New Lands
Early in 1915 the advance exploration parties began travelling
north from Banks Island by dog sled over the sea ice, between the Arctic islands,
supporting themselves by hunting seals, caribou, and muskoxen. The men and women
of Stefansson's Northern Party established new winter camps on Melville Island;
from there smaller parties explored and discovered new lands as far north as
79o North.
The major islands discovered in 1915 were Brock and Borden Islands (and
what is now Mackenzie King Island). With Stefansson in the discovery party were
Andreasen, Storkersen, and Thomsen.
Stefansson came south to Kellett Base in the summer of 1915
and purchased yet another ship, the schooner Polar Bear. Meanwhile Wilkins and
North Star assisted the Southern Party before they headed to the northwest coast
of Banks Island. Polar Bear wintered at Armstrong Point on Victoria Island. From
there Storkersen travelled east along Victoria Island's northern coast, mapping
parts of the coastline for the first time.
"Two successful maternity cases had occurred at Kellett! Thomsen had another
son [actually the 1st] and Storkerson a daughter, all well." (George Wilkins
diary, August 17, 1915)
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