stefansson-wrangel-09-38-002-001

Wrangel Island

ICE CONDITIONS ROUND WRANGEL ISLAND

As there seems to he some difference of opinion regarding
the period during which it is possible to reach Wrangel Island
by ship, it may not be out of place for a member of the Wrangel
Island expedition of 1924 to set forth the available data on
the subject, supplemented by certain observations derived therefrom.

Wrangel Island was first sighted on August 6, 1849, by Captain
Henry Kellett, R. N., of H. M. S. Herald. As the Herald was a sailing-
vessel, Captain Kellett probably sailed through Bering Sea early
in July. He did not attempt to land upon Wrangel, but made a
landing on a smaller island, 38 miles east of Wrangel, to which
he gave the name, "Herald".

The first known persons of any individuality set foot on Wrangel Island were (See Wrangel book) a party
from the U. S. S. Corwin, who landed on August 12, 1881, and
took formal possession for the United States.

The King and Winge, which rescued the Karluk survivors in
1914, arrived at Wrangel Island on September 7, after other
vessels had previously been turned back by ice.

The Silver Wave, carrying the Crawford party in 1921, arrived
there on September 15, having seen no ice en route.

The following year, Captain Bernard, sailing from Nome on
August 20, found heavy ice all along the Siberian coast, and,
although he made a determined attempt, failed to get through.

On the other hand, the Donaldson arrived at Wrangel in 1923
on August 19 without experiencing any exceptional difficulty,
having followed the northern route across from Point Hope.

In 1924, the Russian ship Red October, sailing up along the
Siberian coast, arrived at Wrangel Island on August 26 20, also
apparently without much difficulty.