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The tragedy at Kapp Thordsen, Spitsbergen, 1872–1873. Could lead poisoning have been the cause?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 September 2009

Kjell-G. Kjær ,
Ulf Aasebø  and
Tora Hultgreen
Kjell-G. Kjær
Affiliation:
Torsvåg, 9136 Vannareid, Norway
Ulf Aasebø
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
Tora Hultgreen
Affiliation:
Svalbard Museum, 9171 Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
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Abstract

A group of 17 Norwegian sealers died in Svenskhuset, the Swedish House at Kapp Thordsen, Spitsbergen during the winter and spring of 1872–1873. The Swedish House was built by a mining company, but was left deserted as there were poor prospects for mining in the area. The house was well stocked with food, fuel and hunting gear. The death of these men has been a mystery for 135 years although the usual interpretation has been that they died from scurvy. In an effort to challenge this historical diagnosis, the authors applied for permission to open the graves to sample the bone for lead analysis, and, if possible, to examine the skeletons for evidence of scurvy. This was granted. No objective signs of scurvy were found. The level of lead in bone, however, was very high, indicating that lead poisoning very probably played a part in the tragedy. This article reveals the historical facts behind the tragedy, the excavation of the sealers’ graves in 2008, and presents a discussion of the medical evidence.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 46 , Issue 3 , July 2010 , pp. 200 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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