Petermann’s idea of a transpolar landmass was wrong. “Dr. Petermann’s theory was no longer tenable,” Danenhower wrote, “for its insularity was evident.” Wrangel had nothing whatsoever to do with Greenland. (So much for “the much-boasted continent,” Melville scoffed.) The maps could now be altered: WRANGEL LAND had been demoted; it was now just WRANGEL ISLAND.
