George W. De Long

George W. De Long cropped portrait

George W. De Long

George Washington De Long was an American naval officer and explorer who led the ill-fated Jeannette Expedition in an attempt to reach the North Pole. Born on August 22, 1844, in New York City, De Long graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1865. He served in the Navy during the Civil War and later participated in several Arctic expeditions. In 1879, De Long was appointed as the commander of the USS Jeannette for an expedition to explore the Arctic Ocean. The goal of the expedition was to reach the North Pole by sailing through the Bering Strait and into the Arctic Ocean. However, the Jeannette became trapped in the ice and drifted for nearly two years before eventually sinking. De Long and his crew were forced to abandon the ship and trek across the ice in an attempt to reach land. Tragically, De Long and several members of his crew perished during the journey. Despite the hardships faced by the expedition, their discoveries contributed valuable scientific data to the understanding of the Arctic region. The story of the Jeannette Expedition and George W. De Long's leadership has been the subject of numerous books and documentaries. His legacy as an explorer and naval officer continues to be remembered in the annals of Arctic exploration.

Legacy

George W. De Long's contributions to Arctic exploration have been commemorated in various ways, including the naming of geographic features in the Arctic region in his honor. His leadership and bravery in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to future generations of explorers.

See also

• Arctic exploration
• North Pole
• Jeannette Expedition