Amazing Photos of Arctic Regions in 1869

William Bradford’s (1823-1892) “Arctic Regions” was published in London in 1873, principally sponsored by Queen Victoria. An estimated 300 volumes were printed. Three are owned locally, one here at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, one belonging to the Millicent Library in Fairhaven, and one at the New Bedford Free Public Library.

Arctic Regions in 1869

Bradford’s book recounts a three-month journey along the Western coast of Greenland aboard the Panther; a 325-ton sealing ship. Departing from St. John’s Newfoundland on July 3, 1869, the voyage was organized by Fairhaven artist William Bradford solely for “purposes of art.” Accompanying him were distinguished Arctic explorer Dr. Isaac Israel Hayes and skilled photographers John L. Dunmore and George Critcherson.

Unlike earlier Arctic journeys set on discovering the Northwest Passage, or undertaken for commercial profit, national prestige, or scientific curiosity, Bradford journeyed for art with sketchpad in hand.

These amazing photos from New Bedford Whaling Museum that show the Arctic Regions on an art expedition to Greenland.

An Esquimaux getting ready for a seal hunt

Beautiful forms in varied shapes which the berg assumed

Between the iceberg and field ice. The “Panther” firing up to escape being forced on to the berg

Dr. Rudolph, his wife, and children

Esac's house on Iglor at the right

Esquimaux carrying his kayak to the water to start on hunt

Esquimaux igloe or winter hut, made of turf and stones

Esquimaux in his kayak or skin boat

Esquimaux in his kayak ready for seal-hunting

Esquimaux landing in his kayak, showing the way they often take out their wives for a short call

Esquimaux mother and her fair-haired daughter

Esquimaux toupek or skin tent

Esquimaux toupek, or skin tent, used for camping out when making their journeys along the coast

Esquimaux wide awake

Esquimaux women, showing the manner in which they often carry their children on their backs in their hoods

Group of Esquimaux women and children

Hans, his wife and children

Hunting by steam in Melville Bay

Iceberg, showing the action of the water washing and wearing it into its present shape

In an open lead between the floe and the iceberg

Instantaneous view of iceberg on our way north

Instantaneous view of icebergs which, from their similarity and beauty, we named the twins

Jansen and his family

Looking down from Karsut Fjord

Nearer view of the polar bears

On the glacier, looking inland towards the great Mer de Glace

Patiently waited and quietly hoped for the ice to open

Philip and his family

Sandstone Rock at the entrance of Karsut Fjord

Sophy and her sister, Marea

The "Panther" made fast to the floe in Melville Bay, between the icebergs and field ice

The “Panther” fast in the field-ice in Melville Bay as far as the eye could see it was a vast unbroken sea of ice

The “Panther” moored to the heavy hummock ice

The “Panther” trying to force a passage through the floe

The cliffs on the opposite side of the harbour of Godhaven, three hundred feet high

The farthest point reached

The glacier as seen forcing itself down over the land and into the waters of the fjord

The glacier as seen when sailing up the fjord, showing its wall or front, and its top looking inland

The house nearest the North Pole under the midnight sun

The Lutheran church at Jacobshaven, one of the finest in Greenland

The middle pack of Melville Bay, with a group of stranded bergs

The midnight sun in Melville Bay

The party in camp on the top of the glacier

The solitude of Melville Bay

The steamer taking soundings in front of the glacier

The steamer, in an open lead, moored to the edge of the ice field

View of Julianeshaab

View of settlement and harbour of Godhavn, on the island of Disco

Young Esquimaux woman, one of the fair dancers