It’s 22nd April, which means it’s Abandonment Day: the date HMS Erebus & Terror were abandoned by their crews in 1848. (We know this from the last addition to the Victory Point note, made by Captains Crozier & Fitzjames on 25th April 1848) www.historymuseum.ca/blog/a-very-...
"...if intelligence be not received, before the 31st March of the officers and crews of HMS Erebus and Terror being alive, they will be considered as having died in service." This "sentence of death", as Lady Franklin described it, fell on the #FranklinExpedition#NavalHistory
For James Fitzjames' birthday I will organise a tour. If you would like to join, please fill in this form to sign up: forms.gle/TyhyFXbaZuop... I'm really looking forward to it! 🥳
And is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.
New land archaeology paper out. Inuit testimony counters cannibalism assessment at the site that cold opens Frozen In Time. journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/ar...
New post on Captain Crozier’s adventures in secondary sources to date - there will be grumbling (all of it well deserved) #NavalHistory#PolarExplorationwww.thethousandthpart.com/notes/crozie...
I've been wandering around cemeteries looking for graves related to the #FranklinExpeditionfinger-post.blog/2024/02/18/r...
Radio interview with Parks Canada Manager Jonathan Moore. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-....
My latest Atlas Obscura column is live! On Terror Camp, an academic conference + fan con that truly sits at the intersections between those worlds. Featuring a bunch of extremely smart, extremely enthusiastic participants (led by the inimitable @tchotchke.bsky.social) who were a joy to talk to. 🥰
“It’s academia that feels criminally fun!”
When the National Portrait Gallery reopened in June 2023 the 'Arctic Council' portrait wasn't on display. Booo! So I arranged to visit the NPG's storage facility to view the painting there. Finally a good look at Fitzjames' portrait on the wall! Magnificent painting. #NavalHistory
