Overview:
Dr. Frederick A. Cook’s “My Attainment of the Pole” is a captivating first-hand account of his journey to the North Pole in 1908. The book chronicles the expedition from its departure from Gloucester, Massachusetts, to its return to civilization, highlighting the breathtaking beauty and unforgiving nature of the Arctic wilderness. The journey is fraught with hardship, including extreme cold, perilous ice conditions, and constant battles against starvation. Cook’s determination and resourceful nature, alongside the unwavering support of his Eskimo companions, are crucial to his success in reaching the Pole.
The narrative is not merely an adventure story, but also a compelling defense against the accusations and controversy surrounding his claim. He refutes allegations of faking and fraud, laying out a detailed account of his journey, including his reliance on meticulous astronomical observations and the unique shadow method he employed to confirm his position at the Pole. Cook’s account also shines a light on the ethically questionable actions of his rival, Robert Peary, highlighting Peary’s pursuit of personal gain and his attempts to undermine Cook’s achievements.
Key Findings:
- Cook reached the North Pole on April 21, 1908, a year earlier than Peary’s claim of April 6, 1909.
- He emphasizes the difficulty of pinpointing the exact mathematical Pole due to the constant movement of the ice and the distortions caused by atmospheric conditions.
- Cook used a unique shadow method, which he states was not used by any other explorer, to help verify his location at the Pole.
- He challenges Peary’s claim by comparing their accounts of the journey, highlighting the striking similarities between their narratives.
Learning:
- Resilience and Adaptability: The reader learns about the extraordinary resilience and adaptability required for survival in the Arctic. Cook’s journey exemplifies the need for resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, and the ability to overcome immense challenges.
- Importance of Indigenous Knowledge: Cook emphasizes the crucial role of the Eskimos in his expedition, highlighting their knowledge of the Arctic environment, hunting techniques, and resilience.
- The Power of Determination: The reader witnesses the immense power of human determination in the face of adversity. Cook’s unwavering commitment to his goal, even in the face of near-fatal challenges, is inspiring.
- The Ethics of Exploration: Cook’s account raises ethical questions about the nature of exploration and the rivalry between explorers. He exposes the lengths to which Peary and his supporters went to discredit Cook, highlighting the dangers of envy, ambition, and the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others.
Historical Context:
The narrative takes place in the early 20th century, a time when the race to reach the North Pole was at its peak. Cook’s expedition followed in the footsteps of earlier explorers like Peary, Kane, Greely, and Sverdrup. The text provides insight into the historical context of exploration, the challenges faced by explorers, and the evolving understanding of the Arctic region.
Facts:
- Pemmican: This was invented by the American Indian and became the staple food for Cook’s expedition.
- Walrus: The walrus is a vital source of food, fuel, and material for the Eskimos. Its thick blubber provides a long, hot flame for lamps, its skin is a delicacy, and its tusks are valuable.
- Musk Ox: This unique animal is prized for its meat, fat, and skin, and is known for its defensive capabilities.
- The Aurora Borealis: This spectacular phenomenon lights the Arctic sky with shimmering veils of color, creating a captivating and often awe-inspiring display.
- Ice Foot: This is a shelf of ice formed along the shore by the tides, providing a relatively safe pathway for sledging along the coast.
- Oogzuk Seal: This type of seal provides essential food, fuel, and materials for the Eskimos.
- Ptarmigan: This bird is a delicacy for the Eskimos and is adapted to the Arctic environment, changing color from brown in summer to white in winter.
- Fox: This creature is prized for its fur and is a skilled hunter, often preying on hares.
- Lemming: This small rodent is an important part of the Arctic ecosystem, providing food for predators.
- Fox Traps: These traps are used by the Eskimos to secure fox pelts for clothing.
- Snow Bunting: This bird is a symbol of hope and a welcome sign of life in the Arctic.
- Sledges: Sledges are essential for traversing the frozen landscapes of the Arctic. Cook utilizes a combination of traditional Eskimo sledges and Yukon sledges.
- Canvas Canoe: This boat proves invaluable for navigating open water and navigating through ice.
- Midnight Sun: This natural phenomenon provides continuous daylight for months during the summer, impacting life in the Arctic.
- Mirages: The unique atmospheric conditions of the Arctic create mirages that often deceive explorers.
- Iceblink: This is a silvery reflection of sunlight from the snow and ice that can be seen in the sky, providing a visual cue for the presence of land or ice.
- Water Sky: This is a dark, smoky cloud that often indicates the presence of open water or very thin ice.
- Paleocrystic Ice: This is ancient ice that is very thick and difficult to break, forming in the Arctic sea and often drifting south.
- The Big Lead: This is a large open space in the ice pack that can be extremely dangerous for explorers, as it can widen unexpectedly.
- Crevasses: These deep cracks in the ice can be hazardous for explorers.
- Igloo: This dome-shaped shelter built from snow is a crucial survival structure for the Eskimos.
- Slingshot: This simple but effective weapon is used by Eskimos to hunt birds.
- Loop Line: This is a type of snare used by Eskimos to catch birds and sometimes even larger animals.
- Bear: This powerful predator is a formidable opponent in the Arctic, but can also be a source of food for explorers.
- Wolf: This wolf is adapted to the Arctic and is a skilled hunter, often preying on musk oxen and other animals.
- Bivouac: This term refers to a temporary campsite, often in the lee of hummocks for shelter.
- Tallow: This is the rendered fat of animals, used as fuel and sometimes eaten by the Eskimos.
- Hypsometer: An instrument used to measure altitude.
Statistics:
- 1,000 pounds of pemmican: This is the amount of pemmican Cook takes with him for his expedition.
- 103 dogs: This is the number of dogs used to pull the sleds on Cook’s journey.
- 2,000 miles: The total distance covered by Cook’s expedition, including the journey to the Pole and the return journey.
- 30,000 square miles: This is the estimated area of new land discovered by Cook during his journey.
- 80 days: This is the anticipated length of Cook’s journey to the Pole and back to land.
- 48° below zero Fahrenheit: The lowest temperature recorded during Cook’s journey.
- 96° 2ʹ Fahrenheit: The lowest body temperature Cook records during his return journey.
- 12° above the horizon: The altitude of the sun at noon when Cook reached the Pole.
- 15 miles: The average distance covered by Cook’s expedition each day during the return journey.
- 1,500 dollars: The amount paid to Barrill for his false affidavit about Mt. McKinley.
- 3,000 dollars: The amount Peary’s press agent offered to send an expedition to Alaska to discredit Cook.
- 25,000 dollars: The amount Cook received for his narrative story.
- 140,000 dollars: The value of lecture engagements Cook cancelled.
- 1.5 million dollars: The total estimated value of book, magazine, and lecture offers Cook received.
- 6,000 dollars: Peary’s annual pension.
- 35,000 dollars: The estimated value of supplies and furs taken from Cook by Peary.
- 10,000 dollars: The amount Whitney paid to Peary to remain at the “Relief Station”
- 10,000 dollars: The amount of furs and ivory taken from Francke by Peary.
- 40,000 dollars: The amount Peary received for selling the Eskimos’ “Iron Stone”
Terms:
- Pemmican: A concentrated food made of dried meat, berries, and fat, commonly used by explorers and Indigenous peoples.
- Sledge: A long, narrow vehicle used for traveling over snow and ice.
- Igloo: A dome-shaped shelter built from snow blocks.
- Hummock: A mound or hill of ice formed by pressure.
- Lead: An open space of water in the ice pack.
- Crevasse: A deep crack in the ice.
- Pack Ice: Ice that is formed from the freezing of seawater and then drifts.
- Land-Adhering Ice: Ice that is frozen to the land.
- Paleocrystic Ice: Very thick ice that has been accumulating for many years.
- Iceblink: A silvery reflection of sunlight from snow and ice that can be seen in the sky.
Examples:
- The Walrus Hunt: Cook describes a thrilling walrus hunt, detailing the tactics of the Eskimos and the dangers of the chase.
- Ma-nee’s Story: Ma-nee, a widow with two disabled children, defies Eskimo customs to seek the help of her former husband, Ik-wa.
- Crossing the Big Lead: Cook recounts the perilous journey across the treacherous Big Lead, detailing the precautions taken and the near-fatal incident that occurs.
- The Bear Hunt: Cook describes a close encounter with a polar bear, emphasizing the danger and excitement of the hunt.
- The Musk Ox Hunt: Cook recounts the unique methods he and his Eskimo companions developed to successfully hunt musk oxen, highlighting their resourcefulness and knowledge.
- The Aurora Borealis: Cook describes the awe-inspiring beauty of the Northern Lights.
- The Midnight Sun: Cook describes the unique impact of the midnight sun on the Arctic landscape and the challenges it presents for navigation and observing.
- The Eskimo Stork: Cook describes the unique customs and rituals surrounding childbirth among the Eskimos, highlighting the importance of family and tradition.
- The Eskimo Shadow Dial: Cook explains his unique method of using shadows to confirm his location at the Pole.
- The Eskimo Feast: Cook describes the Eskimos’ unique way of celebrating and sharing a feast of uncooked animal foods, highlighting their adaptability and resilience.
Conclusion:
Dr. Cook’s “My Attainment of the Pole” is a remarkable account of adventure, resilience, and the pursuit of a seemingly impossible goal. Cook’s journey offers a glimpse into the harsh beauty and unforgiving nature of the Arctic, demonstrating the importance of knowledge, adaptability, and unwavering determination in overcoming immense challenges. His narrative goes beyond the simple achievement of reaching the Pole, however, offering a compelling account of the rivalry between explorers, the ethical dilemmas of exploration, and the unjust tactics employed by his opponents. Cook’s detailed account, combined with the corroboration of his claims by Peary’s own writings and observations, provides compelling evidence that Cook was indeed the first to reach the North Pole.