Frenchman in search of Franklin
Subtitle: De Bray's Arctic journal, 1852-1854
By: Emile Frederic de Bray ; translated and edited by William Barr.
Contributors: Barr, William.
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Toronto
Language: eng
Subjects: Bray, Emile Frédéric de, -- 1829-1879 -- Journeys -- Arctic regions.; Franklin, John, -- Sir, -- 1786-1847.; Resolute (Ship).; Arctic regions -- Discovery and exploration -- British.; Northwest Passage -- Discovery and exploration -- British.; Great Britain -- Discovery and exploration.
Description: In April 1852 Emile Frederic de Bray sailed down the Thames on board Resolute. The ship was bound for the icy waters north of Canada as part of Sir Edward Belcher's Arctic Squadron searching for Sir John Franklin and his men, missing since the summer of 1845. De Bray's diaries of his years with Resolute have not been published before, in any language, and only one other account of this particular Franklin search expedition exists. Enseigne-de-vaisseau de Bray, seconded at his own request from the French navy, was something of a rarity among those who made up the search parties: he was not British. (One of his shipmates hoped for the best: 'The Frenchman does not seem an Englishman,' he observed, 'but I suppose he will improve on acquaintance.') As a result de Bray notices and comments on details and incidents his fellow officers would have considered unremarkable. Cape de Bray on the northwest coast of Melville Island commemorates the efforts of this intrepid French officer, who gained the respect of his fellows, was made a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur by Napoleon III, and was awarded the Arctic Medal by Queen Victoria.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.