Alex Preston, Assistant Antarctic Tour Guide, brings us an historic polar adventure, 6 o of Fridtjof Nansen, probably the most important Polar Explorer since Captain James Cook. In many ways, he revolutionized polar travel and had a direct impact on all the explorers who followed. In addition to his accomplishments as an explorer, he also provided significant discoveries in science, was an important figure in Norwegian nationalism, and became an extraordinary diplomat and humanitarian affecting the lives of millions of people in war torn Europe. He eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize, a truly once-in-a-generation mind. Fridjof Nansen was a man of many talents, including the study of Arctic zoology; study of Arctic food chain; observation that sea ice forms from the surface down; and marine creature neuroanatomy (thesis 1887). Nansen formulated a plan to cross Greenland, choosing to travel east to west using sledging and skiing, and indigenous guides. The Norwegian government refused support; Nansen was instead supported by a liquor company and private donations. The approach to Greenland was difficult through pack ice and brash. Once ashore, Nansen and team climbed the inland ice cap and spent 78 days crossing Greenland. They then spent 7 months at their destination, hunting and investigating the local culture. Nansen had a big reception on his return to Oslo and was instrumental in the formation of Norwegian Geographical Society. His next expedition (1894) was a Norwegian attempt on North Pole, using currents and drift ice, in the small sturdy ship "Fram" (equipped with 12 men and five years provisions). The Fram is now in Fram museum in Oslo. The Fram made slow progress -- 1 mile/day -- eventually leading to its abandonment and switch to travel over the ice by dogsled. Nansen and crew travelled this way to Franz Josef Land, taking eight months, and surviving on bear and walrus. There they met the Englishman Jackson, and returned to Oslo. There was no news of the abandoned Fram until its eventual appearance near Spitzbergen (it drift route was not over the North Pole as hoped). Nansen followed his explorations with a hugely successful journal that gave him financial stability. His travels amassed valuable oceanographic data. He also provided assistance to Amundsen, Scott, others. Nansen's next phase of life was statesmanship and diplomacy; Norway joined League of Nations 1920. Nansen as statesman was also responsible for the repatriations of millions of WWI PoWs (the Nansen "Passport for Stateless Persons") and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. He had less success in 1925 assisting Armenians, but managed to support the signing of an anti-slavery convention. Among his many legacies Nansen left numerous inventions for Arctic exploration. About Alex Preston
Alex Preston is from Toronto, about as far away from any of Canada’s oceans as is possible. He does however live near a very large lake. Alex worked in the service and hospitality industry in his early career and started working on Antarctic ships nearly 20 years ago as a bartender/zodiac driver. After a few years in the hotel department, he made the transition to the expedition team and now works as a naturalist. His travels have taken him to the Antarctic more than 100 times, Snow Hill, South Georgia and the Falklands. In the boreal summer, he works on ships in Scandinavia, Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic. He has also traversed the Northwest Passage and visited the North Pole several times travelling from Murmansk via Franz Josef Land. For several years Alex also worked as a Grizzly Guide in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest. He is fluently bilingual (English and French) and valiantly continues his struggle with Russian and Spanish. His other interests include photography, writing, reading and travel. He is happiest driving zodiacs in any kind of weather. Alex is onboard as Assistant Expedition Leader and Historian.
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The Toronto Island Airport (Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, CYTZ) has an interesting history with numerous inflection points where it could have developed differently from its actual history. Looking into the future, it's also possible to see points in the not very distant future where the longer history of the airport can take numerous paths. About Ron Jenkins Ron is a long-time member of the National Yacht Club. His father, Alf (past Purser Shellbacks, Class A Dinghy Sailor and an active keel boat owner) and his grandfather, Herb (NYC treasurer for decades, and active keel boat sailor) carries the Jenkins’ name well back in NYC history. Ron is an active nature and sailing photographer; when hobbies do not interfere, he works in technology marketing. He is an active participant in Waterfront for All, a coalition of groups protecting the Toronto waterfront. Ron’s topic is the History of the Toronto Island Airport, starting in the distant past, through a number of paths not taken, to the present, and finally looking into the airport's possible futures. Bruce MacDonald, Captain Emeritus of STV Pathfinder, spoke to the Shellback Club about the Sisters of the Ice (the true story of how the ships St. Roch & North Star of Herschel Island protected Canadian Arctic sovereignty). MacDonald’s book is a biography of two British Columbian ships that performed legendary service in the Canadian Arctic. He owns and has restored the latter. About Bruce Macdonald
;Bruce MacDonald is quite familiar with Shellbacks, as he has spoken to us at least a couple of times back in the 1980’s. He was captain of the STV Pathfinder for many years and has since moved to the west coast with his wife, Sheila, where he acquired North Star of Herschel Island and sailed it extensively for eighteen years while they raised four children aboard. He is the author of several books. His latest, Sisters of the Ice, is a biography of two British Columbia Ships, St. Roch and North Star of Herschel Island, that performed legendary service in the Canadian Arctic. He tells Shellbacks all about them and other notable voyages, ships, and sailors in the north. His presentation includes rare photographs and a short film clip. |
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