1932–33 East Greenland expedition facts for kids
The 1932–33 East Greenland Expedition was an exciting journey to Greenland. It was first led by a brave explorer named Gino Watkins. After a sad accident, John Rymill took over as the leader. This expedition continued important work from an earlier trip called the British Arctic Air Route Expedition. That team had explored and mapped parts of Greenland that no one had seen before!
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How the Expedition Got Started
Getting money was a big challenge for this expedition. It affected how many people could go and what they could do.
Who Helped Fund the Trip?
- Pan-American Airways (Pan Am) gave £500. This airline hoped to create a new air route between Canada and Britain. They needed information about the weather and flying conditions in the Arctic.
- The Royal Geographic Society gave £200. They also lent the team special equipment for surveying.
- The Meteorological Office lent tools to study the weather.
- The Times newspaper contributed £100. In return, they got the rights to publish stories about the expedition.
Meet the Expedition Team
This expedition was quite small, with only four members. Each person had an important role to play.
Who Were the Explorers?
- Gino Watkins was the leader of the group.
- John Rymill was the surveyor, responsible for mapping the land.
- Freddie Spencer Chapman was an ornithologist, studying birds, and also the photographer.
- Quintin Riley was the meteorologist, studying the weather.
What Were Their Main Goals?
The team wanted to continue the work from their previous summer's expedition. They also planned to collect important weather data for Pan Am.
The Journey and Challenges Faced
The expedition began in July 1932. It was a journey filled with both discovery and sadness.
A Sad Accident in Greenland
On August 20, 1932, a tragic accident happened. Gino Watkins died while hunting for seals in Tuttilik Fjord. His empty kayak was found floating upside down. His body was never found.
Continuing the Mission
After Gino Watkins' death, John Rymill took over as the leader. He, Spencer Chapman, and Riley decided to keep going. However, they had to make their plans smaller.
They spent the winter in Greenland, facing very tough weather. They mapped an area of about 440 square kilometers (170 sq mi). They also collected many plant and animal samples.
Exploring and Returning Home
Freddie Spencer Chapman spent a month with the local Ammassalik Inuit people. He studied the birds in the area. Meanwhile, Rymill and Riley surveyed the coast. They wanted to make the maps of the area even better.
The expedition finished at the end of the summer in 1933. The three remaining members reached Reykjavik on September 24. From there, they took a ship to Hull in the UK. They finally returned home in the fall of 1933.
