The Siege and Conquest of the North PoleBryce, George
History
The Siege and Conquest of the North Pole
Bryce, George
Arctic regions; North Pole; Scientific expeditions
“Jewell is much weaker to-day,” were the last words Lockwood wrote. This
was on the 7th April, and on the 12th Jewell died. On the 11th, Brainard
fortunately shot a bear, which probably saved the lives of some of the
party; and on the following day Long shot a small seal. On the 13th the
ration was increased to a pound of meat daily. On the 20th it had to be
reduced to 10 oz. Towards the end of April, Greely was seriously ill,
and in danger of dying. Henry, taking advantage of his illness, stole
alcohol, and became hopelessly drunk.
On the 29th April, Jens and Long were out hunting, and watched a seal
lying on an isolated floe. They hoped the floe would drift in to the
fast ice, but after a long delay, Jens decided to try and reach it in
his kayak. He crossed one lead, dragged his kayak across the ice, and
entered a second. Long, who was looking on, saw Jens suddenly begin to
paddle rapidly, and the next moment the kayak began to sink. Jens made
an effort to get up on the ice, but it was new and could not bear his
weight, and he was drowned. The kayak was probably cut when being
dragged over the ice.
On the 3rd of May the last of the bread was used, and only nine days’
meat remained. On the 6th a violent scene took place between Greely and
Dr. Pavy regarding the doctor’s reports. On the 12th, Greely decided to
divide the last of the regular rations, as he was afraid that one or two
of the worst men of the party might appropriate the remaining food,
which was only sufficient to last till the 15th of May.
The want of provisions rapidly told on the starved men. Ellis died on
the 19th, Ralston on the 23rd, and Whisler on the 24th. They now tried
to feed on saxifrage (_Saxifraga oppositifolia_). On the 24th they had
for dinner a handful of saxifrage, two or three spoonfuls of shrimps,
and a pint and a half of tea. On the 26th there was a severe storm,
which prevented Brainard going to obtain shrimps, and in consequence
stews had to be made of the seal-skin thongs used for lashing the
sledge.
Sergeant Israel, the astronomer, died on the 27th May. At the beginning
of June, fourteen of the party were still alive, but did not expect to
live long, unless the hunters were more fortunate or relief came
quickly. On the 1st June they had a breakfast of shrimps and seaweed
after a fast of thirty-four hours. Lieutenant Kislingbury died at 3 p.m.
He was the only one of the party known by Greely before contemplating
Arctic work. Although he had trouble with him at the commencement of
their work at Conger, Greely acknowledged that he was a hard-working
officer, and that he never spared himself in labours which would add to
the personal comfort of others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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