n 



ETAH 



/^N August 26th we moored ship close to the rocks 

 ^^ of Provision Point, Etah Harbor, and in two days 

 and a half, with the help of our Eskimos, all the supplies 

 and equipment of the Crocker Land Expedition were 

 landed upon the rocks. On the 30th the Erik blew her 

 whistle, dipped her flag, and was soon out of sight around 

 Cape Alexander, ten miles to the south. There were 

 no tears in our eyes or feelings of regret that we had 

 chosen to remain. We were glad to see her go and thus 

 sever all ties with home and civilization. 



The name Etah, the most northern settlement in the 

 world, is so well known that it may be somewhat of a 

 shock to learn that what is considered to be a thriving 

 settlement really consists of five black-looking holes in 

 a sloping hillside. A careful census reveals the amazing 

 fact that in some years even these holes are not in- 

 habited — a deserted village. Other years, however, the 

 streets are crowded with as many as fifteen people! 

 Upon our arrival we found a serious congestion — nine- 

 teen men, women, and children. 



Etah, or Foulke Fiord, is situated on the shores of 

 North Greenland at the narrowest part of Smith Sound, 

 in latitude 78° 20', 700 miles from the North Pole. It 



