Wentzel, British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1819-1822

• MS 802/1-2;D Account, 26 February 1821 [Mackenzie River, Winter Lake, Fort Enterprise] 7 leaves, holograph (Xerox)

The British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1819-1822 (Leader John Franklin) sometimes called the first Arctic Land Expedition sent to explore the north coast of America east from the mouth of Coppermine River to Hudson Bay. The expedition made use of both the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. After wintering at Cumberland House on the Saskatchewan River in 1819, the expedition, using Indian guides travelled via Fort Providence to Winter Lake. Here they erected Fort Enterprise, which became their winter quarters for 1820. The expedition left the fort in June 1821 and reached the sea in July before turning back at Point Turnagain on Dease Strait. The return journey was best with hardships, eleven members of the coastal party died from starvation and exposure. After a final winter in the north the survivors departed for England in the autumn of 1822. This expedition carried out detailed survey work exploring and charting newly discovered coastline and made extensive collections.

Chronological

This is a copy

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to this expedition, see SPRI collections GB 015 Sir John Franklin, GB 015 Sir George Back, GB 015 Robert Hood, GB 015 Sir John Richardson and GB 015 Great Britain, Admiralty

Original account held by the Royal Commonwealth Society (1982)