Sir John Franklin's Erebus and Terror Expedition: Lost and Found by Gillian Hutchinson

[gilda_elise]

The true story of Sir John Franklin's fateful expedition in HMS Erebus and HMS Terror of the North-West Passage in 1845, and the eventual discovery of the ships' wrecks in 2014 and 2016.

In 1845, British explorer Sir John Franklin set out on a voyage to find the North-West Passage--the sea route linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. The expedition was expected to complete its mission within three years and return home in triumph but the two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and the 129 men aboard them disappeared in the Arctic. The last Europeans to see them alive were the crews of two whaling ships in Baffin Bay in July 1845, just before they entered the labyrinth of the Arctic Archipelago.

The loss of this British hero and his crew, and the many rescue expeditions and searches that followed, captured the public imagination, but the mystery surrounding the expedition's fate only deepened as more clues were found. How did Franklin's final expedition end in tragedy? What happened to the crew?

The thrilling discoveries in the Arctic of the wrecks of Erebus in 2014 and Terror in 2016 have brought the events of 170 years ago into sharp focus and excited new interest in the Franklin expedition. This richly illustrated book is an essential guide to this story of heroism, endurance, tragedy and dark desperation.

Though I’d read several books about the Franklin Expedition, I couldn’t pass up this one when I noticed it in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. I already knew much of what was in this book, but I think it would be an excellent start to anyone who was just beginning their study of the doomed voyage.

The book is very readable, and the many pictures and illustrations (they make up over half of the 175 pages,) are excellent. The photos of the Erebus’ captain and officers, as well as Captain Crozier of the Terror, are a definite bonus. They make the information presented come alive.






Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.


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Comments

[lee-the-t.livejournal.com]

I read this book last year (I guess - fairly recently). I found it a little bit ... I don't know. Uneven in the professional tone. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it. But I think there was too much "He felt this" or "He thought that" when in fact no one actually knows what the person in question thought. It put me off. Overall, I enjoyed it. Like you, I'm interested in the Franklin expedition and the whole Northwest Passage saga - I can't even IMAGINE being in such a terrifying environment with only the standard gear of the 18th or 19th century to save you.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I think I was able to overlook its flaws because of all the excellent pictures. Not a lot of new information, though. I thought there might be with the finding of the ships, but even that was better covered by a documentary I watched. But, yes, it was enjoyable.

I've never understood how any man could survive the conditions. Their coats were wool, and it sounds as if their shoes weren't much of anything. It's a wonder any of the expeditions made it.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Sounds like another fascinating subject and book. (I can never think of the North West Passage without thinking of Spencer Tracy!)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It its a fascinating subject. What the men went through was utterly amazing. I've read better books on the subject, but the book more than made up for its lack of new information with the superb photos.

The way the indigenous population is portrayed in those older movies tends to put me off, but it's one I still might look into since I've always liked Spencer Tracy.