In Search of Lost Franklin Ships Erebus and Terror

In 1845 two ships led by Sir John Franklin, the HMS Erebus, and the HMS Terror left England in search of the Northwest Passage. The vessels were centrally heated to combat the bitter winds and external temperatures of -40 °C or lower; their bows were reinforced with steel to cut through the ice; and each boat was powered by a steam engine and screw propeller, giving a speed of 3-4 knots, to aid progress when there was insufficient wind for sailing or when pack ice obstructed their course. Fuel for the engines was limited, and their power was to prove inadequate. The complement of officers and men, of whom four were cabin boys, was one hundred and twenty-nine. In Greenland stores were off-loaded to supply provisions for three years. After leaving Greenland the expedition set sail and were spotted by two whalers north of Baffin Island. This would be the last time the ships and their men would ever be seen again. The pack ice made navigation nearly impossible, but after sailing around Cornwallis Island the ships wintered at Beechey Island. In the following winter of 1846-1847 the ships became trapped in the ice west of Somerset Island and Boothia Peninsula. In 1847 Sir Franklin died aboard the Erebus. During the winter of 1847-1848 the decision was made to abandon the ships in an effort to make it over the ice on foot. Not a single man survived the arduous journey. This month nearly 170 years after the ill-fated expedition set sail from England, the fourth government-led Canadian expedition will search for the lost vessels. This will be the largest to date involving federal departments and private interests. AUV, ROV and multibeam side scan sonar technology will be used in surveying two areas west of King William Island in Victoria Strait. Researchers hope to by using advanced technology, one of Canada’s greatest mysteries will finally be solved. The expedition which was launched the beginning of August is currently underway and will continue for a six week period.