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The True Story Of The Disastrous 1871 Mission To The North Pole

Richard Adams

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Published in Journey To The Arctic: The True Story Of The Disastrous 1871 Mission To The North Pole

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In 1871, a team of explorers set out on a mission to reach the North Pole. The expedition was led by Charles Francis Hall, an experienced Arctic explorer. However, the expedition ended in disaster, with Hall and several of his crew members dying.

Journey to the Arctic: The True Story of the Disastrous 1871 Mission to the North Pole

by Smart Reads

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The expedition began in New York City in July 1871. Hall had assembled a crew of 18 men, including several experienced sailors and scientists. The expedition's ship, the Polaris, was a sturdy whaling vessel that had been reinforced for Arctic conditions.

The Polaris sailed north from New York City and made its way through the Davis Strait and into Baffin Bay. The expedition then turned north and sailed along the west coast of Greenland. In August 1871, the Polaris reached Smith Sound, the northernmost point of Greenland.

The expedition then began its journey across the Arctic Ocean. The Polaris sailed through heavy ice floes and encountered several storms. In October 1871, the Polaris became trapped in pack ice. The ship was held fast for several months, and the crew began to suffer from scurvy and other illnesses.

In April 1872, the Polaris finally broke free from the ice. However, the ship was badly damaged and was taking on water. Hall decided to abandon the Polaris and lead his crew south on foot. The crew traveled over ice floes and across open water. They eventually reached the coast of Greenland, where they were rescued by a whaling ship.

Hall and several of his crew members died during the expedition. Hall died of a stroke in November 1871. The exact cause of Hall's death is unknown, but it is believed that he was suffering from a combination of scurvy, exposure, and exhaustion.

The 1871 mission to the North Pole was a disaster. However, the expedition did make some important scientific discoveries. The crew collected data on the Arctic climate, the Arctic Ocean, and the Arctic wildlife. The expedition also helped to pave the way for future Arctic expeditions.

The Crew of the Polaris

Charles Francis Hall, expedition leader
Sidney O. Buddington, first officer
George Tyson, second officer
James M. Ambler, third officer
Emil Bessels, surgeon
Friedrich Meyer, astronomer
Louis P. Krider, photographer
Joe Ebierbing, Greenlandic interpreter
Hans Hendrik, Greenlandic guide
John Herron, carpenter
John Gregory, engineer
William Pristo, cook
August Sontag, steward
Peter Simmons, seaman
Thomas Hickey, seaman
Richard Keeler, seaman
Charles Blake, seaman
Matthew Henson, cabin boy

The Scientific Discoveries of the Polaris Expedition

The expedition collected data on the Arctic climate, including temperature, humidity, and wind speed.
The expedition collected data on the Arctic Ocean, including depth, currents, and salinity.
The expedition collected data on the Arctic wildlife, including the distribution and behavior of polar bears, seals, and walruses.

The Legacy of the Polaris Expedition

The 1871 mission to the North Pole was a disaster. However, the expedition did make some important scientific discoveries. The expedition also helped to pave the way for future Arctic expeditions.

Today, the Polaris expedition is remembered as one of the most important Arctic expeditions in history. The expedition's scientific discoveries helped to increase our understanding of the Arctic environment. The expedition also helped to inspire future generations of Arctic explorers.

Journey to the Arctic: The True Story of the Disastrous 1871 Mission to the North Pole

by Smart Reads

4 out of 5