http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/ In 1934, James Mann Wordie lead a team of researchers to West Greenland and Baffin Island with the primary intention of mapping uncharted coastline. In addition to improved geographic data, the team returned with a wealth of cultural material and their own impressions of local Inuit communities. These objects, photographs and journals were donated to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) and the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge. For the first time since 1934, a selection of this material has been brought together in this website to visually represent the expedition's encounters and experiences. http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/62/#comments As my grandfather was a quiet gentleman, very few of his experiences have really passed down the family, so it is really interesting to read about these on the internet. More articles are being added daily, and I enjoy learning about my grandfather. On a recent trip to Moscow, someone who had studied geography greeted me and commented how fundamental James Mann Wordie's work had been for Greenland. I was unaware of this, but learned that other countries obviously valued the work highly, and used the information to further their work. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:10:21 GMT comment_71 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section1/#comments A good title for main photo might be: "James Wordie (centre in hat) surrounded by expedition members including etc. etc" Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:29:43 GMT comment_1 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section1/#comments The persons in photo, reading left to right, are: Christopher Dalgety, Ritchie, Fletcher RN, Dr James Wordie (later Sir James Wordie), Harry Hanham, and Pat Baird, sitting is Tom Longstaff Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:58:10 GMT comment_2 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section4/hunting/162/#comments This is a bird dart not a spear thrower. It would have been used in conjunction with a spear thrower or norsaq. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:11:59 GMT comment_18 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section4/hunting/#comments I think it is highly unlikely that the sea mammal in the photo is a walrus. Walrus pups weigh 100-160lbs at birth, and full-grown males reach 4,400lbs. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:30:10 GMT comment_19 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section4/hunting/162/#comments This detail photo is of a bird dart, not a spear thrower as stated in the description. A spear thrower is used to throw it, but is not in this photo. If the iron point of the dart misses the bird, its wings will probably be caught in the three bone parts illustrated. Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:06:19 GMT comment_14 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section5/domestic/182/#comments Salmon trout in Wordie's journal was probably referring to Arctic Char, which are similar to salmon (color of meat), but not actually salmon. Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:53:20 GMT comment_10 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section5/domestic/191/#comments Compliments to this view of the Arctic as it was generations past. I, being both of Inuit and French ancestry am joyed that this is available for public viewing. Of note, Inuit translated to English is "the People" therefore, Inuit peoples refers to 'People peoples'. Just stating 'Inuit' would be preferable. Inuk is the singular, as in 'an Inuk man, or Inuk woman'. Thanks to those who've made this collection available. Sincerely, Guy d'Argencourt Thu, 08 May 2008 15:41:49 GMT comment_24 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/expedition/section6/#comments In other aspects I consider this expedition rather successful and important. I followed some lectures by the late professor T.T. Paterson in the early seventies about his Management Theory and Job Evaluation which have influenced my professional life since then. In those lectures (and drinking scottish whiskey together afterwards) Paterson often referred to his experiences with the primitive organisation of the hunting teams and the communities of the Inuits he met on this expedition. And the life on board must have influenced his experiences as a trouble shooter for the RAF during the war, as described in his beautiful and famous booklet "Morale of Men in War and Work". Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:16:09 GMT comment_28 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/wordie/intro/about/#comments Thanks for creating this site. Last spring in May I and two friends camped in the Eglinton Tower photo on the Baffin page of your site. We skied, hauling sleds, from Clyde River to Pond Inlet to enjoy the wonderful scenery of this fiord country. It would be fascinating to be able to come to Cambridge and look at the photographs from the Wordie 1934 expedition. To see some photos from our trip last year you can go to my own web site at www.tinoxygentungsten.com. Ed: Many of the photographs presented throughout this site will be on display in MAA from mid March until December 2008. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:23:57 GMT comment_23