Underwater archaeologists recover belongings of Erebus crew

A team of underwater archaeologists from Parks Canada has recovered personal belongings from the crew of  HMS Erebus. 

 HMS Erebus was built by the Royal Navy in 1826 at Pembroke Dockyard in Wales. She was a converted Hecla-class bomber, and she was used to explore  the North and South poles during the Ross Expedition (Antarctica) of 1839-1843 and the failed Franklin Expedition (Arctic) of 1848. . 

The Franklin Expedition was tasked with crossing the last unexplored section of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. However, the expedition suffered disaster when HMS Erebus and her HMS Terror became iced out near King William Island. 

 After being trapped in the ice for a year, the crew abandoned ship and attempted to cross the sea ice on foot to mainland Canada, but died during the 450-mile journey. In 2014, the wreckage of  HMS Erebus was discovered by Canada's Victoria Strait Expedition in Wilmot and Crampton Bays on the west side of the Adelaide Peninsula. 

According to a recent press release from Parks Canada, underwater archaeologists  conducted 68 dives to investigate the wreck site of HMS Erebus, recovering hundreds of objects and producing thousands of high-resolution images. Photographed. 

"Carefully excavated artifacts were recovered to gather additional information about the 1845 Franklin Expedition, including naval technology, scientific research, and life on board," the announcement said. 

Researchers recovered items related to navigation and science, including a parallel ruler, an intact thermometer, a leather book cover, and a fishing rod with a brass reel. The team discovers items in the officer's quarters that they believe belong to  Lieutenant Henry Dundas Le Besconte. 

Image Credit : Parks Canada - Brett Seymour

Leather shoes and boot soles, storage bottles and sealed medicine bottles were also found in the captain's pantry. Ongoing excavation work at a cabin believed to have belonged to Lieutenant James Fairholme has uncovered a collection of unidentified fossils that complement the discoveries of the 2022 season. 

 Excavations of the forecastle area (where most of the crew lived) revealed a treasure trove of historical items, including pistols, military equipment, shoes, medical bottles, and coins. 

"The Franklin Expedition remains one of the most popular mysteries of the 19th century," said His Royal Highness Stephen Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada. Thanks to you," he said. Part of it is becoming a mysterious puzzle, which allows us to  understand more deeply the fascinating events of this incredible expedition. ”