George W. De Long facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George W. De Long
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De Long before 1879
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| Birth name | George Francis De Long |
| Born | 22 August 1844 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | c. 31 October 1881 (aged 37) Yakutia, Siberia, Russia |
| Buried |
Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
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| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1865–1881 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Expedition | Jeannette expedition |
| Awards | Gold Jeannette Medal (1890) |
| Memorials | Jeannette Monument |
| Spouse(s) | Emma Wotton De Long |
George Washington De Long (born August 22, 1844) was an officer in the United States Navy. He was also an explorer who led the unlucky Jeannette expedition from 1879 to 1881. His goal was to find the Open Polar Sea, a mythical ice-free area near the North Pole. He died around October 31, 1881.
Contents
The Jeannette Expedition
In 1879, Lieutenant Commander De Long began a big adventure. He sailed from San Francisco on a ship called the USS Jeannette. This journey was supported by James Gordon Bennett Jr., who owned a famous newspaper. The United States Navy also helped.
De Long's main goal was to find a way to the North Pole by going through the Bering Strait. The crew also collected scientific information and animal samples. In the summer of 1881, De Long discovered three islands. He claimed these islands for the United States. However, the U.S. government did not accept this claim. Today, these islands are part of Russia.
Trapped in the Ice
In September 1879, the Jeannette got stuck in thick ice. This happened in the Chukchi Sea, which is northeast of Wrangel Island. The ship then drifted slowly with the ice in a northwesterly direction.
After almost two years, on June 12, 1881, the ice crushed the ship. The Jeannette sank in the East Siberian Sea. De Long and his crew had to leave the ship. They began a difficult journey across the ice, pulling three small boats. Their goal was to reach Siberia.
A Difficult Journey Home
On September 11, the crew finally reached open water. They got into their small boats, but the boats became separated. One boat, led by Charles W. Chipp, was lost. No one ever found any trace of it.
De Long's own boat reached land, but only two men who went ahead for help survived. The third boat, led by Chief Engineer George W. Melville, made it to the Lena Delta. Its crew was rescued. Melville later found the ship's log books. These important records are now kept in the U.S. National Archives.
A Tragic End
George De Long died from starvation near Matvay Hut in Yakutia. A few months later, George Melville returned to the area. He found the bodies of De Long and the crew from his boat.
Sadly, 20 members of the expedition lost their lives during this voyage. Other men also died during the search efforts. It is believed that De Long and the other men died around the end of October 1881. The United States government arranged for De Long's body and those of his friends to be brought home. They were buried with honor in his hometown.
Remembering De Long
In 1890, the U.S. Navy honored De Long and his crew. They built the Jeannette Monument. This monument is made of granite and marble. It features a cross with carved icicles. It stands 24 feet (about 7 meters) tall. You can find it in the United States Naval Academy Cemetery. It overlooks the Severn River.
De Long kept a journal, writing in it until the day he died. His wife later edited it. It was published in 1883 as Voyage of the "Jeannette". George Melville also wrote a book about searching for De Long. It was called In the Lena Delta and came out a year later.
Many things have been named after George W. De Long. Two United States Navy ships were named USS DeLong. The De Long Islands, the De Long Mountains in northwest Alaska, and the De Long Fjord in Greenland also carry his name.
See also
In Spanish: George Washington DeLong para niños
