Stray Leaves from an Arctic Journal Informative Summary

Overview:

This journal entry recounts Lieutenant Sherard Osborn’s experiences during the 1850-51 British Arctic expedition searching for Sir John Franklin’s lost squadron. The expedition, composed of two sailing ships and two steam vessels, set out from England and faced numerous challenges including harsh weather, dense fogs, and ever-changing ice conditions. The narrative details the early months of the expedition, from their initial departure through the Atlantic to their final wintering at Griffith’s Island in Barrow’s Strait.

The highlight of the voyage was the discovery of Franklin’s first winter quarters on Beechey Island. The expedition uncovered several artifacts and graves that confirmed the ships had reached the area and remained there during the winter of 1845-46. The journal also provides detailed insights into the daily lives of the expedition members, their struggles with the Arctic environment, their search methods, and the challenges of wintering in such a harsh climate.

Key Findings:

The expedition’s use of steam-powered vessels proved highly effective in navigating the treacherous Arctic ice.
The first winter quarters of Sir John Franklin’s expedition were discovered on Beechey Island, confirming that the ships had not been lost at sea.
The presence of several artifacts and graves on Beechey Island revealed details about the crew’s activities and the hardships they faced during their first winter.
The expedition’s exploration of Wellington Channel revealed open water to the northwest, hinting at the possibility of a navigable route.
The discovery of numerous Esquimaux traces throughout the Arctic region provided insights into the migration patterns and history of this indigenous people.

Learning:

Navigating Arctic Ice: The journal demonstrates the challenges of navigating the constantly shifting Arctic ice. Steam-powered vessels provided a significant advantage, allowing for more maneuverability and speed compared to sailing ships. Osborn details various techniques like towing, warping, and breaking through ice using steam and gunpowder.
Wintering in the Arctic: The narrative provides a detailed account of the harsh realities of surviving an Arctic winter. Osborn describes the darkness, the intense cold, the constant snow, and the need for ingenuity and creativity to find ways to stay busy and entertained.
The Role of Navigation and Exploration: The expedition’s efforts highlight the importance of careful observation, meticulous record keeping, and the use of scientific tools in exploration. Osborn’s keen eye for detail, his observations of the landscape and natural phenomena, and his ability to adapt his methods reflect the qualities of a skilled Arctic explorer.
The Esquimaux Culture: Osborn provides valuable insights into the lives, habits, and culture of the Esquimaux people. He describes their hunting methods, their unique clothing, their winter dwellings, and their resilience in surviving in harsh conditions.
The Search for Franklin: The journal’s narrative details the expedition’s determination and perseverance in their search for Franklin’s lost expedition. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts, the shared struggles, and the unwavering hope of finding survivors.

Historical Context:

The 1850-51 expedition was part of a larger international effort to find Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition, which had disappeared while searching for the Northwest Passage in 1845. The search for Franklin was a pivotal event in the history of Arctic exploration, stimulating scientific inquiry, technological innovation, and a renewed sense of international cooperation. The expedition’s discovery of the first winter quarters on Beechey Island provided crucial evidence about Franklin’s fate and re-ignited the quest to understand what happened to the lost expedition.

Facts:

Steam-powered vessels were highly effective in navigating Arctic ice: Their sharp bows and propeller allowed them to cut through ice with greater ease and speed than traditional sailing ships.
The “Resolute” was a notoriously slow and difficult ship to maneuver in the ice: Its heavy build and blunt bow made it difficult to break through ice and often slowed down the expedition.
Icebergs are formed by glaciers: They are large masses of ice that break off from glaciers, which are rivers of ice that flow slowly downhill.
The “Pioneer” and “Intrepid” were originally cattle transport ships: They were converted to steam vessels and strengthened for Arctic exploration.
The “North Star” wintered in Wolstenholme Sound in 1849: This was confirmed by local Esquimaux, who reported seeing the ship and its crew.
The Esquimaux of Greenland are a peaceful people with strong family ties: They are generally respectful of the marriage bond and show great love for their children.
The Esquimaux are skilled craftspeople: They make beautiful and functional canoes, clothing, and other tools using materials available to them in the Arctic environment.
The Esquimaux of Greenland are more advanced than their North American counterparts: The influence of missionaries has helped to foster a greater respect for the marriage bond and family ties.
The Whale-Fish Islands are a harsh and desolate environment: The islands are made of granite and gneiss and are constantly eroded by the action of water and frost.
The Devil’s Thumb is a landmark at the entrance of Melville Bay: This rocky formation marks the southern boundary of the bay, which is known for its treacherous ice conditions.
The Duck Islands are a haven for wildfowl: These islands provide nesting grounds for numerous birds, especially ducks.
The Esquimaux of Greenland eat seal and narwhal meat: They also eat fish, birds’ eggs, and bread when available.
The Esquimaux build their winter dwellings underground: This helps to protect them from the extreme cold and wind.
The narwhal, or unicorn fish, has a long, spiral tusk: Its purpose is debated, but it is likely used for rooting up food from the seafloor.
The Greenlanders use seal-skin for clothing: It is incredibly lightweight, waterproof, and windproof.
The “Pioneer” was damaged by a severe nip in the ice: The vessel was squeezed and lifted, resulting in several broken timbers and a deep dent in the hull.
The crew used gunpowder to break up ice: The explosion of gunpowder would create cracks in the ice, making it easier to break through with ice saws and chisels.
The Esquimaux of Cape York misled the expedition: Adam Beck, a native of Cape York, falsely claimed that a ship had been wrecked and the crew had been murdered.
The American expedition under Lieutenant De Haven was equipped by Henry Grinnell: A generous merchant, Grinnell funded the expedition and placed it under the control of the U.S. government.
The “North Star” returned to England in 1850: It had failed to cross Baffin’s Bay in 1849, but succeeded in 1850 and proceeded to Lancaster Sound.

Statistics:

The “Pioneer” and “Intrepid” carried a combined dead weight of 260 tons of coal: This was sufficient to tow the ships for over 3,000 miles.
The “Resolute” carried a crew of 60 souls: This included officers, seamen, and marines.
The “Pioneer” carried a crew of 30 souls: This included five officers, two engineers, and the rest seamen.
The “Resolute” and “Assistance” carried a total of 120 officers and men: This was a large crew for sailing ships of their size.
The “Pioneer” could steam at a speed of five miles per hour when alone: This was significantly faster than the sailing ships.
The “Pioneer” towed the “Resolute” for 3000 miles: This was a remarkable feat of engineering and endurance.
The “Intrepid” and “Pioneer” consumed seven tons of coal per day: This shows the importance of having a steady supply of fuel for the steam vessels.
The Arctic squadron consisted of eight ships: This included two sailing ships, two steam vessels, and four brigs.
The total number of men involved in the search for Franklin was over 500: This included both British and American sailors.
The whaling fleet was diminished by 28 ships in one disastrous year: This highlights the inherent dangers of the Arctic whale fishery.
The ice-saws used to cut docks in the ice were ten feet long: This allowed for quick and efficient work.
The land-floe in Melville Bay was 30 miles wide: This posed a significant obstacle to the expedition.
One hundred and seventy duck eggs were collected from one island: This shows the abundance of animal life in these northern regions.
A bear was killed with a waistcoat button and a knife blade: This shows the ingenuity of the crew in making do with limited resources.
The “Pioneer” was beset in Melville Bay for 40 days: The expedition had to wait for a change in the ice conditions to continue their journey.
The “Pioneer” was lifted and pushed over the floe during a severe nip: This shows the power and unpredictability of the Arctic ice.
The Americans, under Lieutenant De Haven, offered to share their provisions with the British: This demonstrates the camaraderie and generosity between the two nations.
The Americans signed a bond not to claim the £20,000 reward for finding Franklin: This shows their selfless dedication to the cause.
The “North Star” wintered in Wolstenholme Sound in 1850: This was a significant discovery made by the “Assistance” and “Intrepid.”
The “Pioneer” traveled 500 miles in 58 days during the spring journey: This shows the endurance of the crew and the effectiveness of their sledges.

Terms:

Floe: A large, flat sheet of floating ice.
Pack: A dense mass of ice formed by the pressure of floes together.
Land-floe: A floe that is attached to the land.
Nip: A narrow space between two pieces of ice where pressure is exerted.
Sastrugi: Parallel ridges of snow formed by wind erosion.
Bay-ice: A thin sheet of ice that forms in sheltered bays.
Ice-blink: A white glare on the horizon caused by the reflection of light off ice.
Cairn: A pile of stones used as a landmark or a place to mark a grave.
Caché: A hidden store of food or supplies.
Pemmican: A dried meat and fat mixture used as a food source for Arctic travelers.

Examples:

The “Pioneer” was beset for forty days in Melville Bay: This highlights the challenges of navigating the pack ice.
The crew used gunpowder to break up the ice: This demonstrates their use of innovative methods to clear a path.
Adam Beck, a native of Cape York, misled the expedition with a false story about a shipwreck and murder: This shows the importance of verifying information from locals and the potential for misinformation.
The crew built a snow house during the winter to provide shelter: This illustrates their ingenuity and resourcefulness in adapting to a harsh environment.
The Esquimaux of Greenland were remarkably skilled craftspeople: They made beautiful canoes, clothing, and tools using local materials, demonstrating their ingenuity.
The “Pioneer” was lifted and pushed over the floe during a severe nip: This illustrates the power and unpredictability of the Arctic ice.
The “Pioneer” was damaged by a severe nip in the ice: This shows the risks of navigating through the pack.
The crew used a boat’s stove to melt ice for water: This highlights the necessity of adapting to the lack of readily available water sources.
The crew played games, danced, and organized events to combat the monotony of winter: This shows their ability to find joy and entertainment in harsh conditions.
The crew used carrier pigeons, kites, and rockets to communicate with each other and try to contact Franklin: This illustrates their use of various methods for signalizing and communication.

Conclusion:

Lieutenant Sherard Osborn’s “Stray Leaves from an Arctic Journal” offers a compelling and insightful account of the 1850-51 British expedition searching for Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition. The narrative highlights the expedition’s trials and triumphs, detailing their struggles with the harsh Arctic environment, their innovative use of steam technology to navigate the ice, and their eventual discovery of Franklin’s first winter quarters on Beechey Island. Osborn’s journal also sheds light on the lives of the crew, their resilience, and their shared determination to find Franklin and his men. Despite facing numerous obstacles and setbacks, the expedition’s explorations revealed valuable insights about the Arctic landscape, the culture of the Esquimaux, and the feasibility of using steam-powered vessels for Arctic exploration. The journal’s conclusion reinforces the importance of continuing the search for Franklin and emphasizes the need for international cooperation and scientific inquiry to unravel the mysteries of the Arctic. The story of the 1850-51 expedition, as captured by Osborn’s vivid and detailed account, stands as a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable will to explore, to persevere, and to ultimately discover.

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