stefansson-wrangel-09-24-001-004

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which we claim Wrangell Island - discovery and occupation.
It will be convenient, at least, in the world of tomorrow
to have a radio station and air depot at which we can land
a hundred miles before reaching Asia after flying the
Arctic. On a map of the world one hundred miles seems
but a step, but if you realize that conceive it as five times the width
of the English Channel that distance becomes significant
have been sea sick on the English
Channel you may realize that a distance five times as
great is significant.

These considerations forced us to action in 1921. We
did not dare wait either for public opinion or for govern-
ment action, for long neglect was already laying Wrangell
Island open to colonization by any farsighted foreign power. I
accordingly told my men that if they would occupy the
island I would try to stir up interest at home to secure
the support which would make that occupation effective.
They undertook the job, landed on Wrangell Island in
September 1921, and have been there ever since went into occupation.

The plan was that we would send a party in 1922 to
relieve those of the four who cared to come south.
Unfortunately in 1922, partly through a charge of govern-
ment in Canada, the national support we needed and had
expected was lacking and there was great difficulty in
raising the money. for the relief ship privately. The
resulting delay late sailing occassioned by this difficulty, combined with
the specially unfavourable ice-conditions that season