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Rectangular piece of wood
A rectangular piece of wood, possible from the lining of a box, from the 1845 Northwest Passage Expedition led by Sir John Franklin.
The piece of wood was recovered by the US expedition under Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka between 1878-1880. While it is not absolutely certain, it could be 'Item 80. Pieces of wood from Irving Bay' in the 1881 catalogue of items that he sent back to Britain in 1881 [TNA, ADM 1/6600].
Schwatka's expedition arrived at Irving Bay (their name for the bay just below Victory Point) on the north west coast of King William Island on 25 June 1879 where they discovered Lt. Irving's grave. Schwatka described the surrounding scene around the grave area but does not specifically mention anything about wood [Schwatka, page 82]. Niether Klutschak nor Gilder mention any wood from this site. This is the area known as 'Crozier's Camp' where the crews from Erebus and Terror landed after deserting the ships in April 1848.
The piece of wood is marked with a paper label '3', indicating it has been displayed in the Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich, 'Case 7, No. 3. Small articles from Irving Bay.'
The piece of wood was recovered by the US expedition under Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka between 1878-1880. While it is not absolutely certain, it could be 'Item 80. Pieces of wood from Irving Bay' in the 1881 catalogue of items that he sent back to Britain in 1881 [TNA, ADM 1/6600].
Schwatka's expedition arrived at Irving Bay (their name for the bay just below Victory Point) on the north west coast of King William Island on 25 June 1879 where they discovered Lt. Irving's grave. Schwatka described the surrounding scene around the grave area but does not specifically mention anything about wood [Schwatka, page 82]. Niether Klutschak nor Gilder mention any wood from this site. This is the area known as 'Crozier's Camp' where the crews from Erebus and Terror landed after deserting the ships in April 1848.
The piece of wood is marked with a paper label '3', indicating it has been displayed in the Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich, 'Case 7, No. 3. Small articles from Irving Bay.'
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Object Details
| ID: | AAA2255 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Polar Equipment and Relics |
| Type: | Box |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Unknown |
| Events: | Arctic Exploration: Franklin's Last Expedition, 1845-1848; Arctic Exploration: Franklin Search Expedition, Schwatka, 1878-1880 |
| Date made: | 26 Apr 1848; 11 Jul 1879 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. |
| Measurements: | Overall: 5 x 45 x 18 mm |
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