In the same article are expressed sentiments in accord with those contained in this book, viz.: “If the simple and necessary precaution had been taken of stationing a depot-ship in a good harbor at the entrance of Smith’s Sound, in annual communication with Greely on one side and with America on the other, there would have been no disaster. If precautions proved to be necessary by experience are taken, there is no undue risk or danger in polar enterprises. There is no question as to the value and importance of polar discovery, and as to the principles on which expeditions should be sent out. Their objects are exploration for scientific purposes and the encouragement of maritime enterprise.”
CONTENTS.
PAGE [I. Early Life] 7 [II. Army-Life in Arizona] 20 [III. Army-Life in Nebraska] 31 [IV. Army-Life in Kansas] 43 [V. Army-Life in Indian Territory and Colorado] 52 [VI. Preparing for the Arctic Regions] 58 [VII. From Newfoundland to Lady Franklin Bay] 64 [VIII. House-building and Local Explorations] 87 [IX. Preliminary Sledge Expeditions and Life at the Station] 111 [X. “The Arctic Moon”] 132 [XI. Expedition to Lockwood Island] 139 [XII. From Lockwood Island to Lady Franklin Bay] 178 [XIII. Waiting and Watching] 194 [XIV. Resuming a Desperate Struggle] 229 [XV. Across Grinnell Land] 249 [XVI. Preparing for Home] 279 [XVII. Homeward Bound] 286 [XVIII. The Final Catastrophe] 296 [XIX. The Woeful Return] 317
ILLUSTRATIONS.
[Portrait of James B. Lockwood.] [Lockwood, Natives, and Kyack at Disco, Greenland.] [Sledging over the Arctic Floe.] [Taking Observations at Lockwood Island.] [Lockwood’s Corner.] [Map showing Lockwood’s Explorations.]
FARTHEST NORTH.
I.
EARLY LIFE.
In the following pages, it is proposed to record the personal history of an American hero whose fortune it was, at the sacrifice of his life, to visit and explore the utmost limit in the Arctic regions ever attained by human skill and enterprise. Aside from the information communicated to me by his family, the materials placed in my hands consist of his private correspondence and various journals which he faithfully kept while serving his country on the Western frontiers, as well as in the inhospitable domain of the North. As the poet Fitz-Greene Halleck wrote about a kindred character—
“He lived, as mothers wish their sons to live,”
and, on the score of fidelity to duty,