Griffiths, correspondence

This material is held atScott Polar Research Institute Archives, University of Cambridge

Reference
- GB 15 Edward Griffiths/Correspondence
Dates of Creation
- 1847
Name of Creator
- Edward Griffiths
Physical Description
- 2 letters, set of suggestions

Scope and Content

MS 248/412/1;D Letter to John Barrow, 4 June 1847 [Urging search of Bering strait as well as the eastern route for Sir John Franklin]
MS 248/412/2;D Letter to W A B Hamilton, 12 July 1847 [Regarding Franklin search expedition]
MS 248/412/3;D Suggestions as to the best mode of relieving the Arctic Expedition under Sir John Franklin, undated

Administrative / Biographical History

The correspondence and suggestions relate to the need to search for the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin). Griffiths recommends that a search of the Bering Sea be undertaken.

In 1845 Sir John Franklin sailed north in command of the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition. Sent by the Admiralty the two ships HMS Erebus (Franklin) and HMS Terror (Francis Crozier) were to search for a passage via Lancaster Sound. With provisions designed to last three years the expedition sailed north in May 1845. Whalers in Baffin Bay were the last Europeans to see the two ships in July of 1845.

Many searches were conducted for the missing expedition during the course of which the main facts regarding the route taken and the final fate of the expedition were established.

Arrangement

Alphabetical

Related Material

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin) see SPRI collections GB 15 Sir John Franklin, GB 15 Geoffrey Callender, GB 15 John Colston, GB 15 Edward Couch, GB 15 Sophia Cracroft, GB 15 Francis Crozier, GB 15 Richard Cyriax, GB 15 Earl of Auckland, GB 15 John Fitzjames, GB 15 Jane Franklin, GB 15 Graham Gore, GB 015 John Gregory, GB 15 Alexander McDonald, GB 15 Charles Osmer and GB 15 Steven Stanley

The Institute also holds numerous archival collections containing material relating to the search expeditions sent to discover the fate of Franklin and his men

Correspondence by Griffiths can also be found amongst the Back collection held by the Institute (MS 395/44;BL GRIFFITHS EDWARD Letter to George Eden, Earl of Auckland, 23 October 1848 [Request for promotion to Commander] holograph)