stefansson-wrangel-09-26-001-033

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of the American Continent, tip of Alaska, and it was here that the Karluk encountered the first
difficulties of her trip.

Our stanch little ship bravely bucked her way through the pack
till Aug. 15, when we found ourselves imprisoned and held helplessly in the
relentless grip of the vast floe from which she never was liberated. We did not,
however, realize the gravity of our situation at the time, still hoping that a
lead would open and permit us to pass on our way and escape from, as we thought, our
temporary imprisonment.

At this time we were at Camden Bay, about seventy-five miles west
of the international boundary line between Canada and Alaska, and twenty miles
off shore. The weather was clear and cold, and the snowclad mountains of Alaska
were in plain sight. The proximity of the land gave us a sense of security, as
the ice had now closed in to the shore and we could have left the ship at any
time, had we so desired, and marched to land in safety.

We remained stationary in the ice at Camden Bay, and Later our icefield started moving west, but it stopped in Harrison Bay. Our commander,
Dr. Stefansson, believed that the early northern winter had closed in upon us.
The Karluk was as well equipped and supplied with necessaries as any ship that ever
sailed beyond the Arctic Circle.

We lay here a little over a month, when Dr. Stefansson organized
a hunting trip to the mountains of Alaska for caribou in order to secure a supply
of fresh meat. He made elaborate preparations for the hunt, taking with him a
good supply of provisions, took with him three white men, two natives and dogs and sleds. He
was equipped for a two weeks’ hunt.

On Sept. 20 Dr. Stefansson bade us 'goodby' and started with men
and dog teams for land. We watched him over the ice until near the shore, when
he was lost to view. He has never been seen since by any of the crew that remained
with the Karluk. The white men who went with him were McConnell, Wilkins, Jenness,
of whom McConnell only has returned to civilization, the other two remaining in