Eight Retrace Tragic
Franklin Expedition

Ananova
Posted May 15, 2003

Eight adventurers braved freezing temperatures to become the first team to successfully retrace the steps of an ill-fated 19th century Arctic expedition.

The team completed an 18-day 200-mile trek to commemorate the journey of Sir John Franklin, whose bid to discover a vital sea trade route ended in tragedy.

Sir John set off in 1845 to discover the elusive North West Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via the frozen wastes of northern Canada.

The expedition became stranded on the ice and Franklin and the 128 men with him never returned.

The American Express Franklin Memorial Expedition team reached its destination, known as Starvation Cove, after enduring temperatures as low as -50C.

Team member Ralph Creswell, whose ancestor, Lieutenant Samuel Gurney Cresswell was on board one of the first expeditions that went in search of Franklin, said: "It's amazing to think that 150 years on, I have been making footprints in the same remote part of the world as my ancestor, having been inspired by his experience".

The team went from Sir John's initial landing - after his two ships were abandoned at Victory Point on King William Island - to Starvation Cove, where the last traces of some of his men were found.

The team's spokesman said this was the first time the full land route of Franklin's trip had been retraced at this time of year, giving them an insight into the choices of route made in 1848.

Previous evidence has suggested that members of the Franklin team may have resorted to cannibalism as they starved in the frozen wastes. In an earlier expedition, Franklin had resorted to eating his own shoes to head off starvation.

But mystery still surrounds his fateful, final trip and research from this expedition may give historians a better idea about what actually happened.

Related Arcticles: Following Franklin's Footsteps

Ananova

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