Overview:
The book chronicles the pursuit of the North Pole by American explorers in the mid-19th century. It details the adventures of Dr. Kane, who commanded the brig “Advance” in 1853, and Dr. Hayes, who led the “Forlorn Hope” escape party after the ship became trapped in the ice. The book also recounts the remarkable journey of Charles Francis Hall, a self-taught explorer who sought to reach King William’s Land and uncover the fate of the lost Franklin expedition.
These explorers faced incredible challenges, including treacherous ice conditions, extreme cold, and limited food supplies. They encountered polar bears, walruses, and other Arctic wildlife, and had to contend with the dangers of scurvy and other diseases. The text highlights the bravery and perseverance of these men, who risked their lives in the name of exploration and scientific discovery.
Key Findings:
- The Arctic presented formidable challenges to explorers, including treacherous ice, extreme cold, and limited food sources.
- Scurvy was a major threat, weakening explorers and leading to fatalities.
- The Esquimo people, while capable of survival in the Arctic, were often unreliable and prone to theft.
- Despite the challenges, American explorers achieved significant advancements in surveying the Arctic and gaining knowledge of the region’s geography and wildlife.
Learning:
- Arctic conditions: The text provides a detailed account of the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Arctic, including descriptions of ice formations, weather patterns, and the challenges of navigating treacherous terrain.
- Scurvy: The reader will learn about the dangers of scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. The text details the symptoms, treatments, and devastating effects of the disease on explorers.
- Esquimo culture: The book offers insights into the traditional Esquimo way of life, including their hunting methods, survival strategies, and social customs. The text also highlights the complexities of interacting with these people, who could be both helpful and treacherous.
- Exploration strategies: The reader will learn about the methods and tools used by explorers to navigate the Arctic, including sledding with dog teams, boat travel, and building snow shelters. The text also illustrates the importance of teamwork, resilience, and preparedness in facing these challenging conditions.
Historical Context:
The text was written in 1875, a time when exploration of the Arctic was in full swing. The search for the lost Franklin expedition fueled interest in the region, and technological advancements, such as steam-powered ships, facilitated longer and more ambitious expeditions. The book also provides a glimpse into the global political climate of the time, as the Crimean War and the American Civil War unfolded.
Facts:
- Scurvy: A lack of vitamin C caused by a limited diet of meat and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Arctic ice: Formed from crystallized dew drops and snowflakes that accumulate over time and never fully melt due to the extreme cold.
- Glaciers: Giant rivers of ice that flow slowly from higher ground towards the sea.
- Icebergs: Form when large sections of a glacier break off and float away.
- Walruses: Massive marine mammals with tusks used for fighting and digging.
- Polar Bears: Apex predators of the Arctic, known for their hunting skills and powerful physique.
- Musk-Ox: Arctic mammals with long, thick hair and curved horns, known for their resilience in harsh environments.
- Esquimo hunting: Skilled in hunting seals, walruses, polar bears, and other Arctic wildlife.
- Esquimo housing: Build snow huts called igloos for winter shelter.
- Esquimo diet: Primarily consists of meat, including seal, walrus, musk-ox, and polar bear.
- Esquimo customs: Have unique traditions and customs, including burying their dead in a seated position and relying on shamans or Angekoks for spiritual guidance.
- Midnight sun: A phenomenon occurring during summer months in the Arctic, where the sun remains visible above the horizon for 24 hours.
- Aurora Borealis: A spectacular light display in the night sky caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Phosphorescence: A phenomenon observed by Dr. Kane, where objects emit a faint, bluish light in the dark.
- Dog teams: Used by explorers for transportation over the ice and snow.
- Sledges: Specialized vehicles designed for traversing difficult Arctic terrain.
- Boat travel: Used by explorers to navigate waterways and leads in the ice.
- Fox-chases: A form of entertainment used by explorers to pass the time during long winters.
- Esquimo “talk”: A series of sounds used to lure seals closer for hunting.
- Esquimo “ankootings”: Shamans or Angekoks use mystical songs and gestures to communicate with spirits and influence events.
Statistics:
- 1853: The year Dr. Kane’s expedition to the Arctic began.
- 1854: The year Dr. Kane’s expedition ended, and the first party attempted to escape the trapped brig.
- 1860: The year Dr. Hayes led the “United States” expedition to the Arctic.
- 1871: The year the “Polaris” expedition departed for the Arctic under Charles Francis Hall.
- 1872: The year Charles Francis Hall died in the Arctic.
- 1875: The year the book “North-Pole Voyages” was published.
- 11 years: Captain Buddington’s experience in the Arctic before leading the “Polaris” expedition.
- 40 years: The age of Charles Francis Hall when he began his first Arctic expedition.
- 14 hours: The amount of time it took Dr. Kane and his party to travel 20 miles while escaping from the brig “Advance”.
- 100 feet per year: The estimated speed of the glaciers in the Arctic.
- 1200 miles: The estimated length of the Greenland ice sheet.
- 12 miles in an hour: The speed of Dr. Hayes’s dog team during one of his expeditions.
- 5000 feet: The altitude of Dr. Hayes and his team during their glacier expedition.
- 1300 miles: The distance Dr. Hayes and his team traveled during their sledge journey across Smith Sound.
- 800 miles from the North Pole: The furthest point reached by the “Polaris” expedition.
- 300 pounds: The weight of the musk-ox killed by Captain Hall during his sledge journey.
- 1500 pounds: The total weight of provisions carried by the “Polaris” expedition.
- 36 dogs: The original number of dogs on the “Polaris” expedition.
- 1600 miles: The distance the floe party drifted on the ice before being rescued.
- 700 pounds: The weight of the “oogjook” (seal) captured by the floe party.
Terms:
- Floe: A sheet of floating ice.
- Hummock: A mound of ice.
- Pack: A collection of ice floes.
- Lead: A narrow channel in the ice.
- Berg: A large iceberg.
- Igloo: A snow hut built by the Esquimo.
- Tropic: A tent made of skins.
- Sledge: A vehicle used for transportation over snow and ice.
- Pemmican: A concentrated food made from dried meat and fat.
- Boom: A firearm, especially a rifle.
Examples:
- The “Advance” Drift: The brig “Advance” becomes trapped in the ice and drifts for months, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of Arctic ice conditions.
- The “Forlorn Hope” Escape: Dr. Hayes leads the “Forlorn Hope” escape party from the “Advance”, highlighting the courage and determination of explorers.
- The Esquimo Theft: The Esquimo steal from the “Advance” expedition, demonstrating the potential for conflict and mistrust between explorers and the indigenous people.
- The Bear Fight: Dr. Kane and his party encounter a mother bear and her cub, leading to a thrilling and tragic battle.
- The Walrus Hunt: Myouk and Morton participate in a traditional Esquimo walrus hunt, showcasing the skill and tenacity of these hunters.
- The “Forlorn Hope” Storm: Dr. Hayes and his escape party are caught in a violent storm, showcasing the dangers of Arctic weather.
- The “Faith” Sledge Incident: Dr. Kane’s sledge party is trapped in a snowdrift and rescued by a second sledge team, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and preparation.
- The “Faith” Sledge Rescue: Dr. Kane and his team rescue a trapped sledge party in a harrowing journey across the ice, demonstrating their courage and compassion.
- The “Polaris” Ice Encounter: The “Polaris” gets trapped in a massive ice flow, demonstrating the power and unpredictability of the Arctic environment.
- The “Polaris” Floe Separation: The “Polaris” is separated from the floe in a violent storm, leading to the perilous journey of the floe party.
Conclusion:
“North-Pole Voyages” is a captivating account of the challenges and triumphs of American explorers in their pursuit of the North Pole. The text highlights the harsh realities of Arctic life, including treacherous ice conditions, extreme cold, and limited food resources. It also details the heroic efforts of explorers who risked their lives in the name of scientific discovery and the complexities of interacting with the indigenous Esquimo people. The book serves as a testament to the courage, resilience, and dedication of these pioneers, who pushed the boundaries of human exploration in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. The reader will gain a valuable understanding of the historical context of Arctic exploration, the challenges and dangers faced by explorers, and the unique cultures of the indigenous peoples who call the Arctic home.