The last of the Arctic voyages : being a narrative of the expedition in H.M.S. Assistance under the command of Captian Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., in search of Sir John Franklin during the years 1852-53-54
Edward Belcher (Author), John Richardson (Contributor), John William Salter (Contributor), Richard Owen (Contributor), Thomas Bell (Contributor), Lovell Reeve (Publisher), John Edward Taylor (Printer), Vincent Brooks (Lithographer)
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 eventually took the decision to abandon four ships in the pack-ice. He recounts his unsuccessful adventure, defending his actions against critics. Belcher's five ship squadron was the last expedition sent out by the British government to determine the fate of John Franklin. All subsequent expeditions were privately sponsored
Print Book, English, 1855
Lovell Reeve, 5, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, 1855
2 volumes, 40 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations (some color), maps (some folded) ; 25 cm.
3556818
Pagination: Volume I: xx, 383 pages, 16 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations (some color), 2 folded maps; volume 2: vii, 419 pages, 24 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations (some color)
Plates signed: Vincent Brooks Lith
Includes index