An Arctic Voyage to Baffin's Bay and Lancaster Sound
In Search of Friends with Sir John Franklin

First published in 1850, this short first-hand account of an Arctic rescue mission reveals the dangers encountered in forbidding conditions.

Robert Anstruther Goodsir (Author)

9781108071659, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 February 2014

168 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.22 kg

In 1847, Sir John Franklin and his crew perished on their Arctic expedition. The following years saw multiple attempts to discover what happened to them. First published in 1850, this short account by Robert Anstruther Goodsir (1823–95) is based on the journal he kept while serving as surgeon during an 1849 mission in search of the missing explorers. Seeking to find his brother, Harry, who was assistant surgeon and naturalist on Franklin's expedition, Goodsir vividly describes the various dangers encountered, such as ice floes, icebergs, storms and shipwrecks. Moreover, he takes note of wildlife, notably birds and fish, and records interactions with Inuit. The perspective offered by a medical man, with a keen desire to raise awareness of ongoing rescue efforts, adds further interest to the narrative. Several other works relating to the expeditions in search of Sir John Franklin have also been reissued in this series.

Preface
Chapters 1-5.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]