Under Arctic Ice

by Harry Bates

"Under Arctic Ice" by Harry Bates is a scientific adventure novelette written in the early 20th century. The story follows Kenneth Torrance as he embarks on a perilous journey to rescue the crew of the missing submarine "Peary", believed to be trapped beneath the Arctic ice and at the hands of intelligent creatures known as sealmen. This tale combines elements of science fiction with a thrilling exploration of human endurance and courage in the face of dire circumstances. The plot centers on Kenneth Torrance, who, after being released from a sanitarium, learns about the missing "Peary" and feels compelled to act. Despite others dismissing his earlier encounters with the sealmen as insanity, he is determined to find and rescue the crew. After narrowly escaping a storm and crashing his plane into the icy waters, he utilizes a torpoon to navigate under the ice. Kenneth discovers the "Peary" ensnared by the sealmen, who harbor grudges against humans due to past conflicts. The story escalates to a tense climax as Kenneth devises a plan involving explosives to free the submarine's crew, while fighting against both time and sealmen seeking revenge. The narrative explores themes of survival, the intersection of man and nature, and the depths of desperation when faced with overwhelming odds.