Aircraft
Although no aircraft were used by the CAE,
and it seems that Stefansson did not consider the possibility,
one pilot with an aircraft did try to reach Stefansson to
offer his services: "Captain Martin, the aviator who
recently came down the Yukon, arrived at 8.00 a.m. on launch
from S.S. St. Helen's, anchored outside. He had brought his
aeroplane on St. Helen's and was very anxious to see Stefansson,
saying that 'No modern expedition complete without an aeroplane
– biggest newspaper advertising by making first flight across
Bering Straits from America to Asia' He telephoned up to Cape
York to try to get a boat to intercept the Karluk, but
apparently did not succeed." (R.M. Anderson diary July 27, 1913
Teller, Alaska)
Wilkins, who later made aviation history
with a number of exploits,
discussed with Stefansson during the many long trips, over
seemingly endless snow and ice, the great advantages that
aircraft would bring to Arctic exploration.
Wireless Communication
Stefansson turned down several offers from
trained wireless operators who wanted to become part of the
CAE. The use of wireless equipment for communication was thought
to be far too bulky and too heavy for efficiency, even on
board the ships. In fact it was to be several years before
wireless communication reached the stage of being useful and
efficient for Arctic exploration.
Mail
Communication between the various parties
of the CAE, and between the leaders and their supervisors
in Ottawa was by letter. There was no official postal service
in the areas they were working and travelling in, except through
the RNWMP post at Herschel Island and the post on Great
Bear Lake. Mail was carried in by boat each summer and by
dog team during the winter. Many times mail was delayed for
over a year, but at other times letters between parties would
have been delivered by hand with no delay.
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