Financial Fumbles
Despite Stefansson's projection of wealth and confidence, behind the scenes, the Wrangel Island expedition lacked funding from the start. There was a discrepancy in how, when, and how much several expedition members would be paid. Although Stefansson projected a very confident and wealthy image, it is clear that the foundation for the expedition was less solid than he externally conveyed. In this context, the disasterous fate of the expedition is much less suprising. Upon investigation of various Rauner's primary sources, the financial framework of the expedition was quite shaky, and much of the expedition's payouts were contingent on striking resources on Wrangel. As a result, cash was not available to help when the expedition members became stranded on Wrangel Island.
Committee of the Privy Council Report: August 21st, 1922
Potential financial gain was a major motivator for the Wrangel Island mission. Ironically, a lack of finances partially led to the death of several expedition members. Despite promises of huge profit and a seemingly strong financial backing, amidst worries about the fate of the expedition Stefansson failed to bring forward the money needed to potentially save several expedition members' lives. In this letter, Stefansson is granted $3,000 dollars "to assist in providing for the relief" of the expedition members stranded on the island. The letter references that Stefansson admitted that the expedition was in danger, and that things were not going as planned. Depite this admission coming before this letter was penned on August 21st, 1922, in a seperate letter written by Stefansson in early 1923 he publically insists that the expedition members are safe and not "stranded" of Wrangel. This dicotomy highlights the disparity between Stefansson's external confidence and internal strife.
Letter from Alfred Taylor to Stefansson's Secretary: July 24th, 1923
This document follows up on the last letter. It also shows how Stefansson's lack of financial stability hindered rescue effors. Behind the scenes, Stefansson was lacking the money for the expedition from the start, and his situation did not improve as the epedition became stranded. This letter, written about Stefansson to his secretary, shows that rescue effors were at risk of being horbored due to shady finances. Although Stefansson projected a very confident and weathly image, it is clear that his finances available for the expedition was less solid than he externally conveyed.