For anyone interested in nature’s chal...lenges, this author Michael, has revealed the facts of so many early ships trying to access the Pacific from the Atlantic Ocean. The Erebus and Terror sailing ships were guided by their captains in the horrendous frozen conditions . Frostbitten fingers must have been excruciating when resetting the sails constantly to avoid the crushing icebergs. Their only comfort was the 65% half litre a day ‘tot of spirits ‘ to dull the senses! The tragedy is that it remains a mystery as to the extent of their success for only a few could ‘tell the tale in writings left behind.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Well writ...ten captivating account of this remarkable vessel. Palin brings the characters to life and also interjects his own experiences of travel in the polar regions. The story of the ship's record breaking Antarctic explorations then the ill-fated Arctic search for the North West Passage is not well known until now, but hopefully this book will change that.
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Apparently not the first book to have been written about Erebus an...d MP credits some of them in his account. However, he has done more than just crib from others, having done his own extensive research and even visited some of the remote places that make up the story. It's clear that MP has a genuine interest in the subject, which comes through in his telling of the early history and subsequent tragedy. His quiet wit is never far away either, with some asides that make you smile, but he never trivialises the hardships that the crews faced on voyages that seem inconceivable without the modern conveniences of today's vessels. An engrossing read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I've followed the Franklin expedition ever since the bodies we...re discovered in the 80's. This book takes a look at the details and background behind the race to find the Northwest passage but also looks at the history of the ship and some of the details of day to day living aboard ship. Well worth owning if you're a fan of exploration .
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great subject, excellent writer
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New