Marooned at the end of the world

By Dugald McConnell, CNN

Updated 1408 GMT (2208 HKT) July 14, 2013

During a 1913 expedition to explore the region north of Alaska and Canada, 31 people aboard the Canadian sponsored ship Karluk became trapped in ice, beginning a yearlong ordeal. Click through the images for photos from the historic adventure.
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
Marooned: A deadly Arctic expedition – During a 1913 expedition to explore the region north of Alaska and Canada, 31 people aboard the Canadian sponsored ship Karluk became trapped in ice, beginning a yearlong ordeal. Click through the images for photos from the historic adventure.
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In this expedition photo which was taken before shipping out, Vilhjalmur Stefansson (front row, third from the left) was joined by his secretary Burt McConnell, (middle row, second from left) and the ship's captain, Robert Bartlett (front row, second from left).
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
The explorers – In this expedition photo which was taken before shipping out, Vilhjalmur Stefansson (front row, third from the left) was joined by his secretary Burt McConnell, (middle row, second from left) and the ship's captain, Robert Bartlett (front row, second from left).
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Stefansson, 33, was ambitious, optimistic and quick to court fame. He had made a name for himself demonstrating that even in the most barren emptiness, a determined and resourceful explorer could live off the frozen land.
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
The leader: Vilhjalmur Stefansson – Stefansson, 33, was ambitious, optimistic and quick to court fame. He had made a name for himself demonstrating that even in the most barren emptiness, a determined and resourceful explorer could live off the frozen land.
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McConnell -- seen here fixing a meal on a sled -- was husky, energetic and just 22 when he set out with the expedition. The mission was to conquer the last unexplored part of the north.
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
Burt McConnell – McConnell -- seen here fixing a meal on a sled -- was husky, energetic and just 22 when he set out with the expedition. The mission was to conquer the last unexplored part of the north.
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The Karluk was an aging 129-foot whaling ship bought by the Canadian government, seen here Esquimalt Harbor. When the expedition weighed anchor in Nome, Alaska, McConnell wrote to his sweetheart how thrilling it was to embark on the trip.
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
The Karluk – The Karluk was an aging 129-foot whaling ship bought by the Canadian government, seen here Esquimalt Harbor. When the expedition weighed anchor in Nome, Alaska, McConnell wrote to his sweetheart how thrilling it was to embark on the trip.
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Soon after leaving port in Alaska, the ship encountered the worst summer ice in memory. Trapped, the Karluk was unable to turn back or move forward. Although they were only a few miles from land, they were hundreds of miles from civilization and winter was approaching.
Photos: Gallery: Deadly Arctic expedition
Stuck – Soon after leaving port in Alaska, the ship encountered the worst summer ice in memory. Trapped, the Karluk was unable to turn back or move forward. Although they were only a few miles from land, they were hundreds of miles from civilization and winter was approaching.
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