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The story recounts the construction and sea voyages undertaken by the ship named Erebus.

Initially constructed as a vessel of war, the Erebus was later modified to navigate the frigid Arctic waters.

The Erebus, a bomb vessel built at the Pembroke Dockyard in Wales in 1826 and weighing 372 tons, was designed to carry out coastal bombardment due to its ability to carry large mortars.

The writers chronicle the commencement of Erebus on the 7th of June, 1826, and provide insights into its assembly at Pembroke Dockyard, designed from the outset to function as a bomb vessel for shoreline bombardment. The ships, built to be smaller than typical naval crafts, had the capability to launch projectiles past coastal defenses, causing considerable damage without engaging in direct combat. Named after Erebus, a figure associated with darkness and the underworld in Greek mythology, the ship embodied the lofty ambition. The ship was sturdily built with iron reinforcements designed to withstand the intense recoil produced by its two large mortars.

The Erebus, equipped with ten guns and additional mortars, was notably smaller than a typical warship, spanning 104 feet in length and possessed a total weight of 372 tons when [restricted term]. In the period following the Napoleonic Wars, the future of the Erebus was unclear, partly because of its small size and its unique construction for the purpose of carrying explosives. Following the conflict, the British naval forces encountered diminished funding and a transition to a peacetime footing, leading to a surplus of ships and leaving the newly commissioned Erebus without a clear role in the ensuing period.

Before embarking on James Clark Ross's late 1830s journey to the Antarctic, significant modifications were made to the Erebus, including fortifying its build, reducing its weaponry, and removing decorative elements to increase its resilience to ice conditions.

Palin emphasizes the transformation of the Erebus from a warship to a craft committed to polar exploration. Under Mr. Rice's oversight at Chatham Dockyard, the transformation began in 1839 when she was selected for the Antarctic expedition commanded by James Clark Ross. The vessel was extensively modified to prepare it for the hazardous icy conditions encountered further toward the South Pole.

The initial phase included reinforcing the ship's structural support. The vessel's hull was fortified with oak planks, measuring six inches in thickness and widening to eight inches towards the upper edge. The vessel's deck received additional fortification through the installation of planks running lengthwise, each with a thickness of three inches, and was bolstered further by the placement of supplementary boards in a transverse orientation. The ship's structure was strengthened by adding extra layers of English and Canadian elm. To protect her from the icy perils, a robust layer of copper was added, extending from the waterline to the keel, fortifying her front section. Additionally, the Erebus's weaponry was reduced to just two cannons instead of twelve, making room for more small boats and scientific exploration gear. The vessel was modified to remove ornamental features, such as the protrusions at the front and along the sides, to improve its functionality and ice navigation capabilities. Ross's journal entries exhibit a detailed and unwavering commitment to equipping the Erebus for the challenging voyage ahead.

Before its doomed voyage as part of the Franklin Expedition, the Erebus was known for participating in a diverse array of missions and voyages.

After her initial journey, the Erebus was operational for nearly a decade in the Mediterranean, during which time the...

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Erebus Summary A thirst for novel explorations and the pursuit of scientific knowledge motivated the leadership of Franklin.

The expedition's objective was to chart a course through the enigmatic Northwest Passage and conduct exploration within the polar Arctic zone.

In the early 19th century, the British government and scientific communities placed great importance on mapping the Arctic region and discovering a navigable waterway to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Michael Palin situates Franklin's expedition within the broader context of Britain's profound engagement with scientific discovery and exploration that marked a significant portion of the nineteenth century. Driven by the desire for scientific knowledge, geographical exploration, and potential financial gains, the British government's various administrations remained steadfast in their quest to discover a navigable route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the treacherous Arctic waters, an endeavor ardently advocated by Sir John Barrow, a fervent proponent of Arctic voyages, in his role as the Second Secretary of the Admiralty.

The Admiralty regarded the successful charting of the Northwest Passage as an accomplishment that would elevate Britain's naval and academic reputation.

The writers...

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Erebus Summary The development, progression, and eventual outcome of the doomed Franklin expedition.

The initial preparations and foundational work were orchestrated by Franklin.

Sir John Franklin, an experienced Arctic explorer, commanded the expedition, which was equipped with the era's most sophisticated technology and abundant provisions for an extended journey.

The author highlights the controversial decision to appoint Sir John Franklin, a seasoned Arctic explorer with two previous expeditions under his belt, as the commander of the journey. Concerns were raised about his age and recent lack of leadership roles, as well as how his wife's ambitions might have influenced his choice. Palin elaborates on the thorough outfitting of the vessels Erebus and Terror, highlighting the integration of steam power and the meticulous gathering of provisions required to sustain a crew of 129 men for the anticipated length of the years-long journey.

The expedition's officers were chosen with great care, combining experienced Arctic explorers with promising young naval officers.

He underscores the careful selection procedure for the expedition's commander, pointing out the tension between those favoring experienced proficiency and those supporting the enthusiasm and...

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Erebus Summary The expedition's lasting impact on human history and its continual significance.

The crew members aboard the Erebus and Terror encountered constant challenges and persevered through many hardships.

The crew of the expedition endured extreme cold, constant dangers to their survival and health, as well as prolonged isolation and limited mobility.

The writer masterfully portrays what it was like to be part of a 19th-century journey to the poles. In sharp opposition to the lofty goals held by the sponsors and commanders of the journey, he vividly portrays the grim reality of everyday life, highlighting the monotonous daily tasks on the vessel, the dangers and obstacles encountered while navigating through thick ice, surviving the intense chill and endless darkness of the polar winters, and coping with the monotony of being trapped for long durations in tight spaces with limited personal room and minimal opportunities for amusement.

The ongoing struggle to maintain order, well-being, and team spirit often manifested in instances of desertion, disciplinary measures, and personal disputes.

The narrative explores how the crew's resilience was tested by the harsh conditions, both psychologically and physically, and juxtaposes Captain Hayes' rigid...

Erebus Summary The examination and analysis of the Erebus are framed within a broader scope of historical and academic significance.

The prolonged quest to locate the remnants of the Erebus and Terror.

Throughout the years, numerous explorers and groups have pieced together evidence to solve the enigma of what ultimately befell the Franklin expedition, thereby completing the story of the ships and their crews.

Palin emphasizes the relentless pursuit to understand the ultimate outcome of the Erebus and Terror, spotlighting the continuous attempts to unravel their final destiny. Explorers and researchers, resolute in their quest to unravel the mystery, persisted in their inquiries by gathering insights from the narratives of the Inuit, conducting thorough analyses of maps and documents, and following the last confirmed paths, even after the cessation of the formal naval search efforts. In 1984, the discovery of remnants on Beechey Island shed new light on the possible causes of the crew members' demise.

The discovery of the Erebus in 2014 and the...

Erebus

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While the Erebus was modified for ice resilience, some historians argue that the technology and understanding of Arctic conditions at the time were insufficient, potentially contributing to the expedition's failure.
  • The narrative suggests a smooth transition from warship to exploration vessel for the Erebus, but some may argue that the ship's original design as a bomb vessel may not have been ideal for polar exploration, despite modifications.
  • The emphasis on Erebus's navigational excellence might be contested by pointing out that the ship ultimately became trapped in ice and was abandoned, indicating limitations in its design or the crew's navigational decisions.
  • The claim that the expedition aimed to conduct scientific research could be criticized for being...

Actionables

  • You can explore historical shipbuilding techniques by constructing a detailed scale model of a ship similar to the Erebus. Start with a beginner's model kit and focus on understanding the purpose behind each design element, such as iron reinforcements or the shape of the hull, which can give you a tactile sense of the engineering challenges and solutions of that...

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