Life of Sir John Franklin and the North-west Passage

Front matter

Ube TOorl6fc

THE LIBRARY

OF

Preface

"To live with fame The gods allow to many ; but to die With equal lustre is a blessing Heaven Selects from all the choicest boons of fate, And with a sparing hand on few bestows."

— Glover.

There are few names that have been more prominently brought to the notice of students of geographical research, during the present century, than that of Sir John Franklin. It will occur to them as that of a skilful sailor, an ardent explorer, an able administrator, and above all, as that of a daring and successful Arctic navigator. Not only is his name connected with good and useful service accomplished in those capacities, and more especially with the discovery of those northern regions in the exploration of which he eventually sacrificed his life, but it is also associated at an early period of his professional career, with the survey and exploration of that Greater Britain of the southern hemisphere, Australia. Moreover, it was subsequently connected for many years with Van Diemen's Land, over which colony he ruled with ability, and with a wise forethought for its future prosperity and development.

The history of the life of such a man, one who has

2065245 vi PREFACE.

so deservedly earned for himself a conspicuous place on the list of distinguished explorers in various parts of the globe, should not remain untold and practically unknown. It is therefore not inappropriate that it should form the subject of a biographical sketch, in a series the main object of which is to impart geogi\aphical information.

In his exertions to increase our knowledge of geography, especially in those regions whose southern limit is bounded by the Arctic circle, Sir John Franklin occupies an almost unique position among the numerous gallant and able explorers who have both preceded and followed him. It is only necessary to glance in a superficial way over the published records of Franklin's naval career, to be satisfied that he was a man of dauntless courage, indomitable energy and perseverance, brave and resolute in overcoming difficulties. He was a courageous leader, combining tact and discretion with a daring which might almost be considered as bordering on rashness; above all, he possessed a rare capacity for encountering, with a cheerful and contented spirit, hardships and privations of no ordinary kind. He was, in its fullest sense, a born leader, evincing on several occasions a resolute determination and dogged inflexibility of purpose, under circumstances and conditions sufficiently appalling to test the courage and the endurance of the bravest of men.

To those who have interested themselves in Arctic research, the name of Sir John Franklin is of course familiar, not only from the discoveries he achieved in high latitudes, but also on account of that halo of romantic uncertainty which kept his fate, and that of his brave companions, enshrouded in mystery for such a long time. The numerous expeditions that were despatched for the purpose of endeavouring to obtain

PREFACE. vii

information regarding the missing ships, also absorbed a large share of public interest for many years.

It is a very safe assertion to make that if it had not been for Sir John Franklin, and the exertions that were made to ascei'tain his fate, our knowledge of the North Polar regions would be a great deal more limited than it is at present ; for the fact must not be lost sight of that the result of the examination made by the several search expeditions sent in quest of Sir John and those under his command, was the achievement of valuable geographical and other scientific results, that would otherwise, in all probability, never have been accomplished. It is therefore only due to the memory of Sir John Franklin to say that to him, directly and indirectly, we owe the discovery and exploration of a very large portion of the Arctic basin.

It is earnestly to be hoped that the work so energetically and so ably commenced by Sir John Franklin, and for the accomplishment of which he laid down his life, may again be resumed, and eventually brought to a glorious and successful termination. We shall then be able to say, that the lives of Franklin and his gallant companions have not been sacrificed in vain, and we shall be able to reflect with pride on the share, and let us hope it will be a large one, that our countrymen have had in the successful achievement of this great geographical work.

In the compilation of this volume I have endeavoured to introduce, as much as possible, in accordance with the expressed wish of my Editors, the personal element, and to render it as true and as complete a narrative of the life of Sir John Franklin as the materials at my disposal would permit.

The authorities I have been able to refer to, for rati able information in connection with his life, have been viii PREFACE.

very few, and have been confined principally to the logs, journals, and other documents I was permitted to consult in the Public Record Office.

The compilation of the work has, in consequence of the nature of my professional duties, occupied me for some time, but the dove-tailing together of all the information I have succeeded in obtaining, and which has reached me in a somewhat piecemeal fashion, has been a labour of love, and a task in the execution of which I have been deeply interested. Any shortcomings or incoherence in the narrative that may strike the critical reader will, I hope, be ascribed to the difficulties under which I laboured, and to the meagreness of all authentic information that has hitherto been published in connection with the subject of this memoir.

I was fortunately successful at the outset in enlisting the sympathy of Miss Sophia Cracroft, the talented niece of Sir John Franklin, in my undertaking, who most kindly placed at my disposal information that I should otherwise have been unable to obtain.

My thanks are also due to Colonel John Barrow, who, directly he was made acquainted with the nature of my work, most generously afforded me all the assistance in his power, and kindly placed at my disposal his collection of the portraits of Arctic worthies, painted by the eminent artist Mr. Stephen Pearce, some of which have been photographed and reproduced here as illustrations. And last, but not least, my grateful thanks are due to Sir Leopold M'Clintock, who kindly looked over the proofs of my narrative relating to that most successful journey of his which definitely cleared up the mystery attached to the fate of Sir John Franklin, and who also made many valuable suggestions of which I was only too glad to avail myself. A. H. M.

Contents

CHAP. PAGE I. CHILDHOOD — ENTERS THE NAVY — BATTLE OP COPEN- HAGEN I

II. EXPLORATION OF AUSTRALIA 1 7

III. FLINDERS AND BASS — EXAMINATION OF THE SEA-BOARD

Chapter I. Childhood— Enters The Navy— Battle Of Copenhagen

1786-1801.

" All my delight on deedes of armes is sett, To bunt out perilles and adventures hard, By sea, by land, whereso they may be mett, Onely for honour and for high regard, Without respect of richesse or reward."

— Spenseb.

Situated on an eminence of the wolds in Lincolnshire, and overlooking an extensive tract of fen-land to the southward, is the picturesque market-town of Spilsby. Plainly visible above the trees and houses, and standing out in conspicuous relief against the sky, is seen the square tower of its church, surmounted by a pinnacle at each of its angles.

Pretty as is the outside of this little church, the chief interest connected with it is centred in the interior, where are the tombs of departed worthies, who once were powerful in Lincolnshire. On the north side of the chancel is the Willoughby Chapel, containing the

a

LIFE OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

tombs of John, second Lord Willoughby of Eresby, who fought at the battle of Cressy; of John, the tbird Lord, who was at the battle of Poitiers ; of tbe fourth and fifth Lords; of Richard Bertie and his wife, the Duchess of Suffolk (who was Baroness Willoughby in her own right), and many others. At the west end

SPILSBY CHURCH.

of the church, and facing the south, are three marble mural tablets, which are specially interesting to us. One has been erected to the memory of Sir Willingham Franklin, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Madras, who died on the 31st May 1824, in the forty-fifth year of his age. Another is to the memory of Major James Franklin, a distinguished

1801.] SPILSBY CHURCH. 3

officer of the Indian army, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, who died on the 31st August 1834, aged fifty-one years. The third tablet bears the following inscription : —

In Memory of Captain Sir

Born at Spilsby 16 April 1786.

Erected by his Widow.

These three men, all of whom attained eminence in their several professions, were brothers, sons of Willingham and Hanah Franklin. They were born in the little town of Spilsby, and all were baptized in that same church in which is now briefly recorded the history of their lives.1

The time when the Franklin family settled at Spilsby has not been accurately ascertained, but that members of it must have resided there during the greater part of the eighteenth century, engaged probably in mercantile pursuits, is evident from an examination of the parish register. In 1779 Willingham Franklin, the father of the subject of these memoirs, purchased the freehold of a small one-storied house, situated in the main street of Spilsby, nearly in the centre of the town, and not far from the market -cross, which is a plain octagonal shaft

1 A description of the interior of the church would not be complete without allusion to a black board hanging up in the inner porch at the west end, on which, in large white letters, is quaintly annouced that on the 31st December 1786 (the year in which Sir John Franklin was born), seven six-bell peals were rung in the church, consisting of 5040 changes, in two hours and forty minutes ! The sturdy villagers who accomplished this feat, which has been considered sufficiently worthy of being chronicled, were, we are informed, J. and Jo. Haw, G. and J. Houlden, and T. and lid. Martin.

with a quadrangular base on five steps. This house, in which John Franklin was ushered into the world, is still in existence, but it is now the property of a coachmaker, who is, however, always ready and willing to show the little room upstairs in which, it is said, the distinguished Arctic Navigator was born. It was sold by William Franklin in 1796. It was bought by Lady Franklin in about 1873, with the object of using it as a museum, in which to exhibit the many articles and curiosities collected by her husband, during his long and adventurous career in different parts of the globe. This laudable intention was, however, frustrated by the death of her Ladyship, which event occurred before her wishes could be accomplished, and the house was then sold to its present occupier.

The town-hall of Spilsby was built in 1765, but calls for no special remark.

At the west end of the town is a fine avenue which leads to the site of Eresby Hall. This charming residence was destroyed by fire in about 1768, and has never been rebuilt ; it was the seat of the Duke of Ancaster, who represented the Willoughby family.

John Franklin was the youngest son of a large family, consisting of four boys and six girls. Nine were born at Spilsby, and their births are duly recorded in the parish register.

Thomas Adams, the eldest son of Willingham Franklin, was born in November 1773. In after years he raised a regiment of yeomanry cavalry and was nominated its colonel. He died at Spilsby on Oct. 11, 1807.

Willingham Franklin, the second son, was born in November 1779, and was therefore John's senior by seven years ; he was educated at Westminster, where he

1801.] THE FRANKLIN FAMILY. 5

got head into College when he was fourteen years of age. He was a Scholar of Corpus in 1776; Fellow of Oriel in 1 80 1 ; M.A. 1803 ; called to the Bar of the Inner Temple, and was made Puisne Judge in the Supreme Court of Madras in April 1822. He died of cholera at Madras on June 1, 1824.

James Franklin, who was born in May 17 S3, was also a very distinguished man. Educated at Addiscombe, he entered the East India Company's service in 1805. He served with distinction in the Pindaxi war, and as major of a cavalry regiment was Assistant-Quartermaster-General of the Bengal army. He was a very accomplished officer, and was employed on important surveys. Among others, he surveyed the whole of Bandalkhand (18 15-21), and executed a valuable map of that region, accompanied by a memoir on its geology. His field-books are still preserved at the India Office. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society. He died on the 31st August 1834, aged fifty-one, and was buried in St. John's Chapel, Marylebone.

Isabella, the ninth child, was born on the 12th April 1 79 1, and was married to Thomas Robert Cracroft. They had issue Miss Sophia Cracroft, the niece and devoted friend and companion of Lady Franklin.

Henrietta, the youngest daughter, married Mr. Richard Wright, and died in 1884, at the advanced age of ninety, at Wrangle, near Boston. Her son is the present Canon Arthur Wright, Rector of Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

John, the youngest of the four sons, was born on the 1 6th April 1786, and was baptized two days afterwards in the parish church. He was first sent to a preparatory school at St. Ives, in Huntingdonshire, and subse-

LIFE OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

quently, at the age of twelve, was entered as a scholar at the Louth grammar-school. This educational establishment bore a very high reputation in the county. It was originally founded by Edward VI. in 1552, out of the funds of three suppressed guilds, namely, those of "Our Blessed Lady," the "Holy Trinity," and the "Chantry of St. John of Louth." The

LODTH GRAMMAR-SCHOOL, 1 796.

head-master, when Franklin was admitted, was Dr. Orme, to whose memory a monument is erected at the east end of the parish church of Louth. He was head-master from 1796 to 18 14. The boy Franklin must have often regarded with admiration the lofty spire of this magnificent church, with its delicate tracery and exquisite flying buttresses connecting the base of the spire with the pinnacles of the tower on which it stands.

LOUTH GRAMPIAN SCHOOL.

The good people of Louth are deservedly proud of their beautiful church.

The "Lodge," the residence of the head-master, and probably the house in which John Franklin boarded, was built in 17S9, and is very prettily situated within a short distance of the school. Although this scholastic establishment was, as already stated, founded so

SEAT. OF LOUTH GRAMMAR-SCHOOL.

far back as the middle of the sixteenth century, the building in which Franklin was educated was only erected in 17 10. This was pulled down in 1869, when the present school was built.

John Franklin is not the only boy who, receiving the rudiments of education at the old Louth Grammar School, has distinguished himself in after years;

for the institution claims as one of its scholars Alfred Tennyson, the Poet Laureate, who was an inmate of its walls from 1816 to 181 8. Augustus Hobart, more generally known as "Hobart Pacha," who made for himself a world-wide reputation as a dashing and resourceful officer while employed in the Turkish naval service, was also at the school from 1831 until he joined the Royal navy in 1834.

Born and brought up within ten miles of the coast, and almost within sound of that murmuring ocean on which he was eventually destined to play such a prominent part, it is not surprising that a thirst for adventure and enterprise took possession of young Franklin. Those were stirring times in which the boy's early days were passed, rendered all the more fascinating to a youth of imaginative temperament, by the exciting events that were being enacted in Europe.

We can well picture to ourselves the feverish excitement with which the dark-haired, well-knit youth would gaze on the ever-heaving billows, and how his bright eyes would kindle with enthusiasm and pride, as he called to mind the many brave and heroic deeds that were being performed by his countrymen on the sea in various parts of the world ; it is not, therefore, surprising to learn that the wish to become a sailor, and to be permitted to share in the glorious triumphs of his countrymen, should take possession of the lad. Naturally quick and impulsive, the desire of becoming a sailor, was only the forerunner of being one. A story is told of the boy — and it has been generally accepted as true — that having employed a holiday in an excursion to the coast, accompanied by a playmate, he beheld the sea for the first time in his life. So impressed was the lad

1801.] HIS LONGING FOR THE SEA. 9

•with its sublimity, and the prospects it offered as a field for future action, that he then and there determined to be a sailor.

Whether it was really this view of the sea, that he is supposed to have seen for the first time, or whether it was a dislike to scholastic life at the Louth Grammar - School, whatever the cause, it became very evident to his parents that the boy's mind was fully made up, and that a sailor's life with all its fascinations and adventures, was the only one that had any charm for him. Life at school became distasteful ; the pleasures of home had no attraction for him ; he longed to be away on that blue sea whose waves dashed their white foam and spray along the Lincolnshire coast — away assisting in those thrilling events in which our countrymen were taking part, and which aroused the enthusiasm of the loyal and patriotic burghers of Spilsby, as they received the intelligence of some great and glorious naval victory — triumphs that paved the way to that maritime supremacy which England has since held and maintained.

His ardent longing was soon to be gratified, for, hoping to cure him of his cravings for a sea-life, his parents, who had other intentions regarding the boy's future, being desirous he should become a clergyman, withdrew him from school, and sent him on board a small merchant ship, in which he made a trip to Lisbon and back. The effect, however, of this voyage, the result of which might perhaps be traced to the kindness of the captain of the ship, who, it is said, regaled the boy with oranges and grapes and treated him with much consideration, was the reverse of what his friends had anticipated ; for, like other illustrious men, like Cook, Nelson, and Flinders, he returned more than ever charmed with the novelty of a sailor's life, and more than ever bent on adopting the sea as a profession. Life, however, in the mercantile marine was not to his liking ; it was much too tame and quiet ; nothing would satisfy the boy but service in one of His Majesty's ships. In the navy alone, he thought, he would be afforded the opportunity of sharing in those glorious deeds which formed the principal topics of conversation in every town and village throughout the country, and which, associated with the names of such men as Howe, St. Vincent, and Nelson, were adding honour and renown to the English nation. This was the height of his boyish ambition ; it was uppermost in his thoughts by day, and present in his dreams by night.

At length his hopeful anticipations were realised, for his friends, yielding to his earnest entreaties, succeeded in obtaining for him an appointment as a first-class volunteer in H.M.S. Polyphemus, then fitting out at Chatham. He joined her on the 9th of March 1800. The Polyphemus was a fine two-decked ship, carrying sixty-four guns, and was commanded by Captain George Lumsdaine. On the 1st of May, Rear- Admiral of the Blue, Robert Kingsmill, hoisted his flag on board, and on the 1 3th of June she sailed from the Nore, anchoring in Yarmouth Roads the following day, in the immediate vicinity of young Franklin's beloved coast of Lincolnshire. We can well imagine the pleasure with which the Lincolnshire boy entered on his new duties, and how he paced the quarter-deck in all the pomp and pride of a newly-created naval officer.

On the 1st of August, Captain John Lawford was appointed to the Polyphemus, and on the 4th his commission was read on the quarter-deck, and he assumed

1801.] JOINS THE "POLYPHEMUS." 11

command. In this ship John Franklin was destined to share in one of the hardest-fought sea-battles in which the English navy has ever been engaged.

On the 9th of August the squadron to which the Polyphemus was attached, consisting of the Monarch, Romney, Ardent, Isis, Glatton, and Veteran, with one frigate, two sloops, four bombs, and several gun-vessels, in all twenty-six ships, sailed from Yarmouth Eoads, and anchored off Elsinore the 20th of the same month. The visit of the English fleet to this Danish port was intended as a demonstration, but no hostile act was committed. The ships remained at anchor off the picturesque castle of Kronberg for about three weeks, and then returned to England. The remainder of the year was spent by Franklin on board the Polyphemus, either at the Nore or at Yarmouth. In the early part of 1 80 1, Rear- Admiral of the Blue, Thomas Graves, hoisted his flag on board the Polyphemus in succession to Rear-Admiral Kingsmill.

In consequence of the threatening attitude of the Northern Powers, necessitating decisive and immediate action on the part of the British Government, a large squadron, consisting of eighteen line-of -battle ships, including the Polyphemus, with several frigates, corvettes, sloops, brigs, bombs, and fire-ships, assembled at Yarmouth under the command of Sir Hyde Parker, whose flag was flying on board the ninety -eight- gun ship London, with Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson as his second in command in the seventy-four-gun ship Elephant. This large force left Yarmouth Roads on the 12th of March 1 80 1, and passing the batteries at Elsinore with but little effective opposition, although a hot fire was opened on the ships as they sailed by, came to an anchor off the island of Hven on the 30th March, about six miles from Copenhagen.

On the 1st of April a division of the fleet under the immediate command of Lord Nelson, and to which the Polypliemus was attached, got under weigh and moved to an anchorage in seven and a half fathoms, to the southward of a shoal called the Middel Grund, and only about a couple of miles from the main defences of the capital.

The navigation among the numerous shoals off Copenhagen is at all times exceedingly difficult and intricate, and it was rendered all the more so on this occasion, from the fact that the Danes had caused all the buoys and beacons, that usually marked the channels, to be removed.

It is not my object, or intention, to give a detailed account of the great battle that was fought on the ensuing day, and which Nelson himself characterises as " the greatest victory he ever gained " x — the " most hardfought battle and the most complete victory that ever was fought and obtained by the navy of this country ; " 2 suffice it to say that the Polyphemus bore herself bravely, and took a very prominent part in that day's glorious but sanguinary engagement.

Young Franklin, ever since he left the grammar-school at Louth, had been yearning for active service ; he must have experienced it to his heart's content when the old Polyphemus, in charge of brave Captain Lawford, in her appointed station in the line of battle, stood in and engaged the Danish block-ships, Wagner and Provesteen, besides receiving a very fair share of attention from

1 Vide Lord Nelson's letter to the Crown Prince of Denmark.

2 See Lord Nelson's letter to the Lord Mayor of London, 21st June 1802.

180].] BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. 13

the guns of the formidable Tre Kroner battery. Her loss on this occasion was six killed and twenty - four wounded, among the former being one of Franklin's messmates, Mr. James Bell, midshipman. The total loss of the British during this engagement was 255 killed and 688 wounded; but this does not include those who were slightly wounded.1 Rear -Admiral Graves, whose flag was flying on board the Polyphemus, was invested with the Order of the Bath as a reward for his services during the battle.

On the 12th of April the English squadron left Copenhagen, and passing through the tortuous and shallow channel in the Sound, known as the Drogden, entered the Baltic. In order to effect this passage, the heavy-draft vessels had to be considerably lightened, the majority of them had consequently to transfer their guns temporarily into merchant ships, while special

1 The following is an extract from the official log of the Polyphemus for the 2nd of April 1801: —

"At 10.30 A.M. the division weighed per signal, the Edgar leading, the van consisting of Edgar, Elephant, Monarch, Ardent, Glutton, Defiance, Isis, Polyphemus, Bellona, Russell, and Ganges. At 10.45 tue Danes opened fire upon our leading ships, which was returned as they lead in. "We lead in at 11.20. "We anchored by the stern abreast of two of the enemy's ships moored in the channel ; the Isis next ahead of us. The force that engaged us was two ships, one of 74, the other 64 guns. At half-past eleven the action became general, and a continual fire was kept up between us and the enemy's ships and batteries. At noon a very heavy and constant fire was kept up between us and the enemy, and this was continued without any intermission until 45 minutes past 2, when the 74 abreast of us ceased firing ; but not being able to discern she had struck, our fire was kept up 15 minutes longer ; then we could perceive their people making their escape to the shore in boats. We ceased firing, and boarded both ships and took possession of them. Several others also taken possession of by the rest of our ships; one blown up in action, two sunk. Mustered ship's company, and found we had 6 men killed and 24 wounded, and 2 lower-deck guns disabled."

officers were employed in laying down buoys to mark the channel and point out the dangers. This, we may be sure, afforded our young friend valuable experience in the practical work of his profession ; it may reasonably be inferred that it was among the shoals and sandbanks, and rapid irregular currents of the Baltic, that Franklin acquired his first lesson in that art of marine surveying in which he afterwards became so proficient.

On the 13th of April, affairs between Denmark and England having, at any rate for the time, been amicably adjusted, young Franklin was discharged from the Polyphemus to the Ms for passage to England. After a quick run home we find him, on the 27th April 1801, entered on the books of the Investigator as one of six midshipmen appointed to that ship, which had been specially brought forward and commissioned for discovery in the Southern Hemisphere. Her commander was Lieutenant Matthew Flinders, an officer who had already made a name for himself in the scientific world as an energetic explorer and a talented and skilful navigator.

Flinders was appointed as lieutenant in command of the ship on the 26th January 1801, and on the 16th of the following month was promoted to the rank of commander. Being related to Franklin, he had, no doubt, used his influence in getting the boy home and appointed to his ship.

The Investigator (late Xenophon, an armed ship used for the purpose of convoying merchant vessels in the Channel) was an old vessel of about 330 tons burthen, somewhat of the size and description recommended by that eminent and successful navigator Captain Cook, as best adapted for voyages of exploration. She had

1801.] JOINS THE "INVESTIGATOR." 15

been purchased into the Royal Navy some years previously, and having been newly coppered and thoroughly equipped, was considered as the most suitable vessel that could at that time be despatched for the contemplated exploration of Terra Australis and adjacent seas. She carried a complement of eighty-three officers and men.

No better selection for the command of the Investigator could have been made, for Captain Flinders, besides being an officer of great experience, had already achieved much valuable and important geographical work in Australian waters. Matthew Flinders, like his young relative Franklin, was a Lincolnshire man, born and educated at the small town of Donington, where his father was in practice as a surgeon. Living in the immediate vicinity of the sea, and constantly associating with seafaring men, it is not to be wondered at that he was soon imbued with the desire to become a sailor. His earnest entreaties were complied with, and at the early age of fourteen he was bound apprentice in the merchant service; joining a ship shortly afterwards, he sailed on a voyage to the South Seas, where he had the rare treat of beholding and visiting the lovely islands of the Sandwich and Society Groups. This trip to the Pacific only served to whet the appetite of young Flinders for the sea, and to arouse in him a desire for further exploration and adventure. On his return to England from this first cruise, so persistent was he in his importunities to become a sailor, and above all a naval officer, that he succeeded, through the influence of Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, in obtaining, in the early part of 1795, an appointment as midshipman on board the Reliance. This ship was at the time fitting out for the purpose of conveying Captain William Hunter to New South Wales, in succession to Captain