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Frederick Cook's polar journey: a reconstruction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

Randall J. Osczevski
Randall J. Osczevski
Affiliation:
22 Foothills Drive, Nepean, Ontario, CanadaK2H 6K3
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Abstract

The data used by Dr Frederick A. Cook in support of his claim to have reached the North Pole on 21 April 1908 are reinterpreted to support a hypothesis that Cook did not reach the Pole, that his journey towards the Pole lasted only one week, and thathe subsequently discovered and visited Meighen Island. This reconstruction explains how Dr Cook could have made observations of ice conditions and drift, and of an ice island, without having travelled far out on the Arctic Ocean. A possible reason for his failure to announce discovery of Meighen Island is also offered.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 26 , Issue 158 , July 1990 , pp. 225 - 232
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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