The Vanished Northwest Passage Arctic Expedition

In 1845, Sir John Franklin commanded two ships on an expedition to find a Northwest Passage from England through the Arctic and over to Asia. The expedition was not successful, and the sunken ships were recently discovered in the icy Arctic waters. What happened to Franklin and his men, and what messages did they leave behind?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 32 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Capstone Global Library Ltd

In 1845, Sir John Franklin embarked on an ambitious expedition to find a Northwest Passage from England through the Arctic and over to Asia. The goal was to establish a faster route for transporting goods from Asia to Europe and back, which would have significant economic implications. However, fate had other plans for Franklin and his crew. Despite their best efforts, the expedition ended in tragedy, with both of Franklin's ships sinking in the icy waters of the Arctic.

The discovery of the sunken ships only recently sheds light on the fate of Franklin and his men. The ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, were found in the Arctic Ocean in 2014 and 2018, respectively. The search for the expedition was sparked by a series of letters written by Franklin's wife, Jane, in which she expressed her concern for her husband's safety.

The discovery of the ships has provided valuable insights into the last days of the expedition. The crew of the Erebus was found frozen to death, while the crew of the Terror had died from exposure to the elements. The ships were well-equipped for the Arctic conditions, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by the harsh weather and the treacherous waters.

In addition to the physical evidence found on the ships, researchers have also been able to uncover a wealth of information from the journals and letters of the crew. These documents provide a detailed account of the expedition's struggles, including the challenges of navigating the Arctic, the scarcity of food and supplies, and the onset of disease.

The discovery of the sunken ships has also raised many questions about the fate of Franklin and his men. Did they perish in a tragic accident, or were they victims of cannibalism or other foul play? The answers to these questions may never be known, but the expedition continues to fascinate and intrigue researchers and enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, the discovery of the sunken ships of Sir John Franklin's expedition has provided a new perspective on the tragic tale of one of history's most famous explorers. The expedition's legacy lives on in the ongoing search for answers to the mysteries surrounding Franklin and his men, and in the enduring fascination with the Arctic and its unforgiving environment.

Weight: 104g
Dimension: 173 x 229 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398242364