A view of four men with the tent erected. In the foreground is the dog sledge with the dogs laying on the ice.
A view of four men with the tent erected. In the foreground is the dog sledge with the dogs laying on the ice. The official catalogue states that this is the party on their way to the north coast of Greenland from the 'Alert' (1856) in May 1876. However, they did not take dog sledges with them, and it is more likely to be the expedition under Captain Stephenson from Discovery Bay to 'Alert' in April 1876. The others on this expedition to 'Alert' were Thomas Mitchell, Dougal (Ice Quarter Master), Petty (RM) and Hans 'the Esquimaux'. They departed from 'Discovery' (1873) at 1045 on 18 April, and arrived at 'Alert' on 23 April, after one day delay due to bad weather. This is supported by the handwritten caption on the mount for album ALB1093, which states that this is Captain Stephenson on his way to 'Alert'. Note the contrast in the ice to Plates 75, 76, and 77.