Charles H. Sternberg’s Lost Dinosaurs: A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy
The Discovery of Spinops sternbergorum
In 1916, paleontologist Andrew Farke and colleagues unveiled a previously unknown, multi-horned dinosaur named Spinops sternbergorum. The discovery was made in the collections of London’s Natural History Museum, where the fossils had been overlooked for nearly a century. Spinops sternbergorum was collected by veteran dinosaur hunter Charles H. Sternberg and his sons in Alberta, Canada.
Sternberg’s Expedition
In 1916, Charles H. Sternberg began working for the Natural History Museum. The Geological Survey of Canada had halted its dinosaur collecting efforts, but Sternberg was determined to continue. With funding from the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund, Sternberg and his crew set out to find high-quality dinosaur skeletons in Alberta.
The Loss of the SS Mount Temple
Sternberg’s expedition was successful, and he collected several promising specimens, including what would later be identified as Spinops sternbergorum. However, tragedy struck when a German military vessel sank the SS Mount Temple, carrying the second shipment of fossils. The loss of these specimens was a major setback for Sternberg and the Natural History Museum.
Financial Struggles and Broken Promises
Sternberg was devastated by the loss of his fossils and faced financial ruin. Despite repeated requests, the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund refused to provide additional funding. The Natural History Museum also showed little interest in supporting Sternberg’s work. This led to a bitter dispute between Sternberg and the museum.
Aftermath and Legacy
Despite the setbacks, Sternberg persevered and continued to collect fossils for many years. The sinking of the SS Mount Temple had a lasting impact on his relationship with the Natural History Museum, but it did not extinguish his passion for paleontology.
The Significance of the Lost Fossils
The loss of the fossils on the SS Mount Temple was a significant event in the history of paleontology. The specimens were believed to include high-quality skeletons of Corythosaurus, a relatively rare dinosaur. However, other, more complete individuals have been found since then, so the loss was not as devastating as initially feared.
Conclusion
The story of Charles H. Sternberg’s lost dinosaurs is a tale of triumph and tragedy. Despite the setbacks he faced, Sternberg remained dedicated to his work and made significant contributions to the field of paleontology. The sinking of the SS Mount Temple serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in scientific expeditions.
