The Socialite and the Sea Captain

The Arctic explorer Louise Arner Boyd, working in conjunction with the United States Bureau of Standards, embarked June 11, 1941 on a polar research voyage in the legendary schooner Effie M. Morrissey with Captain, owner, and Arctic explorer in his own right, Bob Bartlett commanding. Although the United States was not yet a combatant in the war then raging throughout Europe, by the beginning of 1941 it had become clear that such neutrality would not last much longer, and that when the...
More Description

The Arctic explorer Louise Arner Boyd, working in conjunction with the United States Bureau of Standards, embarked June 11, 1941 on a polar research voyage in the legendary schooner Effie M. Morrissey with Captain, owner, and Arctic explorer in his own right, Bob Bartlett commanding. Although the United States was not yet a combatant in the war then raging throughout Europe, by the beginning of 1941 it had become clear that such neutrality would not last much longer, and that when the time came for the U.S. to enter the war, it would be on the side of the Allies.Greenland, a protectorate of Denmark, lost that status when Germany overran the home country. Unprotected, it could provide the Nazis with an operating base in North America. Boyd's long history of leading surveying, scientific, and photographic expeditions to the East coast of Greenland meant that another expedition under her leadership, to the West coast/Baffin Bay side of that island, would arouse little notice. She arranged a charter of the ice schooner Effie M. Morrissey, from departure June 11 through November 3, returning with valuable data, during which she kept a journal of her daily activities on board and her photographic and scientific work ashore. Bartlett and the ship's officers likewise kept a detailed daily log. It provides a marked contrast to Miss Boyd's narrative.Both were passionately interested in polar exploration, so joint venture, in conjunction with a quasi-military purpose seemed imminently prosperous. However, over the three months of the effort, relations between the two soured irrevocably. Each felt an indisputable right to be leader of the expedition. Neither was willing to give ground. The underlying tension reveals itself occasionally in her diary, and in the elaborately worded ship's log held in Special Collections at Bowdoin College Library. Given the differences between their social statuses, they each find much to comment on. The Socialite and the Sea Captain presents these two conflicting narratives side by side, so readers can compare the accounts and determine for themselves the underlying story behind the diaries of these two headstrong leaders.