INTRODUCTION

THE SIR JOHN FRANKLIN FORUM (www.johnfranklinforum.com)

Introduction.

     Since ‘Franklin’s Fate’ and ‘Trapped’ were published, there have been a number of responses.  Most valuable was a correspondence with Captain David Woodman author of ‘Unravelling the Franklin Mystery’ and ‘Strangers among us’. It was he who chose not to ignore the Inuit testimony and began to unravel the history of the lost Franklin expedition. We have corresponded and today are in agreement that the two boats found in Erebus Bay were brought there in the 1848 retreat and that the ships were not based in Erebus Bay. I accept Captain Woodman’s observation that the tent in Terror Bay (see the ‘Black Men’ testimony) could not be seen from Imnguyaaluk  Island.  The story of distances seen at sea is presented here as a topic.  Our big difference remains in the time and place where HMS Terror was overthrown by ice action.  My case has it in 1847 before the 1848 retreat.  Captain Woodman believes HMS Terror was reoccupied and sailed to Terror Bay where she sank due to ice action probably in 1850. Captain Woodman regards the Inuit testimony of a manned ship in Terror Bay as HMS Terror, while I regard it as HMS Erebus. This places the black tent in Terror Bay in 1850 (probably after the 1850 retreat) as originally proposed by Captain Woodman. The testimonies of Kok-lee-arng-nun and others provide three different testimonies for the sinking of a ship, but only two ships participated in the expedition. In ‘Franklin’s Fate’ one of the testimonies was rejected. This decision is here reversed with the result described here that one ship may have died twice. 

     Understanding the history of the Franklin expedition can be an excellent arm-chair detective exercise. Inuit testimony often describes in graphic detail small incidents and events witnessed. But exactly where and when these small fragments of history occurred are not usually known.  This leads to considerable flexibility in their interpretation. The more I puzzle over the lost expedition, the more I realise it was overcome by a series of catastrophic events. The best equipped expedition with the best men selected from the Royal Navy would not yield the fight easily.  ‘Franklin’s Fate’ is a first pass based on Inuit testimony of what happened.  There is likely to be much more to their story. Over the coming years new information will continue to emerge from the work of Parks Canada on the wrecks. Parks Canada has not yet started interpreting the significance of their finds from the two ships. The divers are busy exploring, excavating and cataloguing the wrecks which will take time. It also takes some years to collect and ponder the vast Franklin literature. Maybe the subjects described here that have come to mind after reading the literature should help them and save them time.  

      As one of many ‘Franklinites’ who have puzzled for a lifetime over the loss of this great expedition (I am now 78 years of age), we enjoy being in our armchairs to savour every new crumb of information as it arrives.  Whatever comes out of the shipwrecks, the Inuit testimony will still be an important contribution. Expectations may be too high of what is still inside the ships (such as Sir John Franklin’s body and the logbooks). It may be that the details will not be learned until the records buried on land are located. 

      So here are 38 items to be considered and that need be woven into the tapestry of the reconstruction of how those courageous men of the lost expedition were defeated and were unable to return home.  New data is considered first, followed by older data, where several interpretations are possible. Hopefully a map will become available of the interior of HMS Terror (well shown in a Parks Canada video), where the empty shelving and overturned furniture might indicate how she was overthrown and dismasted. Perhaps others will contribute, so we can all watch the story finally emerging. 

    It is preferred that this forum not include discussion on the very many searches for the lost expedition, but concentrate on what actually happened to the lost expedition. . 

     In order to ensure that contributions are from human beings and genuine Franklin enthusiasts, it will be necessary to register with the website and to log on.

John Roobol, The Anchorage, Sandy Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3DN.

14th June 2021.

Roobolinc2000@hotmail.com

• This topic was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by John Roobol. Reason: init text
• This topic was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by John Roobol.
• This topic was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by John Roobol.