The Expedition Begins: Departure and Early Progress

In May 1845, the expedition departed England with high hopes. Initial reports indicated progress, with the ships last seen entering Baffin Bay near Greenland in July 1845. However, after that, all contact ceased.

 The Arctic Disasters: What Went Wrong?

The fate of the expedition was pieced together from Inuit oral histories, recovered artifacts, and later search expeditions.

1. Entrapment in Ice

By late 1846 or early 1847, both ships became trapped in thick sea ice near King William Island in present-day Nunavut, Canada.

• The ships were immobilized and unable to sail.
  
  


• The crew was forced to overwinter in freezing, isolated conditions.
  
  


• Subsequent attempts to free the ships failed.
  
  

2. Harsh Arctic Conditions

The Arctic environment was brutal:

• Extreme cold, darkness during winter months.
  
  


• Limited food sources.
  
  


• Threats from frostbite and hypothermia. shutdown123