sub-committee to which was referred the task of examining the records of Commander Peary in evidence of his having reached the North Pole, beg to report that they have completed their task.
"Commander Peary has submitted to his sub-committee his original journal and record of observations, together with all his instruments and apparatus, and certain of the most important of the scientific results of his expedition. These have been carefully examined by your sub-committee, and they are unanimously of the opinion that Commander Peary reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909.
"They also feel warranted in stating that the organization, planning, and management of the expedition, its complete success, and its scientific results, reflect the greatest credit on the ability of Commander Robert E. Peary, and render him worthy of the highest honors that the National Geographic Society can bestow upon him."
(Signed) Henry Gannett.[11]
C. M. Chester.[12]
O. H. Tittmann.[13]
The foregoing report was unanimously approved.
Immediately after this action the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, Commander Robert E. Peary has reached the North Pole, the goal sought for centuries; and
"Whereas, this is the greatest geographical achievement that this society can have opportunity to honor: Therefore
"Resolved, that a special medal be awarded to Commander Peary."
Among the home and foreign honors awarded for the attainment of the pole are the following:
| The Special Great Gold Medal of the National Geographic Society of Washington. |
| The Special Gold Medal of the Philadelphia Geographical Society. |
| The Helen Culver Medal of the Chicago Geographical Society. |
| The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Bowdoin College. |
| The Special Great Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. |
| The Nachtigall Gold Medal of the Imperial German Geographical Society. |
| The King Humbert Gold Medal of the Royal Italian Geographical Society. |
| The Hauer Medal of the Imperial Austrian Geographical Society. |
| The Gold Medal of the Hungarian Geographical Society. |
| The Gold Medal of the Royal Belgian Geographical Society. |
| The Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society of Antwerp.[14] |
| A Special Trophy from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society—a replica in silver of the ships used by Hudson, Baffin, and Davis. |
| The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the Edinburgh University. |
| Honorary Membership in the Manchester Geographical Society. |
| Honorary Membership in the Royal Netherlands Geographical Society of Amsterdam. |
THE SPECIAL GREAT GOLD MEDAL OF
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
(This medal is four inches in diameter)
THE SPECIAL GREAT GOLD MEDAL OF
THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. (ACTUAL SIZE)
(Designed by the wife of Captain Robert F. Scott, R. N., Leader of the British South Polar Expeditions of 1901-1904 and 1910-1912)