1885 · Newburyport, Ma.
by [Greely Arctic Expedition]: [Arctic Photographica]
Newburyport, Ma.: S.C. Ree, 1885. Cabinet photograph, mounted on card, 5 x 8 inches. Minor edge wear, two later presentation inscriptions and photographer's studio stamp on verso. Very good. A rare cabinet card photograph picturing the members of the ill-fated Greely Arctic Expedition. Greely led a scientific expedition aboard the Proteus to Lady Franklin Bay in 1881. He and his crew were stranded at Fort Conger on Ellesmere Island without supplies. Nineteen of the twenty- five crew members would perish in the Arctic, and one more would die on the journey home after Greely's party was rescued near Cape Sabine. Rumors of cannibalism would haunt the survivors of the expedition for the rest of their lives. Pictured here are several of the expedition members, including Adolphus Greely, just before they departed. The standing men are identified as follows: D. Schneider, D. Cross, D. Linn, S. Long, S. Frederick, D. Henry, S. Connell, D. Bender, D. Salor, S. Bierdersack, D. Gardner, D. Ellis, and D. Ralston; and the men seated are identified, from left to right, as: S. Brainard, D. Keslingbury, S. Greeley (leader), D. Lockwood, D. Israil, D. Jewell, and D. Rice
(Inventory #: WRCAM54151)