Frederick Maurer Conclusion
"Don't let anyone tell you that the Arctic is dangerous. Our school geographies are highly misleading...Arctic exploration is dangerous, just about dangerous as living in New Philadelphia. There is your answer to anyone who questions the safety of living in the north."
- Frederick Maurer in a letter to his newphew David Maurer, September 3, 1921
Frederick Maurer, third-in-command on the Wrangel Island expedition, was driven by his passion for exploration and the Arctic. Prior to the expedition, he had traveled to the Arctic before on one of Stefansson's missions, the Canadian Arctic expedition led between 1911 and 1912. Despite barely surviving his Canadian expedition, Maurer was still ready to venture back North. He stayed in contact with Stefansson, appealing to him for involvement in any future Arctic exploration or commercialization. When given the opportunity to explore Wrangel Island, Maurer immediately accepted, and even invested a large sum in Stefansson's company. His final letters to his loved ones prior to the expedition prove his unwavering commitment to Stefansson and the Arctic, despite its impending risks.
Maurer and the remaining expedition members were relatively young and inexperienced, and as a result entered the expedition overconfident and underprepared. Maurer felt assured from his personal comfort and prior expedition experience, expressing confidence in having sufficient food and resources to not just survive, but thrive on Wrangel Island. Quickly, primary resources prove that their initial expectations were met with grave disappointment.
Ultimately, resources gradually dwindled and the expedition members suffered greatly in the hostile Arctic conditions. A sick expedition member garnered concerns across the group, prompting a more urgent quest for external aid. When a relief ship failed to deliver supplies, Maurer joined Crawford and Galle in January, 1923, to walk over the pack ice to Siberia for help. They were never seen again.
Upon reflection, both the Canadian Arctic Expedition and the Wrangel Island Expedition were marred with controversy (specifically in regards to Steffansson's pre-departure preparation). In the former, some argue that the sinking of the Karluk was fated due to its wood composition, rather than steel. In the latter, Stefansson found his reputation greatly worsened by his sponsoring of men who were underprepared, lacking technical skills to survive harsh Arctic winters alone. One must wonder how the lives of Maurer, Crawford, Knight, Galle, and others may have been changed, and possibly saved, by more thoughtful preparation.
Ultimately, Frederick Maurer represents the culminating spirit of a different, but massively important era in human history– the era of exploration. Maurer placed the enrichment of human understanding above his own life not once, but twice. He bravely walked into the unknown, understanding risks and daring to defeat them. Frederick Mauer, despite his tragic end, is one to be emulated for all.