The Last of the Arctic Voyages
Being a Narrative of the Expedition in HMS Assistance, under the Command of Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., in Search of Sir John Franklin, during the Years 1852–54

This 1855 publication by the leader of an unsuccessful search for missing Arctic explorers describes the harsh conditions they encountered.

Edward Belcher (Author)

9781108028899, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 June 2011

476 pages, 26 b/w illus. 1 map
24.4 x 17 x 2.4 cm, 0.75 kg

When the experienced Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin (1786–1847) was put in command of an expedition in 1845 to search for the elusive North-West Passage he had the backing of the Admiralty and was equipped with two specially-adapted ships and a three-year supply of provisions. Franklin was last seen by whalers in Baffin Bay in July 1845. When the expedition failed to return in 1848, enormous resources were mobilised to try to discover its fate. In 1852 H.M.S. 'Assistance' was sent to lead another search mission. It was captained by Edward Belcher (1799–1877), who recounts his unsuccessful adventure in this illustrated two-volume book, first published in 1855. Volume 2 covers, and attempts to justify, Belcher's much-criticised decision to abandon four ships in the pack-ice. It also contains Belcher's views on reports of cannibalism among Franklin's crew, as well as scientific observations and a fascinating list of provisions.

1. Return of Osborn
2. Moor in-shore
3. Run of the ice
4. Increase of temperature
5. Land reached
6. Dangers of autumn
7. Lifting of the ship
8. Thaw
9. Import of instructions
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]