Stuff You Should Know The Mysterious Disappearance of the Franklin Expedition
6 snips
Aug 17, 2023 Dive into the gripping tale of the Franklin Expedition, where all 129 crew members vanished in the Arctic's icy grip. Discover Lady Jane Franklin's passionate push for the mission amidst societal challenges and the ill-fated journey's harrowing realities. The narrative unfolds with the crew trapped in ice, facing diminishing supplies, and the eventual fateful decisions made for survival. Explore controversial findings about cannibalism and the importance of Inuit knowledge in unraveling this historical mystery, revealing the true cost of exploration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Northwest Passage Challenges
- The Northwest Passage, a sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was difficult to navigate due to ice.
- Despite its strategic importance, it wasn't heavily used, even after being charted.
Franklin's Notorious Expedition
- John Franklin led an expedition near the Coppermine River, where half his men died.
- He gained notoriety for surviving harsh conditions, famously eating his boots, writing a bestselling book, and getting knighted.
Inuit Assistance in Franklin's Early Expeditions
- John Franklin's previous Arctic expeditions faced significant challenges, with one being a near-catastrophe.
- Inuit peoples aided Franklin and his crew in both expeditions, ensuring their survival.