tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.comments2024-03-18T18:05:25.821-07:00VISIONS OF THE NORTHRussell Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comBlogger1663125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-78374025609358092042023-09-13T09:22:02.523-07:002023-09-13T09:22:02.523-07:00Hi Brandon - I volunteer as a transciber of grave ...Hi Brandon - I volunteer as a transciber of grave stones at Nunhead cemetery in south London. Today I came upon a head stone which intrigued me - Sacred to the memory of John Gregory, chief engineer of H.M.S. Erebus, Capt. Sir John Franklin, which sailed on the fatal expedition to the North Pole in May 1845.<br />Also of William Gregory, son of the above, who departed this life on 30th June 1854 aged 22 years. It also mentions two children, Louisa and Alica Hays who died in infancy and Alfred Hays who was perhaps older on his death. I wondered if you might be able to shed any light on why this memorial might be in Nunhead and if you know anything about his son William. A bit random I know but worth a try!<br />Many thanksSallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680510938203216769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-51230923601470897862023-09-03T13:10:01.714-07:002023-09-03T13:10:01.714-07:00Rarely has a question been so belatedly answered: ...Rarely has a question been so belatedly answered: it was HMS Surprise, same ship as used in the most recent version of "Master and Commander."Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-79067524825935468012023-08-26T03:48:36.628-07:002023-08-26T03:48:36.628-07:00Thanks, Russell - so glad you managed to post this...Thanks, Russell - so glad you managed to post this from afar. As you say, the set now at Sotheby's is so much more 'in the flesh' - although, like you, I found the gilding slightly excessive! I hope there will be sufficient time to close remaining research loops while they're still able to be viewed.Anne Strathiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04470776257874150694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-85423047646184989742023-08-13T10:59:59.476-07:002023-08-13T10:59:59.476-07:00Dear Angela, I'm delighted to hear from a desc...Dear Angela, I'm delighted to hear from a descendant of Solomon Tozer! I would very much like to learn more of your family history -- you can get my contact information via my <a href="https://w3.ric.edu/faculty/rpotter/" rel="nofollow">academic homepage</a> and I'd be very pleased to hear from you.Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-80172387900100979152023-08-12T04:24:10.499-07:002023-08-12T04:24:10.499-07:00I am descended from Solomon Tozer, but only quite ...I am descended from Solomon Tozer, but only quite recently was amazed to learn his story from a relative on Ancestry. As they tell it, the explorers had sufficient supplies of food, but unfortunately it was in lead cans, and the theory is they went a bit mad and in starvation resorted to cannibalism! His sister, Catherine Tozer Coobes has an equally extraordinary story; she dressed as a man for 50 odd years purportedly to flee an abusive husband (though other reports say they remained under the same roof, and she took a wife) In old age she was revealed as a woman, when she wished to enter a poor house (but didn't wish to be housed with men)Angela Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08577925594634976900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-88848087664860825272023-07-08T19:28:28.546-07:002023-07-08T19:28:28.546-07:00So excited to see this! I have found the John Irvi...So excited to see this! I have found the John Irving letters so enlightening and I'm looking forward to reading this collection. Thank you for your work on this!Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877641317452365454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-12060333736850364852023-05-26T10:57:45.577-07:002023-05-26T10:57:45.577-07:00Fascinating, thank you, Russell. I'm wondering...Fascinating, thank you, Russell. I'm wondering whether any (successful) photographs taken might be the first recorded ones in either polar region, as there's no record of images taken on James Ross's Antarctic voyage (if you accept that Hershel's request to Daguerre to provide one was successful) and the Challenger expedition photographs (first recorded ones of icebergs) post-date the deaths of Franklin expedition members. May be wrong, but ... Anne Strathiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04470776257874150694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-47362200077800172222023-04-24T07:09:33.754-07:002023-04-24T07:09:33.754-07:00Any news from the lab analyzing the material ?Any news from the lab analyzing the material ?Paulohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02841876901355158416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-28642771604373890362023-01-29T15:57:01.022-08:002023-01-29T15:57:01.022-08:00This is exciting news to say the least. Even the ...This is exciting news to say the least. Even the most mundane of accounting/record keeping lists could prove quite valuable, especially if there are readable dates. A couple of questions if you have time:<br />1. Do you have any idea what kind of (reasonable) time frame it would require before we know if anything legible survives? I assume the conservation process will take several months at a minimum and then there might be time for X-ray or other attempts to read the pages if not immediately legible. <br />2. If it is readable, any sense of the process to publication for a wider audience?<br />3. Do you know how the planned future research/excavation of the wreck will continue?<br />One thing I'm curious about, since the debris field is made up of the remains of Franklin's cabin, why didn't the work begin there as opposed to inside the wreck, and since it is working inside, is there a pattern they are following?<br />I hope this isn't too much, as ever enjoy the blog and am looking forward to reading the new book.<br />Best wishes,<br />EricEric W. Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00735754294095882223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-14956622365622381042023-01-07T20:28:58.569-08:002023-01-07T20:28:58.569-08:00I've just bought the book after watching the T...I've just bought the book after watching the TV series. I can't wait to read and in a way, listen to the words of the real men who were on this fateful expedition. Thanks so much for your incredible work to create this. A handwritten letter from someone in the past is like a time machine, creating feelings of being there with them as they speak.Shelley Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712627888693449692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-89698000934107565692022-12-20T06:33:08.214-08:002022-12-20T06:33:08.214-08:00Thank you for your answer. I hope 2023 will be a g...Thank you for your answer. I hope 2023 will be a good year with lots of discoveries! Pinselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10856352135259316503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-48645967261060414772022-12-19T17:07:15.260-08:002022-12-19T17:07:15.260-08:00Any mundane, dated, entry will be very useful. But...Any mundane, dated, entry will be very useful. But we may dream. <br /><br />How about: "5 Nov. 1850. First visited by Inuit today, they seemed quite fearful of the men's Guy Fawkes celebrations. Captain Little offered them salt pork but they refused it, as with bread and all food unfamiliar to them. He pointed out our gunpowder stored ashore, and warned them against visiting it. All seemed pleased with trifles exchanged."Dave Woodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16848609124558741064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-85115892402393183202022-12-19T15:12:38.142-08:002022-12-19T15:12:38.142-08:00Yes, both paper and writing are likely to survive ...Yes, both paper and writing are likely to survive -- in part because the paper was mostly cotton rag and the ink in use then was fairly insoluble by water. There are instances of all kinds of both printed and written matter that have survived many years under the sea, like this <a href="https://visionsnorth.blogspot.com/2014/09/recovering-papers-from-franklin-wreck.html" rel="nofollow">maths book</a> from RMS "Titanic"!Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-47384064318910104082022-12-19T12:44:05.302-08:002022-12-19T12:44:05.302-08:00Quite exiting news, so paper can survive in such e...Quite exiting news, so paper can survive in such environments but would writing survive too? Are there any such cases known? Pinselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10856352135259316503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-15143428192432550372022-04-21T05:51:47.290-07:002022-04-21T05:51:47.290-07:00Belatedly: Yes, Larry has since published a wonder...Belatedly: Yes, Larry has since published a <a href="https://arcticbookreview.blogspot.com/2020/10/what-i-remember-what-i-know.html" rel="nofollow">wonderful memoir</a> of his life.Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-65396968250744326332022-02-27T06:39:51.564-08:002022-02-27T06:39:51.564-08:00Hi Peter, yes, there will be more to come! -- once...Hi Peter, yes, there will be more to come! -- once a month or so leading up to the July publication date. Working on the next one now!Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-28769952721109287252022-02-26T10:23:09.523-08:002022-02-26T10:23:09.523-08:00I cannot wait for this!! Any more teasers you can ...I cannot wait for this!! Any more teasers you can give us?Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01552063314227366433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-62628177199893135342021-09-27T10:06:00.612-07:002021-09-27T10:06:00.612-07:00A lot of ironies in this fabulous story.
A hello ...A lot of ironies in this fabulous story.<br /><br />A hello to you Dr. Potter , from me - Solomon Grundy Solomon Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10969987988725655182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-78370005946962978802021-06-28T14:14:22.007-07:002021-06-28T14:14:22.007-07:00Hi Brandon, many thanks for your comments and your...Hi Brandon, many thanks for your comments and your kind words. Shackleton and Franklin buffs have a lot in common, and several times I've been to the annual Shackleton Autumn School where they've welcomed me and others whose work is in the Arctic rather than the Antarctic. And of course, as the song goes, Shackleton "never lost a man," while Franklin lost all his men). I'm sorry for the delay in approving your comment; Blogger's notification system has changed lately, and I'd stopped receiving alerts!Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-21248460708898586832021-06-26T05:54:05.468-07:002021-06-26T05:54:05.468-07:00Hi Mr. Potter,
I just wanted to say thank you for ...Hi Mr. Potter,<br />I just wanted to say thank you for all you do. I know this particular of your blog posts is not necessarily the most relevant in which to post my message, but all the same, I figured it would be okay.<br /><br />As a kid in the 80's, I was enamored of the Shackleton expedition. Long before I was old enough to understand everything involved, I read Endurance, and it has led me to a lifelong love of "real life adventures."<br /><br />I've always loved the mystery surrounding the Franklin expedition. Something about it enthralls me. Really, any polar mysteries does the trick for me - my favorite horror (The Thing) and favorite RPG games almost all involve the arctic regions.'<br /><br />I've only recently decided I want to pursue a more scholarly discussion and affair with Franklin, and have found your site and been reading past posts of yours to catch up on the latest information (I read Woodman's book a a few years ago, but as it was before the finding of Erebus & Terror, I'm very behind on some things), and this site has been a blessing.<br /><br />Anyway, no real point to this other than to again say thank you, and you've found yourself a lifelong reader (your book is currently on my stand to read next).<br /><br />Cheers!<br />Brandon<br /><br />(And I apologize if this ends up coming through twice now, my browser didn't like the blogger verification process and I had to re-do this in a second browser)brandon karlishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03965986442476126755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-35526183476095488532021-06-22T17:16:03.645-07:002021-06-22T17:16:03.645-07:00That's something I've been looking into. T...That's something I've been looking into. There were a number of "mechanics institutes" which may have provided some training, but it seems the main avenue of obtaining the skills was an apprenticeship.Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-61780138285688321672021-06-15T12:09:22.496-07:002021-06-15T12:09:22.496-07:00I always wondered what in the Arctic soils causes ...I always wondered what in the Arctic soils causes different deterioration of human remains. The Beechey island bodies were well preserved. That of Charles Francis Hall was almost skeletonized.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07554688953537865175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-49466036386522692202021-06-11T16:15:09.118-07:002021-06-11T16:15:09.118-07:00And what was required to be an Engineer in those d...And what was required to be an Engineer in those days ? Training for how long ?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07554688953537865175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-19009730951335913612021-06-08T20:21:05.113-07:002021-06-08T20:21:05.113-07:00I spent some time with Garth in Cyprus in the 1980...I spent some time with Garth in Cyprus in the 1980's. Mutual friends from that era are indebted to him. Garth started a Facebook page and watched over our group. He also documented the material relics scraps of paper, maps and most importantly relationships. Garth and I had a number of phone calls and messages and I am so glad to see his legacy published. Thank you for your efforts.Alison Sizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04746366474621995102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-9448334980944920712021-05-29T13:31:44.128-07:002021-05-29T13:31:44.128-07:00Thank you for these touching bits of biography to ...Thank you for these touching bits of biography to bring a forgot life to our attention.Eric W. Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00735754294095882223noreply@blogger.com