The Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-1918): Charting Uncharted Lands and Shaping the North

Discover how Canada’s largest Arctic venture braved extreme conditions, faced tragedy, and revolutionized exploration, science, and sovereignty in the frozen north

Jan 14, 2025

*Image attribution: Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-1918) Report, CC0 1.0*

Imagine stepping onto a frozen ship deck, surrounded by endless ice and howling winds. It’s 1913, and a team of explorers, scientists, and Inuit guides are about to sail into uncharted Arctic waters.

Their mission? To map unseen coastlines, discover new islands, and learn about the people and wildlife that live in these icy regions. This is the Canadian Arctic Expedition—a journey filled with daring feats, heartbreaking losses, and groundbreaking scientific findings that would shape Canada’s northern story for decades to come.

If you’re like me, you might have only heard bits and pieces about early Arctic exploration.

It often calls to mind famous names such as Roald Amundsen or Robert Peary. But one of the most dramatic and ambitious ventures in the Canadian North was the Canadian Arctic Expedition (CAE) of 1913–1918. This massive project aimed to explore unknown lands, gather scientific data, and strengthen Canada’s claim to Arctic sovereignty.

Why Venture North in 1913?

Territorial Concerns:

Back then, Canada wanted to establish its rights in the Arctic.
Any newly discovered land could become part of Canadian territory.

Scientific Curiosity:

The CAE was divided into two key groups.
The Northern Party, led by Vilhjalmur Stefansson, would seek out uncharted islands and map them.
Meanwhile, the Southern Party, led by zoologist Rudolph Anderson, would study the region’s animals, plants, rocks, and indigenous cultures.

Pressure to Compete:

Many countries were racing to explore the poles.
For Canada, joining that race seemed vital for national pride and strategic reasons.

Originally, Stefansson had hoped for American sponsorship, but that changed when the Canadian government decided to step in. Officials in Ottawa felt that if any new land was discovered, it should be Canada—and not the U.S.—laying claim. That switch in funding also boosted the government’s role in planning and oversight, or so they hoped.

The Grand Plan

The CAE set off with more than 100 participants, including scientists, sailors, photographers, and a number of Inuit guides and hunters.

They brought along:

Multiple Vessels:
- Including the flagship Karluk, as well as ships like the Mary Sachs and the Alaska.
Ambitious Goals:
- They wanted to map the continental shelf, do through-ice depth soundings, and collect enough specimens to fill entire volumes of data.
Anthropological Focus:
- A big part of the mission was learning about the Copper Inuit and other Arctic peoples—how they lived, what they believed, and how they survived harsh conditions.

Yet, large plans often come with big challenges.

Even before the ships ventured into pack ice, tensions brewed. Vilhjalmur Stefansson was known for his strong will and, at times, secretive behaviour. Some members, like Rudolph Anderson, felt the plans weren’t always clear or well communicated. Regardless, they pressed on, with the group splitting into the Northern and Southern Parties to tackle different tasks.

Early Obstacles and the Karluk

One of the most notorious moments in the entire expedition involved the Karluk.

Captained by Robert Bartlett, this ship carried members of the Northern Party. Tragedy struck when the Karluk became trapped in pack ice in August 1913, only a short time after leaving the mainland. As the ice floes carried it farther off course, the crew realized that their fate might rest on whether the ship could withstand the pressure.

Stefansson Leaves:
- Stefansson departed the Karluk to hunt caribou on the ice (or so he claimed) and never made it back.
- This led many to believe he had abandoned ship, causing a rift in the team.
Ice Prison:
- Eventually, the Karluk was crushed by the ice and sank on January 11, 1914, near Wrangel Island, off the Siberian coast.
Deadly Aftermath:
- Of the men on board, 11 died, and the survivors had to endure a bleak fight against Arctic conditions.

Captain Bartlett showed remarkable leadership by travelling over the ice to seek rescue.

He trekked hundreds of miles to reach help in eastern Russia, then continued to Alaska. His efforts saved many lives, but the Karluk disaster left a tragic mark on the expedition.

While news of the sinking spread, the rest of the expedition carried on, each group following its own plan.

The Southern Party, led by Rudolph Anderson, focused on scientific work. They collected plant and animal specimens, performed geological surveys, and built relationships with the Inuit. Some members, like the anthropologist Diamond Jenness, immersed themselves in learning about the Copper Inuit’s culture and language.

Two Expeditions in One

You can almost think of the Canadian Arctic Expedition (CAE) as two separate expeditions—one led by Stefansson in the north, the other by Anderson in the south:

The Northern Party (Stefansson)
- Tried to map and explore possible new islands in the Beaufort Sea.
- Relied heavily on hunting and the knowledge of Inuit guides to survive.
- Faced danger on sea ice as they searched for uncharted lands.
The Southern Party (Anderson)
- Focused on scientific research near the mainland and surrounding islands.
- Documented flora, fauna, and geology.
- Gained valuable information on Inuit customs and way of life.

While both parties added to Canada’s knowledge of the Arctic, their leaders sometimes disagreed on priorities.

Stefansson was driven by the thrill of possible “big discoveries,” whereas Anderson emphasized thorough scientific studies. This clash in approaches caused friction, although both groups made notable gains.

New Islands Mapped

The CAE discovered or confirmed several Arctic islands, such as Lougheed, Borden, Meighen, and Brock.

Finding these islands mattered a lot back then. Each new land mass could become part of Canadian territory, strengthening the government’s foothold in the North.

Stefansson’s Float Strategy:
- At times, his team let the ice carry them, hoping to drift near unknown land.
- This was risky but turned up fresh details on Arctic geography.
Mapping and Surveying:
- They used compasses, sextants, and basic cameras to chart coastlines, measure depths, and gather geological samples.

In many ways, the CAE redrew maps of the western Canadian Arctic.

While some explorers had passed through these regions, nobody had done such detailed work before. This success was a big source of pride, even as other parts of the expedition faced hardships.

Scientific Feats in the South

Meanwhile, the Southern Party was gathering heaps of data.

Biologists caught fish and birds, labelled plant specimens, and cataloged mineral samples. If you’ve ever seen a university display of Arctic rocks or mounted birds, there’s a decent chance some were first collected during this expedition. Anthropologists, like Diamond Jenness, spent months living with Inuit families to learn about their traditions, tools, and beliefs.

Anthropology:
- Jenness documented Copper Inuit life, later uncovering evidence of earlier cultures such as the Dorset.
Oceanography:
- Researchers took depth soundings and studied marine life, laying the groundwork for modern Arctic science.
Photography and Film:
- This was one of the first Arctic expeditions to rely on motion-picture cameras, giving us rare glimpses of Inuit life a century ago.

Trouble on the Home Front

Back in Ottawa, government officials had mixed feelings.

They liked the idea of claiming new territory and boosting Canadian sovereignty, but the expedition’s budget kept growing. Initially set at $75,000, costs soared past $500,000. World War I made matters worse, pulling attention away from Arctic exploration. Then there was the Karluk sinking, which drew negative headlines and raised questions about Stefansson’s leadership. Some felt he had abandoned the ship, while others argued he’d only left to gather supplies.

Controversies and Conflict

As the years went on, a “war of words” erupted.

Stefansson published books like The Friendly Arctic, which, in the eyes of some, downplayed the expedition’s dangers. In a 1920 letter, Stefansson made the controversial claim that "neither men nor dogs have been lost and that neither men nor dogs have suffered serious hardship".

Men who had served under him felt betrayed and wrote their own accounts. Tensions flared over who owned the rights to diaries, photographs, and films. Even after the expedition ended, arguments persisted for decades.

You might ask: “Why should we remember such a troubled mission?”

Here’s a few reasons why:

Arctic Maps and Islands:
- The CAE changed Canada’s map, revealing land that hadn’t been documented.
Knowledge of Inuit Life:
- Work by researchers like Diamond Jenness helped the world appreciate Copper Inuit culture.
Scientific Data:
- Thousands of animal and plant samples found their way into museums, universities, and labs.
Canadian Sovereignty:
- By establishing Canada’s presence up north, the expedition helped the country stake claims on Arctic waters and islands.

Lasting Impression

Though overshadowed by World War I, the Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913–1918) still stands as a major chapter in Arctic exploration.

It had moments of heroism, such as Captain Bartlett’s rescue efforts. It also had glaring controversies and tragedies—most notably the loss of the Karluk and the deaths of 17 men. Not to mention the invaluable roles played by the nameless Inuit guides that served the mission.

Yet in the end, this expedition reshaped Canada’s understanding of its northern frontier.

Maps were updated, plant and animal collections expanded, and Inuit life was documented as never before. The CAE also forced officials to think carefully about how to fund and manage such bold adventures. After all, exploring the Arctic might reveal new lands and important science, but it also carries real risks and responsibilities.

Whether you’re a fan of explorers’ tales or just curious about Canada’s claim to Arctic waters, the CAE’s story offers plenty to reflect on.

It reminds us that going to extremes—both physically and financially—can produce remarkable results, but not without cost. When you see today’s maps of the western Arctic or read studies about Inuit cultures, remember that a century ago, a determined yet divided group of explorers tried to shed light on one of the most remote regions of Canada. Their legacy, full of triumphs and disputes, is still part of our northern story.

Your Turn

Did you grow up hearing or reading tales from this expedition? Do you have connections to any of the people involved? Do you have missing pieces to the puzzle that aren’t included in written historical records? Take a sec. to type a comment and share your thoughts. I look forward to reading them all. I also respond to them all and appreciate the opportunity to have a conversation with you about the topics we cover each week.

And then, have a rad rest of your day!