The names of the ships on which he went on a pilgrimage did not bode well, but the sea wolf was not superstitious. He left the port and disappeared. Only in our days have we managed to find out the whole truth.
This man believed in the possibility of technological progress. He did not take into account that nature has its own laws, and it can present many unpleasant surprises to brave travelers. The self-confidence and thirst for discovery killed the brave man.
early years
John Franklin was born in April 1786. The family lived in the provincial town of Spilsby, and its head was engaged in trade. The boy was attracted by long journeys, and commerce was not at all attractive. Poor father was not at all against getting rid of one extra mouth, because when Johnny enlisted in the fleet as a young man, he was glad about the decision of his son.
Since 1799, the teenager worked on a coaster. After 2 years, he managed to participate in a trip to the shores of Australia. In addition to the crew, there were scientists on board who performed hydrographic surveys. During the wars with Napoleon, the boy became a member of the Battle of Trafalgar. After this famous battle in the biography of our hero there was a war with the rebellious colonies of England. The rebels defeated and established the United States of America, and John rose to the rank of lieutenant, was wounded in battle, and in 1814 was forced to go ashore.
Trafalgar. Artist William Lionel Wiley
Researcher
The veteran of the legendary battles liked the command. In 1818 he was entrusted with the ship Trent, which went north. Britain equipped several ships whose mission was to go around Eurasia, preferably visiting the North Pole, and reach the Bering Strait. Of course, this plan was not feasible. Vessels froze into the ice at Svalbard and, waiting for favorable conditions, returned home. The following year, John Franklin worked in a group exploring Canada. The traveler’s courage was appreciated by the assignment of a captain to him in 1821.
Horizons. Artist Marek Ruzhyk
Success accompanied the sailor not only in his career, but also in his personal life. Returning to his homeland, he met two beauties Eleanor and Jane. Both girls had an excellent education and dreamed of traveling. John chose the first and led her down the aisle in 1823. After 2 years, the young husband went to the New World to study the Mackenzie River. There he was overtaken by the tragic news - his wife died of tuberculosis.
Success
Franklin did not remain a widower for long. He remembered Jane. In 1828, the captain remarried. The couple called their daughter Eleanor. The chosen one of the traveler was a great original. She was keenly interested in the affairs of her missus and herself loved to wander. Fortunately, the woman was attracted not by unknown lands, but by the sights of southern Europe.
John and Jen Franklin
The captain respected in the fleet in 1836 was appointed governor of Tasmania. The high post did not bring John Franklin joy - he was already in love with the North. He waited for the day when the bosses remembered his contribution to the study of the continent of North America and entrusted him with a similar task. Our hero was able to return to England in 1843. Then he got acquainted with new ideas of geographers. London was interested in the possibility of organizing shipping around Canada.
Fateful expedition
Britain was ready to allocate considerable funds to search for the northern route. For this enterprise, two of the most modern ships, Erebus and Terror, were recently identified, which have recently proven themselves in the Antarctic campaign. They had sailing equipment and a steam engine, their hulls were double skinned and were reinforced with metal to cope with the ice pressure. Canned goods were loaded into the holds, which would have been enough for 5 years. Entrusted the expedition command to John Franklin.
British Admiralty in London
No one was embarrassed by the fact that the names of the ships were translated as "Gloom" and "Horror." Their technical characteristics were to ensure the brilliant victory of man over the harsh nature of the North. In May 1845, all the inhabitants of London poured onto the marina to conduct brave sailors. In August, several sailors, written off due to illness, returned to their homeland. They were brought to Foggy Albion by whalers, who claimed that travelers were doing fine. There was no more news from John Franklin.
