Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Arctic Studies Center

The Grand River party left the Julia A. Decker on July 26, in a small sailboat loaded with their camping equipment, towing two Rushton canoes.

They were optimistic about their chances of reaching the Falls before the rival party led by Henry Bryant and sponsored by the Philadelphia Geographical Society.

Writing in his journal, Fred Simonton described the departure: "We gave them three cheers as they left the vessel and all looked propitious as we were at least two days ahead of the other party."