Ice conditions prevented Juniata from advancing beyond Upernavik; De Long volunteered to take the ship's tender, a small steamer named the Little Juniata, in the hope of finding survivors at Cape York, a further 400 nautical miles (740 km) north.
Isforholdene forhindrede "Juniata" i at nå videre end Upernavik; De Long meldte sig til at tage skibets tender (en mindre båd), en lille damper ved navn "Little Juniata", i håb om at finde overlevende i Cape York, yderligere 400 sømil (740 km) mod nord.