Memorials of the Sea
With 'The Franklin Expedition'

Published in 1835 and 1850, and reissued here together, these two works highlight the perils of seafaring and Arctic exploration.

William Scoresby (Author)

9781108073356, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 July 2014

506 pages
21.5 x 14 x 3.1 cm, 0.6 kg

Son of an Arctic whaler, William Scoresby (1789–1857) made the first of many voyages to northern latitudes when he was just ten years old. Later a scientist and clergyman, he wrote on a wide range of topics, and his observations on the Arctic prompted further exploration of the region. The two works reissued here together draw on his experience of seafaring in difficult conditions. First published in 1835, Memorials of the Sea is coloured by Scoresby's belief in divine providence. He discusses the observance of the Sabbath at sea, and considers the Mary Russell murders of 1828, where a ship's captain killed his crew. Scoresby interviewed the perpetrator himself and draws his own conclusions as to the meaning of the incident. The second work included in this reissue is The Franklin Expedition (1850), drawing together considerations relating to the fate and whereabouts of the missing explorers.

Part I. Memorials of the Sea: 1. Sabbaths in the Arctic region
2. Loss of the Esk, whaler
3. A glance at Iceland
4. The Mary Russell
5. The hurricane
Part II. The Franklin Expedition: Introductory remarks
1. The public duty
2. Historical sketch of the plan and outset of the missing expedition
3. Considerations as to present measures
4. The passage of the middle ice
5. On aids to the furtherance of research
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]