The University of Michigan Pan-American Airways Greenland Expedition had its base camp, known as Peary Lodge in memory of America's greatest Polar explorer, on the west.coast of Greenland in Lat. 74° 19′ N. The station was located at the base of the Upper Nugssuak Peninsula just 2 miles from the inland ice on the south-east and 3 miles from the ice on the east. This station was maintained for the period from August 1, 1932, through July, 1933. This year was the Second International Polar Year and the expedition was the American representative in Greenland.

Early in the reign of Charles II two Frenchmen—Radisson and Groseilliers—were unsuccessful in eliciting interest in their own country in a scheme for establishing a fur trade with Hudson Bay, whither they had penetrated a few years previously. They consequently made their way to Boston, where they met Sir George Carteret, Privy Councillor to Charles II, Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, Treasurer of the Navy, then on a commission to Massachusetts. Sir George took them with him to England and introduced them to the King and Prince Rupert, who were much interested in their scheme. Action was delayed temporarily owing to the war with Holland and because the command of the sea was held by the Dutch, but meanwhile Radisson and Groseilliers were housed in Windsor at the expense of the King.