- MS 1199/1/2;MJ Journal, 4 May 1819 to 29 October 1820 [HMS Hecla] microfilm
Parry, British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1819-1820
This material is held atScott Polar Research Institute Archives, University of Cambridge
- Reference
- GB 15 Sir William Edward Parry/British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1819-1820
- Dates of Creation
- 1819-1820
- Name of Creator
- Physical Description
- 1 microfilm
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1819-1820(led by Parry) was dispatched to search Lancaster Sound for a passage west. The expedition occurred at the same time as the British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1819-1822 (leader John Franklin) was making an overland exploration of the north coast of America.
Parry sailed on HMS Hecla with Matthew Liddon on board HMS Gripper. The two ships were deliberately over wintered in the Arctic at Winter Harbour, Melville Island. While the ships were trapped in the ice Parry carried out an exploration of Melville Island.
This was an extremely successful Arctic expedition which identified Lancaster Sound as the main contender for a Northwest Passage, by crossing the 110° meridian in a high northern latitude the expedition qualified for the 5,000 prize offered by the Board of Longitude.
Arrangement
Chronological
Alternative Form Available
This is a copy
Location of Originals
MS 1199/1/2;MJ Naval Library (1982)