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In 1926 the charismatic "Captain Bob" Bartlett persuaded George Palmer Putnam, a well know publisher, to fund an exploratory trip to Greenland. This was the beginning of the Morrissey's two decades as an arctic exploration vessel. After the installation of a her first diesel engine and sheathing of the hull with greenheart, a Central American hardwood, the Morrissey headed north. Among the ship's company was Putnam and his son David.

 

Arctic Explorers Explorers Bob Bartlett and Knud Rassmussen meet on the decks of the Morrissey in the Arctic.

The voyage inspired David Putnam's David Goes to Greenland (1926) and David Goes to Baffinland (1927), two popular children's books telling of David's adventures onboard the Morrissey.

 

1926

On the 1926 voyage Donald Bartlett Wilcox, born in Brigus, NF in 1904, sailed as cook's assistant and deckhand. William "Bill" Bartlett Wilcox, Donald's son sent along some images from his father's trip You can see his collection of photos by clicking here....

The Morrissey was renovated for Arctic exploration with the installation of a 3-cylinder auxiliary motor and 1-1/2 inches of green heart sheathing for protection from the ice.

American Museum Greenland Expedition to Northwest Greenland under the auspices of the American Museum of National History

Leaders: George Palmer Putnam along with University of Michigan Professor William H. Hobbs

Capt. William Kennedy from Newfoundland was aboard as navigator.

The Ernestina archive has a copy of a 41-minute film donated by Mr. John Belknap from the University of Michigan archives taken during this voyage. The photographer was Maurice Kellerman.

1927

Voyage to Western Baffin Land under the auspices of the American Geographical Society, Museum of the American Indian and the Heye Foundation

Leader: George Palmer Putman

It was during this voyage that the bowsprit was damaged and shortened.    Robert E. Peary, Jr.  (son of Robert E. Peary) served on board.

Daniel W. Streeter wrote a book called An Arctic Rodeo published in 1929 by G.P. Putnam's Sons featuring a Montana Cowboy, Carl Dunrud, who came aboard specifically for the purpose of roping and bringing back alive polar bears and the like. This book is a great description of the voyage with many images!

Junius Bird, shown here in 1927, sailed aboard as scientist for several of the trips into the Arctic.

The crew of the 1927 Expedition.
You can read about the 1927 voyage by clicking to the transcript of Monroe Grey Barnard's Log.

1928

Stoll McCracken Siberian Arctic Expedition to the Aleutian Islands, Bering Strait, and Arctic under the auspices of the American Museum of Natural History

Leaders: Charles H. Stoll and Harold McCracken.

Going up the Inside Passage enroute to the Bering Sea during the 1928 Stoll McCracken Expedition

Next to the ice pan in the Bering Sea, Stoll McCracken Expedition, 1928

1929

Labrador Motion Picture Expedition along the Labrador Coast.

Leader: Maurice Kellerman

1930

North East Greenland Expedition under the auspices of the Museum of the American Indian.

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