Ross, British Naval Expedition

Archive Unit

Scope and Content

  • MS 1556;BJ Letter book, July 1840 (letter number 133) to September 1843 [HMS Erebus and HMS Terror] 1 volume
  • MS 600/4;D Despatch to the Admiralty, April 1841 [From HMS Erebus in Hobart, to R M O'Farrall MP, reporting proceedings since 11 November [1840]] 15 leaves, photocopy

Administrative / Biographical History

The British Naval Expedition, 1839-1843 (Captains James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier) carried out Hydrographic and magnetic surveys of the southern oceans. The expedition ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror made three southern voyages.

During the 1841 voyage the expedition charted part of the Victoria Land coast, discovering Ross Island and the great ice barrier (Ross Ice Shelf). The second voyage south in 1842 called at the Falkland Islands, while on the final southern voyage, 1842 landings were made along the Antarctic Peninsular.

During the expeditions stay in Hobart a geophysical observatory was established with the Governor's (Sir John Franklin) co-operation.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Alternative Form Available

MS 600/4;D is a copy.

Related Material

The Scott Polar Research Institute holds a number of photographs, film and other illustrative material in the Picture Library, some of which covers this expedition. The catalogue can be searched on line by going to the Picture Library Database and selecting the Enter Polar Pictures link.

See GB 015 British Naval Expedition, 1839-1842 for more information on this expedition

Location of Originals

MS 600/4;D original held by the Public Record Office, Kew, London (in 1982)