Arctic Explorations
The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853, '54, '55

First published in 1856, this two-volume work describes the second Grinnell expedition (1853–5) in search of Sir John Franklin.

Elisha Kent Kane (Author)

9781108041416, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 December 2011

496 pages, 153 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.63 kg

Elisha Kent Kane (1820–57) was a medical officer in the United States Navy, best known for the so-called 'Grinnell voyages' to the Arctic in search of Sir John Franklin's expedition. Originally published in 1856, this two-volume work documents his second expedition, between 1853 and 1855, during which his ship became ice-bound, and he and his men survived by adopting Inuit survival skills, such as hunting, sledge-driving and hut-building. In Volume 1, Kane recounts the dangers posed by icebergs, glaciers and fluctuating tides, which led to his ship's entrapment, and records his impressions of the Inuit whom he later relied on for survival. Along with extensive illustrations of the animals, terrain and people encountered on his mission, and a useful glossary of Arctic terms, Kane's writings reveal his own controversial personality as well as his relationship with the Inuit and his admiration for their skills.

Preface
Glossary of Arctic terms
1. Organisation
2. Fiskernaes
3. Coast of Greenland
4. Boring the floes
5. Crimson cliffs of Beverley
6. Closing with the ice
7. The Eric on a berg
8. Tracking
9. The depot journey
10. Approaching winter
11. The observatory
12. Leaping a chasm
13. Walrus-holes
14. Magnetic observatory
15. Arctic observations
16. Preparation
17. Baker's death
18. An exploration
19. Progress of the party
20. Seal-hunting
21. Progress of season
22. Mr Bonsall's return
23. Morton's return
24. Prospects
25. Working on
26. The ice-foot in August
27. Discipline
28. The Esquimaux
29. Walrus-grounds
30. Journey of Morton and Hans
31. An aurora
32. Esquimaux sledges.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]