McClintock, British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1851

• MS 1;MJ Journal, 25 August to 31 December 1850 [Voyage of HMS Assistance (Ommaney)] microfilm
• MS 92;MJ Diary, 1850 to 1851 [Sledge journey] microfilm
• MS 216/2/3;MJ Journal, 15 April to 4 July 1851 [Sledge journey HMS Perseverance] microfilm
• MS 216/2/5;MJ Report, 7 November 1851 [To the Arctic Committee regarding equipment] microfilm

The British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1851 (leader Horatio Austin) was to search for the missing British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin) via Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound. Four ships HMS Resolute (Austin), HMS Assistance (Erasmus Ommanney), HMS Intrepid (John Cator) and HMS Pioneer (Sherard Osborn) sailed from London.

The expedition joined with the British Franklin Search Expedition, 1850 (leader Charles Forsyth), the British Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1851 (leader William Penny), the British Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1851 (leader Sir John Ross) and the United States Franklin Search Expedition, 1850-1851 (leader Edwin De Haven). The expeditions proved that Franklin had wintered at Beechey Island. Costal surveys, sledging expeditions and scientific observations were conducted during the expedition.

Chronological

MS 1;MJ, MS 92;MJ and MS 216/2/5;MJ are copies

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to this expedition, see SPRI collections GB 015 Robert Allen, GB 015 Sir Horatio Austin, GB 015 Sir George Back, GB 015 John Cator, GB 015 James Elliott, GB George Mecham GB 015 Sir Eresmus Ommanney and GB 015 Sherard Osborn for more details.

MS 1;MJ National Maritime Museum, MS 216/2/5;MJ Public Record Office England (1982)