The Disappearance
The Lorne Knight Diary provides an intimate and detailed account of life and decision-making during an Arctic expedition on Wrangel Island, offering invaluable insights into the daily challenges, strategic planning, and perceptions of the environment by the explorers. One of the most striking revelations from Knight's diary is the description of Arctic winter nights, illuminated by noonlight bright enough to allow the spotting of a polar bear from half a mile away. This detail not only illustrates the unique conditions of the Arctic environment but also addresses misconceptions regarding the explorers' alleged laziness or incompetence in bear hunting. Knight clarifies that the absence of night watches for this purpose was not due to negligence; rather, it was a strategic choice stemming from an absence of food scarcity fears.
Further into the diary, Knight documents the meticulous planning involved in preparing for a significant expedition to Nome, scheduled to begin around January 15th, 1953. The decision to undertake this journey was contingent upon a multitude of factors, including ice conditions, dog feed, weather, and the potential movements of Vilhjalmur Stefansson, another explorer who might be wintering on the mainland. This passage highlights the explorers' adaptability and thorough consideration of environmental and logistical factors in their planning process. Their readiness to adjust plans based on new information, such as Stefansson's movements, exemplifies a pragmatic approach to survival in the unpredictable Arctic.
Knight's entries also reflect confidence in their provisions and strategies, dispelling criticisms and illustrating a deep understanding of Arctic survival tactics. The explorers' strategic considerations, as detailed in the diary, reveal a level of pragmatism and adaptability crucial for navigating the harsh conditions of Wrangel Island. Through Knight's candid reflections, the diary corrects misconceptions about the motivations and capabilities of Arctic explorers, showcasing their resilience and strategic planning.
The contents of a letter dated January 4th, 1923, from Wrangel Island, offer a revealing look into the strategic decisions and daily realities faced by Arctic explorers. Written by Allan Rudyard Crawford, the letter is addressed to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, detailing Crawford's rationale for leaving the island and entrusting its charge to Maurer. Crawford explains that the scarcity of game and minerals, as well as the impracticality of fox trapping without a schooner, contributed to the decision. He expresses that staying the winter with limited dog feed and the unlikelihood of trapping sufficient foxes to be profitable did not warrant the risk.
The letter also conveys Crawford's advice on trapping and expeditionary tactics, suggesting that Maurer and Galle, both noted as competent workers, could provide reliable information and assistance. He recommends Galle for his expertise on the trail, particularly in the challenging Arctic conditions.
Ada is mentioned in the letter as well, though Crawford dismissively refers to her as "not extra as a sewing-woman," indicating a potential undervaluation of her role or skills.
Crawford's letter also foreshadows the treacherous nature of their situation, mentioning Knight's return from a trip in a weakened state due to scurvy and the insufficiency of their five dogs for the intended journey. The letter closes with an emphasis on the uncertainty of their plans, highlighting the harsh realities of survival and decision-making in the Arctic environment.
From the last section of the letter you can tell that Steffanson might not have trained his protege an adequate amount or maybe realized the treacherous nature of the exploration. Regardless, the letter sheds light on lack of judgment stemming from Crawford and Lorde for which we can say with hindsight.
Citations:
1) Dartmouth College Library. “Stefansson-Wrangel Expedition: Diplomatic Edition.” Dartmouth College, 24 Feb. 2024 https://n2t.net/ark:/83024/d4bg2hh6z
2) Dartmouth College Library. “Stefansson-Wrangel Expedition: Display.” FromThePage, 25 Sept. 2007 https://fromthepage.com/dartmouthlibrary/wrangelisland/stefansson-wrangel-09-25-007/display/32455065