Expedition Relics
Digitized exhibition
Introduction
For over a century, there was a great interest in organizing expeditions to Greenland.
The evidence of these expeditions along Avannaarsua is reflected in the objects left behind by 19 American, British and Danish expeditions carried out between 1853 and 1934. These expeditions all followed the infamous John Franklin expedition that mysteriously disappeared in 1845 in the Canadian Arctic. Despite all these expeditions, by the beginning of the 20th century much of the northern North America continent, including large portions of Greenland still remained a geopolitical void. Exploration and establishing a presence in these unmapped areas were linked to territorial claims.
Several of the places where the exhibition's objects were found also played a crucial role in the region's political history. These places were named, and national flags symbolically planted by Europeans and Americans. Although the Inughuit had long inhabited the coastal areas of northwestern Greenland, the lasting impact of these early expeditions is reflected in the many place names related to European and American expedition leaders, economic donors, and home countries.
Mapping the country's northern regions on the world map
In 1852, Edward Inglefield sailed into the Arctic to search for John Franklin's ill-fated 1845 expedition. Franklin’s journey was supposed to last for 3 years. In addition to trying to locate the Northwest Passage, he and his crew were tasked with investigating geomagnetism in the high latitudes. The two ships from the Franklin Expedition, the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror were last seen in Baffin Bay in the summer of 1845.
In the years that followed the disappearance of the Franklin expedition, numerous exploration and rescue missions were organized. Although they never found Franklin and his crew, these expeditions resulted in the discovery of basins and channels extending 500 kilometers to the north. These discoveries also contributed to the realization that Greenland is an island and that the inland ice (Sermersuaq) ends around 82°N. This also meant that the geographic North Pole did not lie on solid land but on drifting ice floes in a vast arctic sea (Issittup imaa). The Denmark Expedition (1906-1908) established that Peary Land was a peninsula connected to Greenland and therefore the US could not claim the area on the grounds that the American Robert Peary was the first explorer to reach the area.
British Expeditions
During the 19th and early 20th century a total of two British expeditions were sent to explore the Arctic region.
British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876) This expedition attempted to reach the North Pole via the Smith Sound. However, it only managed to reach 83°N, north of Ellesmere Island. The strait between Greenland and Ellesmere Island in Nunavut is now called Nares Strait, named after Captain Nares, who led the expedition. The expedition was the first to map the coasts along the strait. The results finally confirmed that Greenland and North America were not part of the same landmass but separated by the Nares Strait and the Arctic Ocean. The expedition faced harsh conditions. After only one year, four of the crew had died and the rest were starving and suffering from scurvy. Britain withdrew from the race to reach the North Pole first and did not send any more expeditions through the Nares Strait for the next 59 years.
Oxford University Ellesmere Land Expedition (1934-1935) The expedition's goal was to explore new land areas and waterways on Ellesmere Island. At Siorapaluk, the expedition hired two local Inughuit as guides, Nukagpiannguaq and Inuutersuaq Uvdloriaq. Both men had previously worked as sled drivers, hunters, and guides for other expeditions. The two men's wives, Inalúnguaq and Naduk also traveled with the group. The expedition, among other discoveries, found uniform rock formations on both sides of the strait, suggesting that Greenland and Nunavut had been connected as a single landmass in the far distant past.
Parts for a sled with the dowels still intact originating from the British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876). These parts are assumed to be unused and may have been manufactured during the expedition. In addition to pencil strokes, there is an inscription with the name 'Polo', and the less distinct word, 'Marco', found below it.
Marco Polo was the name of a sled used by another British expedition in their attempt to reach the North Pole over the ice in 1876, which coincided with the British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876).
Discovered near a British depot camp at Cape Morton, Washington-Land, the barrel ends and stave are believed to originate from the British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876). The pieces were found nearby each other. Their shape and size suggest they were originally connected.
Una assakaasoq tuluit suliffeqarsissuanit DUNLOP-iminngaaneersuuvoq. Assakaasoq nassaarineqarmat asswqqissaavanik aappaqarsimagaluarpoq, qularnanngitsumik qamutinut amuartakkanut imaluunniit ajattartakkanut atuuffeqarsimasinnaapput, Oxford University Ellesmere Land Expedition-iminngaanneersuupput (1934-1935).
The cans left by the British Arctic Expedition (1875-76) show bite marks from a polar bear. Holes are found around the rim of both cans, and a single hole at the bottom. The punctures not deep, suggesting the bear may have been just curious about the cans.The cans left by the British Arctic Expedition (1875-76) show bite marks from a polar bear. Holes are found around the rim of both cans, and a single hole at the bottom. The punctures not deep, suggesting the bear may have been just curious about the cans.
Buttons made of wood from the British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876). Clear tooth marks can be seen on both the front and back of the buttons, likely from a small animal gnawing on the buttons.
The brass lamp, designed for cooking, was used by explorers during the British Arctic Expedition in 1875. The lamp also served as a light and heat source during the dark months of winter quartering.
American Expeditions
During the 19th and early 20th century a total of fourteen American expeditions were sent to explore different parts of the circumpolar North. Two important expeditions that reached Greenland were:
The United States North Polar Expedition (1871-73) This expedition attempted to reach the North Pole. The first leg of the journey was undertaken with the steamship USS Polaris, which set sail from Brooklyn in 1871 and passed by Qimusseriarsuaq.
The USS Polaris reached a latitude of 82°N, setting a record at the time. Anchoring for the winter, the rest of the expedition was to be conducted by sled. However, expedition leader Charles F. Hall died, and the expedition had to turn back. In Smith Sound, west of the Humboldt Glacier, the ship ran aground and could not be freed. Nineteen members of the crew were separated from the ship and drifted on an ice floe for six months before being rescued.
North Greenland Expedition (1893-95) This expedition attempted to map the northeastern coastline of the mainland, the northern islands, and be the first to reach the North Pole, while exploring the inland ice and the northern part of Greenland. Robert Peary, who had previously led a similar journey two years before was the leader of the expedition. This expedition experimented with new methods that included donkeys for transportation and carrier pigeons as messengers, in addition to traditional dog sleds. They traveled by dog sled across the Greenland ice sheet. After a month and a half of travel, the group returned with severe frostbite, snow blindness, and exhaustion. Peary had to abandon the plan after only making it a quarter of the way to the North Pole. The following year, a second attempt was made, but exploration further north along Independence Fjord proved impossible due to exhaustion and a lack of supplies for the return journey.
Fasteners made of whale bone and ivory were important materials used in the construction of Inuit dog sleds. These parts functioned to lash the sled together and were integral to its design. These fasteners originate from the Crocker Land Expedition (1913-1917).
This engraved wooden board originates from the United States North Polar Expedition (1871-1873). It was fashioned by the USS Polaris boatswain, Hubbard C. Chester. It marked the location of a buried copper cylinder ten feet east of a cairn marker.
Piece from a pair of snow goggles. Found at Thank God Harbour where the United States North Polar Expedition overwintered from 1871-1872. Snow goggles underscore the importance of eye protection in the Arctic where the light is so intense it can cause blindness when it reflects off the snow.
The incandescent projector lamp was used during the Crocker Land Expedition (1913-1917). The fuel tank and stand were recovered but the rest of the components were missing. The lamp, emitting a powerful light, became a characteristic feature of overwintering in the North.
Peary's Expeditions
Robert Peary (b. 1856- d.1920) was an American explorer and leader of seven Arctic expeditions, all exploring the northernmost regions of Greenland and Ellesmere Island. During his life, Peary worked relentlessly to be the first to reach the North Pole.
Peary was one of the first expedition leaders in the Arctic to work closely with the Inughuit. He hired local hunters as guides and dog sled drivers, and his expeditions extensively relied on their knowledge of traditional clothing, hunting, and survival in the cold Arctic regions.
In 1909, after several attempts, Peary finally reached the North Pole. During the long sled journey, he received help from several Inughuit hunters. Among others, Otaq Qujaukitsoq, who was the eldest participant among 39 Inughuit. When he reached the pole, Peary was accompanied by Matthew Henson, Oodaaq and his brother Iggiannguaq, as well as Sigdluk and Ukujaaq (two young men in their twenties). Some of Peary's most famous expeditions were the North Greenland Expedition in 1893-1895 and the meteor expeditions in 1896 and 1897. On these trips, Peary's collected several enormous meteorites at Savissivik near Cape York and sold them to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The locations of the meteorites came from local Inughuit. The meteorites had been an important source of iron for constructing tools and hunting weapons for the local people for generations.
Two arms from an Inuit fishing spear found at Red Cliff House, where the North Greenland Expedition (1891-1892) had stayed. These pieces are made of caribou antler, their flexibility beneficial for catching fish of various sizes.
Two harpoon parts, a line tightener (saviffik) and a harpoon foreshaft (ipuligaq), both carved from ivory. Both pieces were important components of the traditional Inuit harpoon. The fore shaft has been reworked into a spearhead for the game ajagaq. The line tightener was used to tighten the line (saggutaq) that held the fore shaft and harpoon head together in place. The line was usually made of seal skin. These items were left behind during the North Greenland Expedition (1893-1895).
Part of a shovel from the Peary Arctic Club Expedition (1905-1906). The shovel head has a "U.S." stamp on the front of the handle, a maker’s mark of the U.S. government. Peary left the shovel behind during his attempt to reach the North Pole.
Robert Peary's bolo machete from the Peary Arctic Club Expedition (1905-1906). Peary's machete has a distinct notch in the blade near the tip. The machete’s weight made it a powerful cutting tool and it was assumed to have been used as a snow and ice knife.
After spanning 23 years, led by Admiral Robert Peary in April 1909, they managed to achieve the first successful expedition to the North Pole. His crew, pictured here, included Sigdluk, Oodaaq, Iggiannguaq, Ukujaaq and Matthew Henson.
Danish Expeditions
During the 19th and early 20th century a total of three Danish expeditions from the Danish Government were sent to establish sovereignty in the area and to map the northern coastal areas of Greenland.
The Danish Literary Greenland Expedition (1902-1904) This expedition’s goal was to establish a connection between the two inhabited regions of Kitaa and Avanersuaq by reopening the sled route over Qimusseriarsuaq. It was also tasked with collecting knowledge of the Inughuit culture. This expedition ultimately had a geopolitical purpose, by opening the route it would unify all of Greenland under the Kingdom of Denmark. Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen, Knud Rasmussen, Harald Moltke, and Alfred Berthelsen documented the customs, myths, and traditions of the peoples along the way, as well as public health and a focus on life in Avanersuaq.
The 2nd Thule Expedition (1916-1918) This expedition conducted topographical and geological surveys in the area between Independence Fjord and Nordenskiöld Fjord, as well as exploring the unmapped portions of the northern Greenland coastline and fjord systems, including Qimusseriarsuaq. The expedition's crew included Knud Rasmussen, Lauge Koch, Thorkild Wulff, as well as Ajako, Najaitsordluarsuk, Inukitsoq, and Hendrik Olsen from West Greenland. Inuit accompanied the expedition as sled drivers and hunters.
The expedition was challenged by bad weather and poor hunting. During a hunt to procure food, Hendrik Olsen disappeared without a trace on an island north of Warming Land, now known as Hendrik Island. During the return journey, Wulff could not continue further and perished.
A qulleq (blubber lamp), made of copper, was found at Dragon Point on the northern tip of Hendrik Island, believed to originate from the 2nd Thule Expedition (1916-1918). Although the expedition brought Primus stoves, the copper qulleq may have been used as another source of heat and light during the journey.
A kettle from the 2nd Thule Expedition (1916-1918) left behind at Hendrik Island.
A seal skin mitten with polar bear fur sewn into the cuff. The mitten was found near Illuluarsuit, where the Jubilee Expedition (1920-1923) was located. The mitten was designed to be worn with an inner glove. The hand-stitching is still in good condition without holes in the seams, making it waterproof.
This cinematograph belonged to Thorkild Wulff, a participant in the 2nd Thule Expedition. It was a hand-crank camera that rested on a tripod. It was partially disassembled in June 1917, and parts of the tripod were used to make snowshoes. The camera itself was taken to Cape Benét camp, where the lens was removed, leaving only the camera housing and accessories behind. These items were exposed to the open air for almost seventy years.
There are recordings filmed by Wulff from this camera from Kitaa up to Avanersuaq, where the expedition began.
There are recordings filmed by Wulff from this camera from Kitaa up to Avanersuaq, where the expedition began.
