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Lädt ... Karluk (1976)von William Laird McKinlay
  
Keine Keine aktuelle Diskussion zu diesem Buch.  Castlelass | Oct 30, 2022 |   Puts paid to thoughts that the North Pole is a soft option compared to the South. (  ) pouleroulante | Jan 3, 2006 | Zeige 2 von 2 keine Rezensionen | Rezension hinzufügen
William Laird McKinlay was a twenty-five-year-old Scottish schoolteacher when he set out as meteorologist on this 1913 expedition to the Arctic. Barely before the expedition had begun Karluk, their ship, was crushed and sunk in ice. He narrates the story of the crew's nightmare struggle for survival in the face of ignorance, lack of leadership and appalling conditions. No attempt had been made to select the crew for compatibility or strength of character, and they were untrained in any skills essential to survival in the Arctic. So they were left stranded in the Arctic ice while their leader continued his northern exploration, not returning for five years. Eight men died moving across the heaving ice floes, one man shot himself, two died of malnutrition and the rest barely managed to keep alive until rescue came. The account of their ordeal is a deeply moving tribute to human courage and endurance and, above all, to man's overpowering will to live. Keine Bibliotheksbeschreibungen gefunden. |
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 Google Books — Lädt ...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)919.8History and Geography Geography and Travel Geography of and travel in Australasia, Pacific Ocean islands, Atlantic Ocean islands, Arctic islands, Antarctica and on extraterrestrial worlds Polar regionsKlassifikation der Library of Congress [LCC] (USA)BewertungDurchschnitt: (3.93)
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McKinlay calls attention to Stefansson’s abandonment of the Karluk’s crew, ostensibly to find food. He did not return, but showed up years later having discovered several islands, for which he was publicly lauded. This did not sit well with McKinlay. He wanted to set the record straight and recognize the heroism of Captain Robert Bartlett whom he credits with saving the lives of the remaining company. This book was published in 1976, when McKinlay was 88, relying on his journals, the journals of other participants, and interviews.
McKinlay’s account is straight-forward, tightly focused, compelling, and well-written. His account forms a harrowing tale of the struggle for survival, the constant hunt for food to stave off starvation, dealing with the elements, battling a puzzling disease, and figuring out how to get along with each other. It became increasingly difficult to fight isolation and loneliness. Working together became a challenge and led to tragedies.
I tend to devour these types of memoirs. It is astounding to me what these early explorers were able to accomplish, especially considering the equipment and clothing of the era, not to mention the lack of ability to easily communicate with the rest of the world. Recommended to those interested in the history of exploration or memoirs of survival in extreme conditions.
Memorable Quotes:
“So there we were, on 11 January 1914, perched on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, twenty-two men, one woman, two children, sixteen dogs and a cat.” (A cat – who knew cats were such intrepid arctic explorers? This is the second arctic-related book I’ve read recently that features a cat.)
“At night-time the condensation froze, and we slept in a miniature ice palace, crystals sparkling in the light, gleaming icicles hanging from the deck above, some several inches long.” (Expressively written for a scientist!)
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