A North Pole Expedition Begins
In 1870, Congress funded a $50,000 expedition to reach the North Pole, led by Charles Francis Hall, a seasoned Arctic explorer. On July 3, 1871, the Polaris set sail from Connecticut, stopping in Greenland for supplies and an Inuit guide before pushing northward. The crew reached a record northern latitude of around 82 degrees but faced growing tension among its members.
A Mysterious Illness and Death
In October, the Polaris became locked in Arctic ice for the winter. On November 8, Hall suddenly fell ill after drinking coffee, suffering intense pain and repeatedly accusing some officers of poisoning him. Despite being treated by Dr. Emil Bessels, Hall died, and his death was officially attributed to an apoplectic seizure.
Surviving the Arctic
After Hall’s death, the Polaris faced further disasters, including being damaged by an iceberg and separated from some of its crew. The stranded crew survived six months adrift on an ice floe until rescued by the Tigress in April 1873.
Unanswered Questions
In 1968, Hall’s exhumed remains revealed high levels of arsenic, pointing to possible poisoning. The true cause of Hall’s death, however, remains an unsolved mystery.
Arctic Explorer or Murder Victim? The Mysterious End of Hall
A North Pole Expedition Begins
In 1870, Congress funded a $50,000 expedition to reach the North Pole, led by Charles Francis Hall, a seasoned Arctic explorer. On July 3, 1871, the Polaris set sail from Connecticut,… pic.twitter.com/ZLXdH6Gb8D— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TBBOB2) August 29, 2024