Stuff You Should Know – The Mysterious Disappearance of the Franklin Expedition

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts explore the mysterious disappearance of the Franklin Expedition, a famous Arctic expedition in the mid-19th century that ended in tragedy. All 129 crew members, including the captain and expedition leader, perished, and the reasons for the expedition’s failure are still not fully understood. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by the expedition, the role of the Inuit in their survival, and the recent discoveries that shed light on their fate.

Main Takeaways

The Franklin Expedition and the Northwest Passage

• The Franklin Expedition was a famous Arctic expedition in the mid-19th century that ended in disaster.
• All 129 crew members, including the captain and expedition leader, perished and no one survived.
• The Northwest Passage was a route sought after by sailors to sail straight from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
• Charting the passage was a huge mission for the British Royal Navy in the mid-19th century.
• Many explorers attempted to chart and navigate the Northwest Passage, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that someone made it all the way through by ship.

John Franklin and the Role of Inuit

• John Franklin was a captain in the British Navy who became an Arctic explorer post-military downsizing.
• Inuit played a crucial role in the survival of Franklin and his crew in both failed expeditions.
• Franklin’s failed expeditions led to his knighthood, despite the failures and loss of life.
• The Inuit had an extensive and detailed oral history of the expeditions, but European explorers would not listen to them.
• Those who listened to the Inuit fared better on expeditions.

The Tragic Fate of the Franklin Expedition

• The crew of the Arctic expedition had three years of supplies, but eventually ran out and had to abandon the ships, leading to their demise.
• Lead poisoning from poorly designed food containers may have contributed to the deaths of crew members.
• Evidence of cannibalism was found, confirming the claims of crew member John Rae.
• Inuit reports suggest that four crew members survived for several years but were not found by search expeditions.
• The recent discovery of the Erebus and the Terror ships in 2014 and 2016 respectively provides new insights into the expedition.

Summary

The Franklin Expedition and the Northwest Passage

The Franklin Expedition was a renowned Arctic exploration mission in the mid-19th century. It aimed to chart the Northwest Passage, a sought-after route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. However, the expedition ended in tragedy, with all 129 crew members perishing. The Northwest Passage remained elusive until the 20th century when it was successfully navigated by ship.

John Franklin and the Role of Inuit

John Franklin, the expedition’s leader, gained notoriety for surviving a previous failed expedition and famously eating his boots to survive. Inuit communities played a crucial role in the survival of Franklin and his crew, providing valuable knowledge and assistance. However, European explorers often disregarded the Inuit’s oral history, leading to tragic consequences for subsequent expeditions.

The Tragic Fate of the Franklin Expedition

The Franklin Expedition faced numerous challenges, including lead poisoning from poorly designed food containers and the eventual depletion of supplies. Evidence of cannibalism was discovered, confirming the claims made by crew member John Rae. Recent discoveries of the Erebus and the Terror ships shed new light on the expedition, and it is believed that some crew members may have survived for several years before perishing.

Conclusion

The mysterious disappearance of the Franklin Expedition remains a tragic chapter in Arctic exploration. The expedition’s failure highlights the importance of listening to local knowledge and understanding the harsh realities of the environment. Recent discoveries continue to unravel the fate of the crew and provide valuable insights into this historical event.