MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Dundalk devotes exhibition to Arctic Fox
RTE's Nationwide
Exhibition on Dundalk polar explorer
The Franklin Searches
The Franklin Searches II: 1850-1851
Public interest in Franklin’s fate ensured that pressure remained on the Government to fund and support a new search and rescue mission. In 1850, a squadron of ships under the command of Horatio T. Austen prepared to journey northwards. Now promoted to First Lieutenant, McClintock served on the Assistance and was responsible for providing foodstuffs and the preparation of all materials for sledging parties.
Having learnt the lessons from his first Arctic expedition, he ensured that the crew were issued with extra winter clothing, whilst fresh bread was baked and beer brewed. In addition to this, he encouraged crewmembers to study mathematics and navigation, whilst also producing a regular newsletter on board. Entertainment evenings were also organised in efforts to prevent depression from setting in when holed up in ice.
With respect to sledging parties, he ensured that each man involved was given a generous daily allowance of rations including pemmican (a mixture of dried meat, berries and rendered fat), biscuits, tobacco and rum. He also introduced the use of kites and sails to enhance the speed at which sledges could run. Another significant innovation here was the introduction of supply depot 30 miles from the base. By setting up such depots, supplies could be easily topped up thus enabling parties to stay out longer and increase their search range.
Unfortunately, despite the introduction of such innovations and some 7,025 statute miles being searched no evidence was uncovered as to what had befallen the Franklin expedition.
This experience was an altogether more pleasant one than had been the case on his first visit to the Arctic, noting in his memoirs that:
I was appointed as First Lieutenant to the Assistance Captain Erasmus Ommanney, for more Arctic Service. There was a remarkable difference between this ship and the Enterprise. The Assistance was perfectly well ventilated, dry and comfortable. This was due to Sir Horatio Austen … This was the liveliest expedition bals masquees [masked balls], plays, Penny Readings, School for the Men in the evening etc.