Douglas R. Davies, Navigation Report, Robert E. Peary, North Pole

Boston American Article on Henson (1910)

RE: http://www.matthewhenson.com/bostonamerican.htm

As to the argument that Peary, but not Henson, reached the Pole, one cannot say with any certainty that Peary's criss-crossing got him any closer to the Pole than Henson got staying at Camp Jesup.

At best, he got 2 or 3 miles closer. It is unlikely that either one stepped on the very point. Peary probably wanted to get credit for getting closer, but the reality is that, as a team, they succeeded.

The Boston American article I have is a very poor copy that Dennis Rawlins was handing out at a press conference that my father gave. Rawlins focuses on the fact that Peary seemed out of sorts after reaching the Pole. Henson attributed this to Henson's having gone ahead virtually to the Pole. Dennis, obviously in a better position to evaluate Peary's mood than Henson was, concluded that the reason for Peary's mood was guilt over being forced into faking an attainment of the Pole.

I find it presumptuous and condescending on the part of latter day writers to "straighten out" Henson's confused view of the facts. Another example - Henson says they covered the distance to the Pole. Rawlins states that Henson only formed this belief after Peary announced the goal was attained and that he succumbed to the power of suggestion - "surely his weary bones told him they had covered the distance." Rawlins overlooks the statement in the Boston American article to the effect that the "night" before reaching the Pole, everyone figured they were within striking distance for the next day.

I think the article provides excellent support for Peary's version of the facts. Almost every statement in it can be tied to photographic evidence and or Peary's statements. I have been hoping to find time to publish a detailed analysis of all this, but I might be able to provide an abbreviated version for your web site, if you are interested. A word of caution. The Boston American article shows that Peary and Henson weren't necessarily the best of friends. Certainly, back in "civilization" Peary was a creature of his era and did not regard Henson as a social equal. To me, this does not detract from the main point that both men were heroes by any definition and men of honor and integrity.