At early dawn of November 23d the Roosevelt steamed into Sydney harbour and dropped anchor, over four months and a half from Cape Sheridan.
This homeward voyage was the most wearing and annoying part of the entire expedition, compensated for, in part at least, by the return of every member of the expedition in as good or better condition than at starting and the return of the ship with injuries of but a temporary nature.
From Sydney, the ship as the weather permitted crept down the coast arriving in New York Harbour Christmas Eve.
OOBLOOYAH
Young Eskimo man of about twenty-three
A GROUP OF ESKIMO WOMEN
The relations of the personnel of the party were particularly happy. Personally, I never spent a year in the Arctic regions so entirely free from the petty annoyances and friction which are usually a most disagreeable feature of an Arctic expedition. Captain Bartlett proved himself invaluable and was unsparing of himself in his efforts for the success of the expedition and the safety of the Roosevelt. Chief Engineer Wardwell, from the time of the failure of our water-tube boilers, two days out from Sydney, had a particularly trying and difficult time, and found the fullest scope for all his ingenuity and resources.
Dr. Wolf looked after the health of the expedition with unremitting care and skill and there was no serious illness. The Doctor also did his full share of the spring sledge work.
Mr. Marvin, while on board ship and during the winter hunting in the interior and throughout the spring and summer sledging campaigns assumed his full share of the work. Henson, and Percy, my steward, tried in years of Arctic experience, again proved their worth.