SS Roosevelt was the first ship ever built in the Western
Hemisphere for Arctic exploration. McKay and Dix Shipyard
laid her keel at Bucksport, Maine, on October 19, 1904.
The SS Roosevelt was built on Verona Island, across
the Penobscot River from Bucksport, Maine.
The ship was launched on 23 March 1905 and christened
SS Roosevelt in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt
Updated 10-26-2025
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, I was overseeing the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914). This initial research piqued my curious nature. I wanted to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and his various visits to Maine.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed into the development of what is the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, but there is a meaningful connection to
Roosevelt in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people
and or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we describe Moose C shown on the list (key) above - Bucksport 1905
The description for the photo above by the Bucksport Historical Society goes on to say...
President Theodore Roosevelt had openly supported Robert Edwin Peary, Sr., and played an instrumental role in arranging for the U. S. Navy to grant Peary a leave of absence so that he could continue his Arctic explorations. After fitting out, the SS Roosevelt was delivered to her owner, the Peary Arctic Club, in July 1905. She drew considerable attention because of her innovative design, and at the time of her construction, she was considered the strongest wooden vessel ever built. (The) United States Navy Commander Robert Peary designed Roosevelt specifically for operations in support of his Arctic exploration expeditions.
Click Here: to see many more artifacts and details on the SS Roosevelt and Robert Peary in the Perry-MacMillian Artic Museum in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin College.
The SS Roosevelt on the cover of a wonderful book, Perry's Arctic
Quest, by co-authors Susan A. Kaplan and Genevieve M. LeMoine.
On the back of the jacket cover is printed, "Filled with artifacts,
drawings, maps, and historical photographs from the
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum collections, Peary's Arctic Quest
brings Robert E. Peary's epic story, and the stories of those who
traveled with him, vividly to life." The museum is located at
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME
PWM Collection and photo
Roosevelt was a friend of explorer Robert Peary and a staunch supporter of Peary in his exploration endeavors to the North Pole.
The McKay and Dix Shipyard on Verona Island, Maine.
This shipyard built the last ship built on Verona Island, SS Roosevelt.
1911 postmark on the back below. PWM
PWM
Postcard showing the launch of the SS Roosevelt from the
shipyard on Verona Island, Maine, March 23, 1905. The postcard
lists Bucksport as the launch site. You can see the shipyard on
Verona Island. Verona Island is an independent town.
There is no postmark on the back - see below - PWM
PWM postcard back
This is an original image. Not a postcard. On the back of the card, there
is a description written. See below
On page VII, Perry's Arctic Quest, it explains why SS Roosevelt was in Portland.
The Portland Company property in Portland, Maine, is where the
SS Roosevelt's masts and boilers were installed. PWM Collection
PWM Collection
Page 19 begins, "In July 1905, the SS Roosevelt steamed out of New York Harbor on its maiden voyage to the Arctic."
After fitting out, she was delivered to her owner, the Peary Arctic Club, in July 1905. She drew considerable attention because of her innovative design, and at the time of her construction, she was considered the strongest wooden vessel ever built. (The) United States Navy Commander Robert Peary designed Roosevelt specifically for operations in support of his Arctic exploration expeditions
Peary's 1905-1906 North Pole expedition used the SS Roosevelt but did not succeed in reaching his destination. The 1908-1909 expedition also used the SS Roosevelt and was successful in allowing Peary to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909.
Postcard of the SS Roosevelt, July 7, 1908, while in Oyster Bay, NY. Theodore
Roosevelt visited Commodore Robert Perry on board. SS Roosevelt would leave
and head north seeking the North Pole. Back of this postcard below - PWM postcard
PWM postcard
Theodore Roosevelt was on the deck of the SS Roosevelt on July 7, 1908.
Commodore Robert Peary is the third person
to Roosevelt's left. The SS Roosevelt was in
Oyster Bay, NY. It would be making its
way to the North Pole. TRC 560.52 1908-013
Houghton Library, Harvard University
A small card from inside a pack of cigarettes - read the story
on the back - below - PWM
PWM
Postcard released after the SS Roosevelt returned from the North Pole
expedition. PWM - below - postmark on the back
PWM
A Bucksport resident, George Wardwell, was the chief engineer on the SS Roosevelt, and he is recognized in the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and featured in the SS Roosevelt in an exhibit in 2008, titled: Forging Ahead: SS Roosevelt Encounters the Polar Sea
The upper image is of George Wardwell of
Bucksport, Maine. He was the chief engineer on
the SS Roosevelt. The lower image is of
SS Roosevelt's Captain Robert Bartlett.
PWM photo
The SS Roosevelt on the cover of a wonderful book, Perry's Arctic
Quest, by co-authors Susan A. Kaplan and Genevieve M. LeMoine.
On the back of the jacket cover is printed, "Filled with artifacts,
drawings, maps, and historical photographs from the
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum collections, Peary's Arctic Quest
brings Robert E. Peary's epic story, and the stories of those who
traveled with him, vividly to life." The museum is located at
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME
PWM Collection and photo
I would encourage you to make plans to visit the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum on the beautiful campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick and pick up a copy of Peary's Arctic Quest :)
As of now (July 4, 2022), people do not need to make reservations to visit the museum, but they do require proof of vaccination. Here is the link to the summer 2022 hours and visitation information.
More about the SS Roosevelt - Resources and Links.
Sadly, the SS Roosevelt was left in the mud in Panama to end its days in 1937. You can read and see more in the link below.
Geologywriter.com post on the SS Roosevelt with several photos and links to more in-depth articles:
Short timeline with several photos: NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive:
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.