stefansson-wrangel-09-17-012

Stefansson Arctic Ex

December 19, 1922.

Dear Mrs. Crawford:

I have had no further news from Captain Bernard but am supposing that he is on his way and that he will turn up soon. If he has any additional news I shall let you know.

A recent development is that some moving picture people are here in New York who are going up to Bering Straits to take pictures next summer. They want to make arrangements with me for visiting Wrangel Island. I am waiting to see Joe Bernard before deciding whether to deal with them. In any event, we shall make the attempt at least a month earlier than last year.

I did not see the statement in the Toronto Star of October 23rd about the delay in sailing this year being due to the slowness of the Government. That was true, however. As a matter of fact, I was able to get money enough to charter the schooner a few days before the Government money came through, so that the Teddy Bear would have sailed two or three days later than she did had we been depending on the Government only. I suppose that next year it may help if you make representations to the Government but it is too far ahead now to do anything. They forget things in a few days.

I shall discuss with Captain Bernard the question of his trading on his return voyage from Wrangel Island, in case he is the one engaged to go up there next year. I don't think such trading would be likely to delay the ship much or to get her frozen in unless they were to turn west along the coast. If they merely sailed straight from Wrangel Island to the vicinity of East Cape, stopping to trade would be quite safe unless it were very late in the season.

I shall write you again after seeing Captain Bernard.

Mrs. J. T. Crawford, 168 Walmer Road, Toronto, Ontario.