Greenland, 1929

[Mark R]

A rather quiet place...

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/eskimo.wmv

[mharrall]

Is it just me, or does he get into his boat kneeling up?

Where on earth did you find that anyway?

Martin

[Taz dancer]

This looks like a good thread to quote this gem of colonial discovery and, some might say,arrogance.

From the Royal Geographical Society 'Hints to travellers' book 1938:


" The sport of kayak rolling may now be seen from time to time upon the Cam, brought back from Angmagssalik by the B.A.A.R.E.
The late Gino Watkins believed that a young Englishman could soon learn to do anything a native could ,and eventually do it better.Determined to live off the country by hunting seals he became skilled with kayak and harpoon;but insisting on hunting alone, so that others could get on with their work, he was drowned by some accident that has not been explained"

Watkins wrote; 'The kayaks which we are using are of ordinary Eskimo pattern, made slightly larger to fit ourselves.The Eskimos on this coast are generally acknowledged to be the best kayaking natives in the Artic, so that we have the best instruction possible. Most European travellers in the Artic have considered that it would be impossible for a white man to use a kayak or,even if he could use it, to become really efficient in it. We saw no reason for supposing this to be the case;indeed ,we considered that it would be possible for some white men to become far more expert in the use of the kayak then the Eskimo.Ten of us had kayaks made and for the last month or so have been hard at practice. Already most of us can roll right round under the water and come up the other side;a feat which onlt about one in four Eskimos on this coast can do. One or two of us can roll right round without using the paddle , which only a few Eskimos here can do.'

[Matt O]

How exactly does the Eskimo have a 'touch of the Scotch' about him?

It seems that the 1929 attitude of colonial discovery and arrogance can be seen much closer to home than Greenland!!!

[Owen]

I've a video containing some clips of surviving film from Gino Watkin's expedition. It shows them practicing on the Cam then it cuts to Greenland possiby Disko Bay. These superior white men din't find things quite so easy out in real conditions.

[iannewman]

Owen, I'd LOVE to see the clips of Gino on the Cam etc., that you have. Are you able to put them on this `thread`, or do you have a DVD I can see? I have read an excellent biography of Gino W and happen to live and do alot of paddling on the Cam. Great stuff...

Ian

(ian.newman@cambridgeshire.gov.uk)

[Owen]

Ian,
I can't connect my video player to my puter; so no I can't put it on this tread. I got the video from Mobile Adventure when they had a shop in Leicester. These days their only supplying boats to the trade, I don't know if they still do the videos but I doubt it.
The film is part of the "BCU archive collection" so they may be able to help you. Sorry I can't be any more helpful that this.

Its called "An Eskimo and his kayak - Gino Watkins (1932).

P.S. Its 12 minutes long so it would be a big download.

[Rich Best]

Hi Mark.

Yes: where did you find that clip! And is full film available somewhere?

Looks like an East Arctic kayak, from Canada, and as seen in "Nanook of the North", although the Polar Inuit of Northwest Greenland had a very similar design because of Canadian influence. Some of the Canadian kayaks are quite roomy compared to Greenland boats, and are much less of a squeeze to get in and out of. Or so I've heard.

Richard

[Sharky]

How exactly does the Eskimo have a 'touch of the Scotch' about him?

Having watched the clip I think its because he was able to split a match before lighting his pipe.

They do say Yorkshire folk taught the Scots all they know about being thrifty :0)