Death During Expedition
Nearing the end of our exhibition, this page is dedicated to the circumstances leading up to and aftermath of Frederick Maurer's death. While current research lacks explicit details informing Maurer's cause of death, many speculate that harsh weather conditions resulted in his tragic demise.
The provided letter from Allan Crawford details the wherabouts of Frederick Maurer leading up to his death. Leading up to the departure of Crawford, Galle, and Maurer, a rescue ship had failed to bring them the supplies and access to leave that they desperately needed. As expressed in the letter below, the participants of the expedition had faced a serious of unfortunate circumstances resulting in a desire to leave the island; Crawford specifies that "game is scarce" and "fossils a few" (Page 1). Due to scarce food resources, harsh weather conditions, and unforeseen sickness, Crawford elected himself to lead a search trip for food, help, and additional resources. Despite Knight's contracted illness and Crawford writing that he "would like to leave [Maurer or Galle] with Knight", Knight was left alone with Ada Blackjack (Page 3). Indeed, Crawford thought of Maurer and Galle's previous expedition experience as crucial to their search- Notably, Crawford wrote that "Maurer and Galle are both good workers and...have done there best," (Page 2).
As a result of the aforementioned circumstances, Crawford, Maurer, and Galle departed from their site towards the southern coast of Siberia. Exhibiting honorable bravery and determination, they left with no secure path out of Wrangel Island, yet saw no better solution to resolve their friend's sickness. They attempted to cross the frozen Chukchi Sea to reach Siberia, traveling approximately 90 miles to find the resources to sustain their expedition; they were never seen again. The exact causes of their deaths are unknown, implying that the three were either lost, attacked by Arctic wildlife, or vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. Maurer is survived by his "Belvedere" typescript collection, accounting his experiences as the lone survivor of a prior arctic expedition.
Letter from Allan R. Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 23 January 1923
The introductory page of Crawford's letter reveals the treacherous conditions of Wrangel Island and how their team has adjusted since arrival. As a result of the unfavorable conditions, Crawford writes his intent to leave the island.
Letter from Allan R. Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 23 January 1923
Page 3 concludes this letter, specifying why Crawford takes both Maurer and Galle along with him (despite Knight's illness).
Letter from Allan R. Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 23 January 1923
Page 2 of Crawford's letter to Stefansson explores Crawford's intentions to travel south along Siberian coast. It also reviews the performance of Ada Blackjack, Maurer, Gaulle, and Knight, revealing Knight's contraction of scurvy.