Best of 2016 - Arctic discoveries and NZ connections
Here's another Family History Best of 2016, this time from Marie:
One of the highlights of 2016 for me was the discovery of HMS Terror in the Arctic. The Terror was sister ship to HMS Erebus and both sank in the 1840s while on an exploration voyage to find the North-west passage. While it is thought that they came close to discovering the passage, it was the subsequent voyages that went in search of the lost ships that mapped much of Upper Canada and the Arctic Circle.
Erebus is, of course well-known to New Zealanders as being the site of the largest airline fatality in New Zealand and at the time it was said that everyone either knew someone on the flight or knew of someone who had a direct link. For me, I had distant relatives and a friend’s brother who lost their lives but my link also goes back to the original ships as my three times great-grandmother’s brother served on both ships - Erebus on her voyage of discovery to the Antarctic with Sir James Clark Ross’ expedition when the mountains were named, and Terror where he served on board as cook. His name is immortalised along with others from the latter expedition on the Franklin memorial at Waterloo Place, London (near St James’ Park).Some may not realise but the ships also called in to New Zealand on their way to the Antarctic in 1841.
The loss of these ships has generated many theories as to what happened to the crews, and as a consequence, a number of books have been written theorising what may or may not have happened.
Erebus was discovered on 2 September 2014 and Terror was found two years later on 12 September 2016. This year, 2016, there was also some talk about having a national memorial for those who lost their lives on the fated Air New Zealand flight as 28 November 2019 will mark 40 years since that fateful flight.
Here are some links with video of the ships underwater and books held at Auckland Libraries if you are interested in learning more about the ships and their fated voyage.
Parks Canada website for HMS Erebus (includes video)
Independent newspaper – discovery of HMS Terror (includes video)
Frozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition by Owen Beattie & John Geiger
Franklin: tragic hero of polar navigation by Andrew Lambert
Ross in the Antarctic: the voyages of James Clark Ross in Her Majesty's ships Erebus & Terror, 1839-1843 by M.J. Ross
A voyage of discovery and research in the southern and Antarctic regions, during the years 1839-43 by Captain Sir James Clark Ross
Polar explorers for kids: historic expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica with 21 activities by Maxine Snowden
The Arctic grail: the quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole, 1818-1909 by Pierre Berton
Author: Marie Hickey - Research Central
One of the highlights of 2016 for me was the discovery of HMS Terror in the Arctic. The Terror was sister ship to HMS Erebus and both sank in the 1840s while on an exploration voyage to find the North-west passage. While it is thought that they came close to discovering the passage, it was the subsequent voyages that went in search of the lost ships that mapped much of Upper Canada and the Arctic Circle.
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| "Erebus" and "Terror" in New Zealand, August 1841, by John Wilson Carmichael (Public domain) |
#/media/File:%27Erebus%27_and_the_%27Terror%27_in_New_Zealand,_August_1841_by_John_Wilson_Carmichael.jpg){kind=link}
Erebus is, of course well-known to New Zealanders as being the site of the largest airline fatality in New Zealand and at the time it was said that everyone either knew someone on the flight or knew of someone who had a direct link. For me, I had distant relatives and a friend’s brother who lost their lives but my link also goes back to the original ships as my three times great-grandmother’s brother served on both ships - Erebus on her voyage of discovery to the Antarctic with Sir James Clark Ross’ expedition when the mountains were named, and Terror where he served on board as cook. His name is immortalised along with others from the latter expedition on the Franklin memorial at Waterloo Place, London (near St James’ Park).Some may not realise but the ships also called in to New Zealand on their way to the Antarctic in 1841.
The loss of these ships has generated many theories as to what happened to the crews, and as a consequence, a number of books have been written theorising what may or may not have happened.
Erebus was discovered on 2 September 2014 and Terror was found two years later on 12 September 2016. This year, 2016, there was also some talk about having a national memorial for those who lost their lives on the fated Air New Zealand flight as 28 November 2019 will mark 40 years since that fateful flight.
Here are some links with video of the ships underwater and books held at Auckland Libraries if you are interested in learning more about the ships and their fated voyage.
Parks Canada website for HMS Erebus (includes video)
Independent newspaper – discovery of HMS Terror (includes video)
Related reading
Franklin's lost ship: the historic discovery of HMS Erebus by John Geiger and Alanna MitchellFrozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition by Owen Beattie & John Geiger
Franklin: tragic hero of polar navigation by Andrew Lambert
Ross in the Antarctic: the voyages of James Clark Ross in Her Majesty's ships Erebus & Terror, 1839-1843 by M.J. Ross
A voyage of discovery and research in the southern and Antarctic regions, during the years 1839-43 by Captain Sir James Clark Ross
Polar explorers for kids: historic expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica with 21 activities by Maxine Snowden
The Arctic grail: the quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole, 1818-1909 by Pierre Berton
Author: Marie Hickey - Research Central
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