ARCTIC TRAGEDY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 1, 3 September 1923, Page 5

ARCTIC TRAGEDY

EXPLORERS', HARD FATE. ALONE ON WRANCEL ISLAND. ESKIMO WOMAN RESCUED. (United Service). (Received 9.35 a.m.) Now York, September 2. Another terrible tragedy is reported from the Arctic. Commander Stefansson two summers ago sent an expedition to occupy Wrangoi Islaaid. Las* year's* relief ship failed to reach them on account, of ice. This year's expedition was successful in breasting the barrier, and returned home reporting that all were dea<s goccept an Eskimo woman. The party had starved and endured awful sufferings, iuicludtng scurvy. The dead include Allan Crawford, son of a professor at Toronto University, loader of the party, and his three companions,—Maurer, Knight and Gallo.

Stefan sson sent the party to take possession of the Island with the intention of making it a round-the-ufuirld aeroplanei station. Knight, who was an old-time experienced explorer with Stefausson on other expeditions, became ill last winter, so Crawford, dalle and Maurer attempted to reach the shore of Siberia hoping to bring aid. They started over the ice and were never seen again. and undoubtedly perished of starvation.

Knight lived until June this year, being tended by the- Eskimo woman, who alone was. left when the rescue party arrived last week. The first object that met the rescuers was a bottle containing a record of the. raising of the British Flag and proclaiming th« island under the sovereignty of Britain gince August, 192&