Member-only story

The Lost Winter Patrol of 1910: A Tragic Tale of Exploration and Survival

Mario Vargas Llosa

·15.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Death Wins In The Arctic: The Lost Winter Patrol Of 1910

4 min read

332 View Claps

18 Respond

Save

Listen

Prologue

In the icy wilderness of the Canadian Arctic, a group of six courageous men embarked on a perilous mission that would forever etch their names in the annals of exploration history. Led by Sergeant Henry Stallworthy, the Lost Winter Patrol of 1910 set out to explore the uncharted reaches of Banks Island, unaware of the harrowing ordeal that lay ahead. Their journey would become a testament to human resilience, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of discovery.

The Mission

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had commissioned the patrol to investigate reports of Inuit hunters being terrorized by wolves on Banks Island. Stallworthy and his team, consisting of Constables John Fauntleroy, William Dempster, Albert Johnson, John Gould, and Fred Harper, were tasked with establishing a temporary camp and conducting a thorough investigation.

Death Wins in the Arctic: The Lost Winter Patrol of 1910

by Kerry Karram

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3295 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	233 pages

Equipped with sleds, dogs, and supplies for a three-month expedition, the patrol set off from Fort McPherson in December 1909. They traveled across frozen lakes, treacherous ice floes, and windswept tundra, their spirits high and their determination unwavering.

Disaster Strikes

As they approached Banks Island, the weather took a turn for the worse. A fierce blizzard engulfed the patrol, obscuring their vision and disorienting their dogs. Lost and disoriented, they stumbled along for hours before finally finding a small island to camp on.

However, their respite was short-lived. The blizzard raged unabated, and the island proved to be too small and exposed to provide adequate shelter. Food and supplies dwindled rapidly, and the men began to suffer from hypothermia and frostbite.

Desperate Measures

As their situation became increasingly dire, the patrol members made desperate attempts to survive. They dug a series of snow caves, but the wind and snow relentlessly filled them in. They tried to hunt for seals and walruses, but the ice was too thick and the animals too elusive.

With each passing day, hope began to dwindle. Fauntleroy, the strongest and most resourceful of the group, died from a combination of starvation and exposure. The remaining men struggled to survive, clinging to life by sheer force of will.

The Discovery

Months later, a search party from Fort McPherson stumbled upon the wreckage of the patrol's camp. The bodies of Stallworthy, Dempster, Gould, and Harper were frozen in grotesque positions, a testament to their horrific end. Johnson, miraculously, had managed to survive and was found alive in a nearby snow cave.

The Aftermath

The news of the patrol's tragic fate sent shockwaves through Canada and beyond. Johnson's harrowing account of their ordeal painted a chilling picture of their struggle against the unforgiving wilderness. The Lost Winter Patrol became a symbol of the dangers and sacrifices faced by explorers and adventurers.

In recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, the six men were posthumously awarded the Albert Medal, one of the highest gallantry awards in the British Commonwealth. The site of their camp was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, serving as a perpetual reminder of their indomitable spirit.

Epilogue

The Lost Winter Patrol of 1910 stands as a timeless tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. Their journey into the uncharted wilderness of the Canadian Arctic serves as a sobering reminder of the perils and uncertainties that can accompany even the most well-planned expeditions. Their sacrifice will forever be etched in the annals of exploration history, inspiring generations to come.

Death Wins in the Arctic: The Lost Winter Patrol of 1910

by Kerry Karram

4.5 out of 5