Mecham, British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1852-1854

• MS 216/1/2;MJ Journal, 22 September to 14 October 1852 [Sledge journey] microfilm
• MS 216/1/3;MJ Journal, 4 April to 6 July 1853 [Sledge journey] microfilm
• MS 216/1/5;MJ Journal, 3 April to 12 June 1854 [Sledge journey] microfilm

The British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1852-1854 (leader Sir Edward Belcher) explored the regions of Wellington Channel and Melville Island in search of the missing British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition. Belcher was general commander of a squadron of five ships. HMS Assistance and HMS Pioneer (Sherard Osborn) were under his direct control while HMS Resolute (Henry Kellett) HMS Intrepid (Francis McClintock) sailed to Melvile Island (British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1852) and HMS North Star (William Pullen) sailed to Beechey Island to serve as a base.

Belcher sailed up Wellington Channel discovering Northumberland Sound. Spring sledging expeditions added to this discovery. Assistance and Pioneer were abandoned in 1854 as were Resolute and Intrepid.

Chronological

These are copies

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to this expedition, see SPRI collections GB 015 Sir George Back, GB 015 Sir Francis Leopold McClintock, GB 015 Sherard Osborn and GB 015 George Strong Nares, GB 015 Sir George Richards and GB 015 David Lyall.

Original journals held by the Public Record Office (1982)