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Discovering Artifacts From The Doomed Arctic Voyage Of 1845

Carl Walker

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Published in Relics Of The Franklin Expedition: Discovering Artifacts From The Doomed Arctic Voyage Of 1845

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In 1845, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror set out on an ill-fated expedition to find the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic. The ships and their crews were lost, but their artifacts have been gradually discovered over the years, shedding light on the doomed voyage.

Relics of the Franklin Expedition: Discovering Artifacts from the Doomed Arctic Voyage of 1845

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The Franklin Expedition

The Franklin expedition was led by Sir John Franklin, a renowned Arctic explorer. The expedition consisted of two ships, the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror, and a crew of 129 men. The ships set sail from England in May 1845 and were last seen in Baffin Bay in August of that year.

The expedition became trapped in ice in the Canadian Arctic and the ships were abandoned in 1848. The crew attempted to reach safety on foot, but they all perished. The exact cause of the expedition's failure is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors, including poor planning, bad weather, and disease, contributed to the disaster.

The Discovery of the Artifacts

The first artifacts from the Franklin expedition were discovered in 1850 by a search party led by Sir John Ross. These artifacts included clothing, food, and equipment that had been abandoned by the crew. In the years that followed, other search parties discovered more artifacts, including the ships' logs and journals.

In 2014, the wreck of the HMS Erebus was discovered in the Canadian Arctic. The wreck was remarkably well-preserved, and it contained a wealth of artifacts, including food, clothing, and personal belongings. The discovery of the Erebus was a major breakthrough in the search for the lost Franklin expedition.

What the Artifacts Reveal

The artifacts that have been discovered from the Franklin expedition provide a valuable glimpse into the lives of the crew and the challenges they faced. The artifacts show that the crew was well-equipped for the expedition, but they were also unprepared for the harsh conditions they encountered in the Arctic.

The artifacts also reveal that the crew suffered from a number of illnesses, including scurvy and tuberculosis. The crew's diet was also inadequate, and they were forced to eat their dogs and even resorted to cannibalism.

The Legacy of the Franklin Expedition

The Franklin expedition was a tragic failure, but it also had a profound impact on Arctic exploration. The expedition's failure led to a number of changes in the way that Arctic expeditions were planned and carried out. It also raised awareness of the dangers of Arctic exploration and the importance of being prepared for the challenges that the Arctic can present.

The artifacts that have been discovered from the Franklin expedition are a reminder of the bravery and determination of the crew. They also serve as a warning about the dangers of Arctic exploration and the importance of being prepared for the challenges that the Arctic can present.

The discovery of artifacts from the Franklin expedition has shed light on one of the most tragic chapters in Arctic exploration. The artifacts provide a valuable glimpse into the lives of the crew and the challenges they faced. They also serve as a reminder of the dangers of Arctic exploration and the importance of being prepared for the challenges that the Arctic can present.

Relics of the Franklin Expedition: Discovering Artifacts from the Doomed Arctic Voyage of 1845

4.8 out of 5