Stranded!
In mid-winter on the polar sea, the majority of seamen mutineed and stayed behind with the ship's wreckage. They blamed Hurt for their awful predicament.
"The Professor", as he was called, fled across the frozen wastes with twelve loyal companions. It was the beginning of an incredible journey of discovery and hardship.
His last letter to his wife describes their ordeal. How it ever reached her remains a mystery.
Reproductions of this photograph are available on request.