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Lake Alexandra looking west, June, 1882 / G.W. Rice, photo.

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Lake Alexandra looking west, June, 1882 / G.W. Rice, photo.

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Summary

Photograph shows snow-covered lake surrounded by rock formations during polar expedition to Lady Franklin Bay.

No. 55.

The Lady Franklin Bay Expedition was an Arctic exploration mission led by Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely of the United States Army Signal Corps. The expedition took place from 1881 to 1884 and aimed to gather scientific data and explore the northernmost regions of Greenland. The expedition was named after Lady Jane Franklin, the widow of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer who disappeared in the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage. Lady Franklin funded the mission in the hope of finding information about her husband's fate. The team of 25 men, known as the Greely Expedition, established a scientific station at Lady Franklin Bay on the north coast of Greenland. They carried out a variety of scientific studies, including meteorology, magnetism and geology. They also attempted to reach the North Pole. However, the expedition faced many challenges and hardships. The team had limited supplies and had to contend with harsh Arctic conditions, including extreme cold and long periods of darkness. Food shortages became a major problem and several men died of starvation and exposure. In 1883, a relief expedition was sent to resupply the team, but it failed to reach them due to impassable ice conditions. The Greely expedition was stranded for another year, enduring even more hardship. Finally, in 1884, a rescue mission led by Captain Winfield Scott Schley managed to reach the survivors. However, only six of the original 25 men had survived. The rest had either died or been killed during the expedition. Despite the tragic outcome, the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition made a significant contribution to scientific knowledge of the Arctic. The data collected by the team contributed to a better understanding of polar weather patterns and magnetic phenomena. The expedition also highlighted the dangers and challenges of Arctic exploration and led to improvements in the planning and logistics of future expeditions.

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Date

01/01/1882
person

Contributors

Rice, G. W. (George W.), photographer
place

Location

arctic regions
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Source

Library of Congress
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Copyright info

No known restrictions on publication.

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