Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen: The Disaster of Sir John Franklin

The "Advance" made a direct crossing of the James Ross Strait, but it wasn't all smooth sailing, pots and gunpowder were used, the crew was exhausted, and the temperature was thankfully tolerable, 30° Fahrenheit warmer than it was in the days of James Ross , the thermometer indicated 2°C. Saturday passed Cape Felix, one of the medium-sized islands in the northern seas, at the northern end of King Guillaume's domain. The crew felt a strong and painful pressure, and they cast curious but mournful glances at the archipelago they sailed along. At last he came to this land of King Guillaume, the theater where the most terrible tragedies of modern times are staged!A few nautical miles to the west was the wreck of the Edupos and the Terror.

The sailors of the March knew full well that their purpose in their trip was to retrieve Admiral Franklin and the gains, but they were ignorant of the harrowing details of the disaster.But as the doctor traced the ship's course on the map, many of them, Bell.Bourton, Simpson approached him, talked to him, and soon their companions followed, driven by a peculiar curiosity, during which time the ship sped along, and the coast, with its bays, capes, and headlands, Flickering before your eyes like a giant panorama. Hatteras, striding swiftly up the poop, with the doctor standing on deck, surrounded by most of the crew, knew the delicate situation, and knew that a speech on such an occasion would be helpful. What's the use, he continued Johnson's opening conversation:

"You know, my friends, what Franklin was like when he started, he was a midshipman like Cook and Nelson, he took part in the great voyages in his youth, he decided to devote himself in 1845 to the search for the Northwest Passage, he Leading the 'Utopus' and the 'Terror'. These two tried and tested ships had just completed an expedition to the South Pole under the command of James Ross in 1840. Franklin's officer on board the 'Utopus' Together with the sailors, there are a total of 70 people. Fitz-James is the captain, Gore Leviscond is the lieutenant, Devoe, Saljean, and Kush are the boatswain, and Stanley is the surgeon. The "Terror" There are 68 men, Captain Crozier, Lieutenants Hogdson Jr. and Irwin, Bosun Holsby and Thomas, Surgeon Peddie. You are able to operate in bays, capes, straits, headlands in these areas , fjords, and islands read the names of the vast majority of the unfortunate, not a single one will ever see his homeland again! 138 in all, and we know that Franklin's last letters were sent from Disko Island, dated July 1845 12. 'I hope,' he said, 'to sail for Lancaster tonight,' what has happened since he sailed from Disko Bay? The two ships were seen in Melville Sound, and from that day on they were heard no more. But we can follow Franklin westward, and he enters Lancaster and Borough Sounds to Beach Island, where he wintered in 1845-46."

"But how do people know such details?" Bell, the carpenter, asked. "From three graves found on the island during the Austin Expedition in 1850. Three of Franklin's sailors were buried in these graves. Then Lieutenant Hobson of the Fox found the date April 25, 1848 From these documents we learn that the 'Utopus' and the 'Terror' went up the Wellington Strait to the 77th latitude after wintering, but they did not continue northward, apparently the road was impassable, and they had to go south Row……" "That's their mistake!" said a firm voice. "Salvation is found in the North."

Everyone turns away.Leaning over the poop rail, Hatteras issued a dire warning to his crew. "There is no doubt," continued the doctor, "that it was Franklin's intention to return to the coast of America, but a storm was encountered on this unfortunate road, and on September 12, 1846, the two ships were a few nautical miles northwest of Cape Felix. They came across ice packs where they were taken all the way north-north-west of Cape Victory, right here," said the doctor, pointing to a point in the sea. "What happened during these 19 months? What did they do, these unfortunate people? No doubt they surveyed the adjacent area and did everything to survive, for the Admiral was a man of staunch strength! If He didn't make it..."

"That's because his crew may have betrayed him," said Hatteras muffled. The sailors dared not raise their eyes, these words hit their hearts hard. "In short, this fatal document also tells us that Sir John Franklin died of overwork on June 11, 1847. Let us remember him!" he said, taking off his hat. The listener silently imitates him. "What became of these unfortunate men without a leader during these 10 months? They stayed on board until April 1848, when they decided to leave. 105 of 138 remained, and 33 died! Captain Crowe Zill and Fitz-James erected a sign at Cape Victory, where they deposited the last papers. Behold, my friends, we are passing this cape! You can still see remnants of this sign, On this remote cape where John Ross came in 1831! This is Cape Jenny Franklin! This is Cape Franklin! This is Cape Les Conde! The dinghy made from the wreckage of the ship was placed on the sled! Silver spoons, a large amount of ammunition, chocolate, tea, and the Bible were also found there! Because the 105 people who survived went to the Great Wall under the leadership of Captain Crozier. Fish River going! Where can they go? Will they make it to Hudson Bay? How many survived? How have they been since the last departure?"

"I'll tell you what has become of them!" said Hatteras emphatically. "Indeed, they endeavored to think of Hudson's Bay, and they were divided into many parties! Indeed, they set out south! Indeed, in 1854, a letter from Dr. Ray wrote that the Eskimos in King Guillaume's domain in 1850 They encountered a party of 40 men hunting manatees, walking on ice and dragging a boat, emaciated, pale and miserable. They later found 30 dead bodies on land, 5 on a nearby island Some were only half buried, others were thrown there without a grave, some under capsized boats, some under fragments of tents, and here was an officer with his telescope slung over his shoulder and his rifle by his side, away from The cauldron was furthest away, and there was some dreadful food left in it! On hearing this, the Admiralty called upon the regiments stationed at Hudson's Bay to send their best men to the place of the accident. They traveled down the Buck River to the mouth of the .They went to Montreal Island, Marconos Island, Ogle Point. But found nothing! All these unfortunate people died of famine, died of pain, died of starvation, trying to prolong their lives by eating their own kind! This is Their end on the southbound road, filled with their mutilated bodies! Come on! You want to walk in their footsteps?"

Hatteras' shocking voice, frenetic movements, and passionate appearance produced an effect that cannot be described.The crew, excited by the proximity of this unfortunate region, exclaimed in unison: "North! North!" "There! Go north! Salvation and glory there! Go north! God has chosen for us! The wind has changed! The road is clear! Ready to go!" The sailors rushed to their work stations; the glacier tunnel was melting, and the "Advance" was advancing rapidly, and the horsepower was set to sail towards the Mike-Clindock Channel. Hatteras was justified in anticipating clearer seas, and he followed Franklin's pre-established route; he sailed along the east coast of the Prince of Wales, which had been identified at the time, but the other side had not yet. well known.Apparently the breakup of the pack ice to the south was effected by the eastern constriction, for the strait appeared to be perfectly clear; the "Forward" might have gained lost time; she was at full power, and on June 14th she passed Osborne Bay and remote locations reached during the 1851 voyage.There are still a lot of ice floes in the strait, but the "Forward" is no longer in danger of being blocked by ice floes.