North of the Arctic Circle -- Great unknown -- Longing for the sea -- Northern mystery -- Locked in -- Constant cravings -- Holiday spirits -- "Man the pumps!" -- "Letters to nowhere" -- First mates -- A menacing encounter -- "Awful beauty" -- Grinding, crashing, and rolling -- Poisoned! -- Catastrophe -- "Superhuman exertions" -- Off course -- Lost at sea -- Cursing Petermann -- A death march -- Dwindling company -- "False hopes" -- "Siberian winds" -- Homecoming.
Summary
Recounts George W. De Long's expedition to reach the North Pole.