275 artifacts were recovered from the wreckage of Franklin’s lost voyage

A team of archaeologists led by a government agency Parks Canada 275 discoveries were made from the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, two ships of Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition. The latest discoveries come about a decade after the wrecks were rediscovered in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The search was called off due to the pandemic.

On May 9, 1845, Franklin, a British naval officer from England, made his fourth and final voyage. Franklin, an expert who had already participated in three Arctic expeditions, set out to cross the last part of the untraveled Northwest Passage: a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that passes through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Arctic Ocean. Before long, the two ships under his command, the Erebus and the Terror, became ice-bound in the Victoria Strait of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic. All members of the 128-man expedition besides Franklin died. Franklin’s wife urged the British Crown to send out search parties, but all efforts failed and only a few remains were brought to light.

Over the next several years, the lost voyage prompted many expeditions by explorers, historians, and archaeologists who hoped to uncover the story of what happened to Franklin’s crew and ships.

In April 2022, archaeologists from Canada’s national parks organization, Parks Canada, along with conservationists from the Nautical Heritage Society, an Inuit association that oversees activities in their region, directed their research to an ice field near the wreck of HMS. Erebus is believed to be in a weaker position than HMS Terror.
Due to weather restrictions, the team had only 11 days to survey and excavate the wreckage, using special wetsuits heated by warm water pumped from the surface. In this short time, the archaeologists were able to make 56 dives, in which they were able to carefully examine the second lieutenant’s room, the third lieutenant’s room and the captain’s butler’s pantry. During these dives, they managed to find hundreds of objects.

“Located in one of the planet’s most unique and sensitive marine environments, the remains of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror are among the best-preserved wooden wrecks in the world. Important archaeological research in the area will improve our understanding of how changing climate conditions are affecting the region, creating an irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage. It helps protect and preserve,” he opined. Steven GilfieldMinister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

According to a statement, the artifacts will be held jointly by the Inuit Heritage Trust and the Government of Canada. It is not yet confirmed when the team will return to continue their studies of HMS Erebus or HMS Terror.