DOCSLIB.ORG

Climate Lessons from the First International Polar Year*

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Climate Lessons from the First International Polar Year* CLIMATE LESSONS FROM THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR* BY KEVIN R. WOOD AND JAMES E. OVERLAND Evidence of a strong North Atlantic Oscillation signature in surface observations from 1882-83 highlights the impact of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns in Arctic climate variability, both today and in the past. hat a notable climate change has taken place and where the present warming trend first began in the Arctic in the years since the first is uncertain, and what the underlying causes are is TInternational Polar Year (IPY) in 1882-83 is not completely understood. Furthermore, warming beyond dispute. Evidence of the impacts of climate through the twentieth century was not a continuous change is widespread. Northern seas have become process, but apparently occurred in two intervals with warmer and the extent of sea ice has diminished. a cooler interlude between them (Jones and Moberg Glaciers have declined. Permafrost has thawed, lead- 2003). Scientists in the 1920s were quick to note the ing to the long-lasting transformation of ecosystems. onset of the first warming interval, which lasted into the Biogeographical boundaries have shifted northward 1940s and was especially pronounced in some regions as Arctic ecosystems have gradually been trans- of the Arctic (Ahlmann 1948). A large degree of natural formed into more sub-Arctic ones (ACIA 2005). variability; feedback mechanisms related to albedo While many of the effects related to climate varia- and other radiative processes; and external forcing, tion have been described over the last 100 years, when such as a change in carbon dioxide and methane, an increase in insolation, or a decrease in volcanism, have all potentially contributed to Arctic warming, but AFFILIATIONS: WOOD—Joint Institute for the Study of the with uncertain and variable relative importance and Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington, Seattle, unknown interactions (Overland 2006). Washington; OVERLAND—NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, Washington One approach to understanding Arctic climate *Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Contribution Number change is to look more deeply into the history of explo- 2870 ration in the region, to a time before the present era of CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Kevin R. Wood, Joint Institute for warming commenced, for previously unutilized obser- the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washing- vations. While there is a rich library of work containing ton, Seattle, WA 98195 the accounts of hundreds of individual voyages of dis- E-mail: [email protected] covery going back to the sixteenth century, the first op- The abstract for this article can be found in this issue, following the portunity to study the circumpolar Arctic environment table of contents. in a synoptic sense is found in the data and observations DOIilO.I I75/BAMS-87-I2-I685 recorded during the first IPY in 1882-83. A map show- In final form 5 July 2006 ing the locations of 12 principal and 13 auxiliary IPY sta- ©2006 American Meteorological Society tions is given in Fig. 1, along with a picture of each prin- AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY DECEMBER 2006 BAPIS* I 1685 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/09/21 12:09 PM UTC FIG. I. (a) Map showing the locations of the 12 principal re- search stations established in the Arctic during the first IPY. Observations were also col- lected in at least 13 auxiliary locations that are shown here, (b) Twelve Arctic research sta- tions were established during the first IPY. More than 700 men incurred the dangers of Arctic service to establish and relieve these stations be- tween 1881 and 1884. Photo of Fort Rae (date unknown: University of Alberta 2006, Julian Arthur Mills Fonds item number 78-45-165, available online at www.ualberta.ca/ ARCHIVES/). 1686 | BAflS- DECEMBER 2006 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/09/21 12:09 PM UTC cipal station. The IPY was the first coordinated series of expeditions dedicated to sci- entific research dispatched into the Arctic with the ex- press purpose of collecting synoptic meteorological and geophysical observations. These observations were also the first to be collected on the basis of a clearly defined sampling protocol and to use similar high-quality and well-calibrated instruments. The data were successfully gathered and published, but due to organizational short- comings after the conclusion of the field program they were never systematically analyzed. In 2007 the next Inter- national Polar Year will begin, 130 years after Carl Weyprecht first proposed that nations join together to conduct cooperative research FIG. 2. (top) Meteorological instruments at Cap Thordsen, Spitzbergen. in the polar regions. Like its (bottom) The wild pattern thermometer screen shown here was standard at all IPY stations except for the U.S. stations at Lady Franklin Bay and Point antecedents, the first and Barrow, SAT (black) and SLP (red) recorded at this station. the second IPY (1932-33) and the International Geophysical Year (1957-58), IPY daily mean surface air temperature (SAT), sea level pres- 2007-08 will seek new understanding of the Earth's en- sure (SLP) (Fig. 2), and 6-hourly winds. Meteorological vironment through an intensive, coordinated campaign data from the first IPY and an extensive documentary of polar observations and analysis (National Research image collection are available online (www.arctic.noaa. Council 2004). The next IPY will use much more ad- gov/aro/ipy-l). vanced and safer methods of conducting research, such Using this material, along with other physical as autonomous observing systems, for example, but the observations recorded at the time, we are able to principles and the spirit of scientific inquiry in the harsh describe the meteorological conditions and related polar regions remain in many ways identical to those seasonal events that occurred in 1882-83. With of the first IPY (see information online at www.us-ipy. the benefit of additional data obtained at these and org/ and www.ipy.org). One of the primary scientific nearby locations in subsequent years we can com- objectives is to place the climate changes currently un- pare the IPY observations with recent SAT and SLP folding in the Arctic within the context of the past in observations. In light of the relationship between the order to distinguish the relative contribution of natural atmospheric circulation and SAT anomaly patterns and anthropogenic variability. in the Northern Hemisphere, we investigate the cor- We present for the first time an analysis of the synop- relation between SAT and SLP observed during the tic meteorological observations recorded during the first first IPY and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) IPY. From the original reports1 published between 1885 index, a measure of the strength of atmospheric cir- and 1910 we have extracted and digitized monthly and culation based on the difference of normalized SLP 1 The original reports from which data were extracted are Dawson 1886; Ekholm 1887; Greely 1888; Lemstrom and Biese, Eds., 1886; Lenz, Ed. 1886a; Lenz, Ed. 1886b; Neumayer and Borgen, Eds., 1886; Paulson 1889; Ray 1885; Snellen and Ekama 1910; Steen 1887; von Wohlgemuth 1886. AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY DECEMBER 2006 BAflS* | 1687 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/09/21 12:09 PM UTC between Ponta Delgada, Azores, and Stykkisholmur/ product of simultaneous observations. "The entire Reykjavik, Iceland (Hurrell 1995). The NAO can also Meteorology of our day rests upon comparison," he be interpreted as a regional expression of the more said, "all the successes of which it can boast—the hemispheric-scale Northern Annular Mode (NAM) laws of storms, the theories of winds—are results of (Ostermeier and Wallace 2003). Before turning to synchronous observations." Meteorological constants the particulars of the meteorological analysis it is revealed the average conditions in different places, but appropriate to review the origin and scientific objec- were not useful in understanding the physical laws tives of the first IPY. that governed changes in those conditions. "They can answer the how," he said, "but are rarely equal to the WEYPRECHT'S INSPIRATION. A decade be why" (Weyprecht 1875c). Weyprecht worked for six fore the first IPY, Carl Weyprecht years, until his untimely death (Fig. 3) realized that solutions at age 43 from tuberculosis, to to the fundamental problems of launch the set of cooperative global meteorology and geophysics international expeditions with were to be sought near the Earth s a primary mission to collect the poles, and that decisive results synoptic observations that he would only be obtained through hoped would begin to reveal the a series of coordinated scientific fundamental physical laws of the expeditions (Weyprecht 1875a). Earth and its atmosphere. Weyprecht's inspiration came from his experience as a scientist SO EXTENSIVE AND DAN- and co-commander of the Austro- GEROUS A WORK. Eleven Hungarian Polar Expedition of nations established 14 principal 1872-74 (Baker 1982). Thousands research stations, with 12 in the of scientific observations were Arctic and 2 in the sub-Antarctic. recorded during this expedition, The first two were established but the information thus amassed in the autumn of 1881 by the was of limited use. Weyprecht United States, at Lady Franklin observed, Bay, Ellesmere Island, and Point Barrow, Alaska. The remaining 12 FIG. 3. C. Weyprecht (1838-81) But whatever interest all these (Annals of the International stations were active by the autumn observations may possess, they Geophysical Year 1959). of 1882 (Fig. lb). The designated do not possess that scientific period for the international pro- value, even supported by a long column of figures, gram was from 1 August 1882 through 1 September which under other circumstances might have been 1883, but participants were encouraged to obtain an the case. They only furnish us with a picture of the additional year of observations if possible. The United extreme effects of the forces of Nature in the Arctic States began work a year early, and Russia and Finland regions, but leave us completely in the dark with both extended their activities for an additional year, respect to their causes (Weyprecht 1875b).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pragmatism and Cooperation: Canadian-American Defence Activities in the Arctic, 1945-1951
    Pragmatism and Cooperation: Canadian-American Defence Activities in the Arctic, 1945-1951 by Peter Kikkert A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Arts In History Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2009 © Peter Kikkert 2009 Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract During the early Cold War, as the Soviet menace placed Canada in between two hostile superpowers, the Canadian government decided to take steps to ensure that its sovereignty and national interests were not threatened by the Americans in the new strategic environment. This study examines the extent to which the Canadian government actually defended its sovereignty and rights against American intrusions in the early Cold War. At its core is an examination of the government’s policy of gradual acquisition in the Arctic between 1945 and 1951. This thesis explores the relationships that existed at the time, the essence of the negotiations, the state of international law and the potential costs and benefits of certain Canadian courses of action. It also explains how Canada’s quiet diplomacy allowed it to avoid alienating its chief ally, contribute to continental defence, and strengthen its sovereignty during this period. iii Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, for his insight, constant encouragement and advice.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Ellesmere Island, North West Territories Fort Conger Buildings
    Ellesmere Island, North West Territories Fort Conger Buildings HERITAGE CHARACTER STATEMENT The Fort Conger site consists of three huts built in 1900 by American engineer and explorer Robert E. Peary for use as the principal land base for his 1901-1 902 attempt to reach the North Pole. In addition to these huts there are also archaeological remains. Two of the huts are reasonably intact; the third has lost its roof and part of two walls. Parks Canada is the custodial department. See FHBRO Building Report 88-177. Reasons For Designation The Fort Conger buildings were designated Classified for their close association with Arctic exploration, in particular, with Peary's attempts to reach the North Pole. The Fort Conger huts are rare surviving examples of buildings associated with North Polar Exploration at the turn of the century. They are also designated for their representation of the functional adaptation of structures to the High Arctic climate, and for the integrity of the site in its remote natural setting. The Fort Conger site on Lady Franklin Bay was the most northerly base camp used in the early explorations of the North Pole region. Expeditions to the area were led by British Captain George S. Nares in 1875-76 and American Lieutenant Adolphus Greely in 1881, both of which ended in loss of life as a result of inadequate shelter and supplies. Peary's 1898-1902 expedition was threatened in 1900 when his ship the Windward, on which he intended to spend the winter, did not arrive as expected at Fort Conger. Peary used materials from a house built on the site by the Greely expedition to construct the three extant huts, as well as a kitchen building, of which only traces remain.
    [Show full text]
  • The Greely Expedition Program Transcript
    Page 1 The Greely Expedition Program Transcript Adolphus W. Greely (Tim Hopper): "We have been lured here to our destruction. We are 24 starved men; we have done all we can to help ourselves, and shall ever struggle on, but it drives me almost insane to face the future. It is not the end that affrights anyone, but the road to be traveled to reach that goal. To die is easy; very easy; it is only hard to strive, to endure, to live. Adolphus Greely." Narrator: "I will bear true faith." Every officer in the U.S. Army swore the oath to his country, but Lieutenant Adolphus Greely embodied it. He and his 24 men were about to leave the world behind and travel to the farthest reaches of the Arctic. There, they would take part in a revolutionary scientific mission, and explore the limits of the known world. It was everything Greely could have asked for. Jim Lotz, Writer: There was fame to be gained. There was glory to be gained. And he had this very, very strong drive to make himself exceptional so that he would be recognized by the military. Narrator: The military had been Greely's salvation. As a child he had seen his father crippled and his mother's life drained away in a Massachusetts mill town, and he wanted none of it. He had escaped by volunteering for the Union, had survived the bloodiest fighting in the country's history, and led one of the first units of black troops. The Civil War left him with a deep devotion to the Republic that had rescued him from obscurity.
    [Show full text]
  • Adolphus Washington Greely (1844-1935) Adolphuswashington Greely Became a Worldcelebrity Officer
    150 ARCTIC PROFILES Adolphus Washington Greely (1844-1935) AdolphusWashington Greely became a worldcelebrity officer. Here he fell under the spell of Captain Henry W. almost overnight in 1884 when the six survivors of the Lady Howgate, a Signal Service officer who was an enthusiast for Franklin Bay Expedition under his leadership were rescued arctic exploration and who opened his extensivelibrary of arc- from starvation in the Arctic. Yet he was far more than the tic literature to the younger officer. It was through this chain central figure of one tragic expedition. Explorer, soldier, of events that Greely was inspiredto a deep interest in leading scientist, and author, Greely was respected as an international an arctic expedition. He hadseveral motives: to visit a strange authority on polar science from the 1880s until his death 50 and romantic part of the world, to study the physical condi- years later. tions of theFar North, to conduct signaling experiments under Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1844, Greely vol- severe weather conditions, and also, perhaps, to make a name unteered for Civil War service in the Union Army before he for himself that would help his promotion. was 18. He was grievously wounded at Antietam in 1862, but In October 1879 ai International Polar Conference held in returned to active dutythe following spring as anofficer of the Hamburg agreed ona common program of meteorological and U.S. Colored Infantry, made up of free black soldiers. When otherphysical observations by expeditionssupported by a the war ended he heldthe brevet rank of captainof volunteers dozen countries, all to be placed as far toward the top of the and decided on service in the regular army as his career.
    [Show full text]
  • Information to Users
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMT UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE HOME ONLY LONG ENOUGH: ARCTIC EXPLORER ROBERT E. PEARY, AMERICAN SCIENCE, NATIONALISM, AND PHILANTHROPY, 1886-1908 A Dissertation SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By KELLY L. LANKFORD Norman, Oklahoma 2003 UMI Number: 3082960 UMI UMI Microform 3082960 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Titie 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 c Copyright by KELLY LARA LANKFORD 2003 All Rights Reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • INTO the ARCTIC: Tour Companion Booklet
    INTO THE ARCTIC Cory Trépanier’s Impassioned Vision of Canada’s Far North Over 50 Paintings • 3 Films • 1 Remarkable Experience Produced by David J. Wagner L.L.C. Companion Booklet to the Into The Arctic Prospectus 4 Cory Trépanier’s INTO THE ARCTIC A traveling museum exhibition of Canadian Arctic oil paintings by Cory Trépanier Produced by David J. Wagner L.L.C. Member of the American Alliance of Museums and International Council of Museums 414.221.6878 [email protected] davidjwagnerllc.com Exhibition artwork, video journals, photographs, and more at: www.intothearctic.ca 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction...............................................................................................................5 Glacierside at Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C. ................6 Glacierside: One of Four Pillars of the Collection.............................7 Great Glacier: Centrepiece of the Exhibition .....................................9 Testimonials..............................................................................................................11 Artist Bio................................................................................................................... 12 Artist Statement.....................................................................................................13 On Painting the Arctic.......................................................................................14 Painting With Arctic Peoples.........................................................................15 Artist
    [Show full text]
  • Quttinirpaaq National Park Management Plan 2009
    Quttinirpaaq National Park of Canada Management Plan Cover Photograph: Gull Glacier, Tanquary Fiord, © Parks Canada National Library of Canada cataloguing in publication data: Parks Canada. Nunavut Field Unit. Quttinirpaaq National Park of Canada: Management Plan / Parks Canada. Issued also in French under title: Parc national du Canada Quttinirpaaq, plan directeur. Issued also in Inuktitut under title: ᖁᑦᑎᓂᕐᐹᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᒥᕐᖑᐃᖅᓯᕐᕕᖓ ᒥᕐᖑᐃᖅᓯᕐᕕᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎ 1. Quttinirpaaq National Park (Nunavut)--Management. 2. National parks and reserves--Canada--Management. 3. National parks and reserves--Nunavut-- Management. I. Parks Canada. Western and Northern Service Centre II. Title. FC3364.R53P37 2006 333.7809719'52 C2006-980239-4 © Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2009. Paper: ISBN: 0-662-44205-9 Catalogue No.: R63-341/2006E PDF: ISBN 0-662-44206-7 Catalogue No.: R63-341/2006E-PDF Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. wktg5 wcomZoxaymuJ6 wktgotbsix3g6 . Quttinirpaaq NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA Management Plan OCTOBER 2009 Minister’s Foreword Canada’s national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas offer Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast unique opportunities to experience and understand our wonderful country. They are places of learning, recreation and inspiration where Canadians can connect with our past and appreciate the natural, cultural and social forces that shaped Canada. From our smallest national park to our most visited national historic site to our largest national marine conservation area, each of these places offers Canadians and visitors several experiential opportunities to enjoy Canada’s historic and natural heritage. These places of beauty, wonder and learning are valued by Canadians - they are part of our past, our present and our future.
    [Show full text]
  • An Arctic Execution: Private Charles B
    ARCTIC VOL. 64, NO. 4 (DECEMBER 2011) P. 399 – 412 An Arctic Execution: Private Charles B. Henry of the United States Lady Franklin Bay Expedition 1881 – 84 GLENN M. STEIN1 (Received 6 January 2011; accepted in revised form 11 April 2011) ABSTRACT. Private Charles B. Henry, of the United States Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, was put to death by a summary military execution on 6 June 1884, at Camp Clay, near Cape Sabine, Ellesmere Land, in the High Arctic. An execution is an extremely rare event in Arctic and Antarctic history. Shrouded in mystery for over 125 years, Henry’s execution has been told in two contradicting accounts. By considering the actions of key persons, presenting new details, and identifying related artifacts for the first time, the author concludes that the lesser-known account is likely more accurate and that the participants in the execution had their reasons for not sharing the actual version publicly until many years later. Key words: Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, Charles B. Henry, Adolphus Greely, Brainard, Cape Clay, execution, International Polar Year expedition RÉSUMÉ. Le soldat Charles B. Henry, de l’expédition américaine de la baie Lady Franklin, a été mis à mort lors d’une exécution militaire sommaire le 6 juin 1884, au camp Clay, près du cap Sabine, Ellesmere Land, dans l’Extrême-Arctique. Les exécutions se font extrêmement rares dans l’histoire de l’Arctique et de l’Antarctique. Entourée de mystère pendant plus de 125 ans, l’exécution du soldat Henry a été racontée dans le cadre de deux récits contradictoires.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Conger: a Site of Arctic History in the 21St Century MARGARET M
    ARCTIC VOL. 66, NO. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2013) P. 312 – 328 Fort Conger: A Site of Arctic History in the 21st Century MARGARET M. BERTULLI,1 LYLE DICK, 2 PETER C. DAWSON3 and PANIK LYNN COUSINS4 (Received 19 September 2012; accepted in revised form 15 January 2013) ABSTRACT. Fort Conger, located at Discovery Harbour in Lady Franklin Bay on northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, played an intrinsic role in several High Arctic expeditions between 1875 and 1935, particularly around 1900 – 10 during the height of the Race to the North Pole. Here are found the remains of historic voyages of exploration and discovery related to the 19th century expeditions of G.S. Nares and A.W. Greely, early 20th century expeditions of R.E. Peary, and forays by explorers, travelers, and government and military personnel. In the Peary era, Fort Conger’s connection with indigenous people was amplified, as most of the expedition personnel who were based there were Inughuit from Greenland, and the survival strategies of the explorers were largely derived from Inughuit material cultural and environmental expertise. The complex of shelters at Fort Conger symbolizes an evolution from the rigid application of Western knowledge, as represented in the unsuitable prefab- ricated Greely expedition house designed in the United States, towards the pragmatic adaptation of Aboriginal knowledge represented in the Inughuit-influenced shelters that still stand today. Fort Conger currently faces various threats to its longevity: degradation of wooden structures through climate and weathering, bank erosion, visitation, and inorganic contami- nation. Its early history and links with Greenlandic Inughuit have suggested that the science of heritage preservation, along with management practices of monitoring, remediation of contamination, and 3D laser scanning, should be applied to maintain the site for future generations.
    [Show full text]
  • Anthology of Arctic Reading: General
    Anthology of Arctic Reading: General General Works This miscellaneous section includes works of general interest, some not specifically Polar, works of multiple expeditions, and works dealing with long period of Arctic exploration. Also included in this general section are excerpts from whaling books not associated with individual voyages, and not exclusively polar journeys. Allan, Mea. The Hookers of Kew 1785-1911. London: Michael Joseph, 1967. Joseph Hooker was part of the Erebus and Terror Antarctic expedition led by James Clark Ross, an expedition poorly equipped for scientific investigation p. 113, quotes Hooker himself: Except for some drying paper for plants, I had not a single instrument or book supplied to me as a naturalist—all were given to me by my father. I had, however, the use of Ross’s library, and you may hardly credit it, but it is a fact, that not a single glass bottle was supplied for collecting purposes, empty pickle bottles were all we had, and rum as preservative for the ship’s stores. Anderson, Charles Roberts. Melville in the South Seas. New York: Columbia University Press, 1939. Melville joined the navy in August 1843, and joined the United States in Honolulu in 1844, spending fourteen months on U.S. naval duty between Honolulu and Boston, arriving there in October 1844. p. 358, in Honolulu: The next thirty days were spent preparing for the homeward-bound cruise. A number of men and officers whose terms of service had not expired were transferred to ships that were to remain on the station. Among these were Midshipmen Samuel R.
    [Show full text]
  • Elatu's Funeral
    ARCTIC VOL. 67, NO. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2014) P. 340 – 346 http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic4401 Elatu’s Funeral: A Glimpse of Inughuit-American Relations on Robert E. Peary’s 1898 – 1902 Expedition GENEVIEVE LeMOINE1 (Received 5 February 2014; accepted in revised form 15 March 2014) ABSTRACT. In January 1901, American explorer Robert E. Peary was an active participant in an Inughuit funeral following the death of a young woman at his base at Fort Conger, Ellesmere Island. Peary’s unpublished account of the funeral is the most detailed description of an Inughuit funeral before the introduction of Christianity and agrees in most details with other accounts of funerals from the region. Additionally, along with Peary’s and Dr. T.S. Dedrick’s journal entries from that time, the funeral and the circumstances surrounding it provide insight into the complex relationships between Peary, his American companions, Dedrick and Matthew Henson, and the Inughuit men and women who overwintered with them at Fort Conger. Key words: Inughuit, Robert E. Peary, funeral, Matthew Henson, Fort Conger, Quttinirpaaq National Park, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut RÉSUMÉ. En janvier 1901, l’explorateur américain Robert E. Peary a joué un rôle dans les funérailles d’une Inughuite après le décès d’une jeune femme à sa base de Fort Conger, sur l’île d’Ellesmere. Le récit inédit de Robert Peary à propos des funérailles constitue la description la plus détaillée de funérailles inughuites avant l’avènement du christianisme, et la plupart des détails coïncident avec d’autres récits de funérailles de la région. Grâce au récit de Robert Peary et à celui du Dr T.S.
    [Show full text]
  • A Kentucky Clay Goes to the Arctic
    IN SEARCH OF A STAR: A KENTUCKY CLAY GOES TO THE ARCTIC Lindsey Apple 'n the spring of 1880, the prosecuting attorney, of Louisville shocked the city by announcing that he would resign his elected . office to join Henry Howgate on an expedition to the Arctic. A rising star in the rough-and-tumble politics of Kentucky's largest city, he had won the office in a hard-fought campaign. He had shown considerable political energy, a quick wit, and oratorical ability in overcoming campaign rhetoric attacking his family and its prominence. Charles D. Jacob, the mayor of Louisville, was surprised at the announcement and perhaps a little embarrassed since he had helped the young man, his nephew, in the 1878 canvass. No doubt his law partners and associates, such as Basil Duke, A.E. Richards, and John Baskin, were equally surprised. The young man had shown remarkable talent as a criminal lawyer, reminiscent of another famous Kentuckian to whom he was frequently compared. His mother was aghast. She thought he was throwing away his career, his life, and his soul as well. The young man was not to be deterred. He intended to join Henry Howgate in an effort to establish a permanent colony on Lady Franklin Bay and to explore the Arctic. Ambitious, restless, and perhaps reckless as well, he was in search of manly adventure, fame, and fortune. But what role could a slightly built, inexperienced landlubber from Kentucky play on an Arctic expedition? Why would a young man with a bright future in law and politics want to go to the Arctic in the first place? The answers to these questions reveal a great deal about nineteenth-century Arctic exploration and about the burdens carried LINDSEV APPLE, PHD.
    [Show full text]