This theory proved illusory; the expedition's ship, USS Jeannette and its crew of 33, was trapped by ice and drifted for nearly two years before she was crushed and sunk, north of the Siberian coast.
Denne teori viste sig illusorisk; ekspeditionens skib, USS "Jeannette" og dets besætning på 33 mand, blev fanget af is og drev i næsten to år, før hun blev knust og sank nord for den sibiriske kyst.