Northwest Passage Collection

1775 Captain James Cook explorer
James Cook, Captain of HMS Barc Endeavour (b. 7th November 1728 - d. 14th February 1779). Steel engraving by E. Scriven 1833 with later hand colouring, after the painting by N

Fridtjof Nansens 1893 ship the Fram frozen into ice

Schwatkas discovery of Franklin expedition grave, 1880
Grave of Franklin Expedition member Lt. John Irving found by Schwatkas American search party in Greenland, 1880. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

EXPL2A-00284
Early map of Hudsons Strait and Hudsons Bay, 1662, in Arctic Canada. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction

Martin Frobisher, English explorer
Martin Frobisher (c.1535-1594), English navigator and explorer. Frobisher became a cabin boy in 1544 and rose to the rank of captain by 1565

Martin Frobisher, English Arctic explorer, 1500s
NWI4923553 Martin Frobisher, English Arctic explorer, 1500s.; (add.info.: Martin Frobisher, English Arctic explorer, 1500s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures.

Testimonial presented to Sir Robert M'Clure, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Testimonial presented to Sir Robert M'Clure, 1856....a beautiful work of art...presented to Captain Sir Robert M'Clure, late of her Majesty's discovery-ship Investigator

Relics of the Franklin Expedition, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Relics of the Franklin Expedition, 1854. Items recovered from the ill-fated 1845 expedition led by Sir John Franklin, to find the Northwest Passage

Relics of the Franklin Expedition, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Relics of the Franklin Expedition, 1854. Items recovered from the ill-fated 1845 expedition led by Sir John Franklin, to find the Northwest Passage

Captain McClure, in his Arctic Dress - from a photograph by Captain Inglefield, 1854. Creator: Smyth
Captain McClure, in his Arctic Dress - from a photograph by Edward Augustus Inglefield, 1854. British explorer Sir Robert John Le Mesurier McClure traversed the Northwest Passage by boat and sledge

Sir Martin Frobisher, late 16th century, (1946). Creator: Cornelius Ketel
Sir Martin Frobisher, late 16th century, (1946). Portrait of Martin Frobisher (c1535-1594), English navigator, explorer and privateer who made three voyages to the New World in search of

Franklin's Guelphic Badge, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Franklin's Guelphic Badge, 1854. The Badge of the Knight's Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, worn by Franklin'

Franklin's Guelphic Badge, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Franklin's Guelphic Badge, 1854. The Badge of the Knight's Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, worn by Franklin'

Captain McClintocks search for the missing Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin
6030889 Captain McClintocks search for the missing Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin: the discovery of the Ross Cairn relics by Lieutenant Hobson of the yacht Fox

7177130

Richard Collinson - expedition leader on the HMS Enterprise, 1876 (photogravure)
939908 Richard Collinson - expedition leader on the HMS Enterprise, 1876 (photogravure) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

HMS Enterprise entering Dolphin and Union Strait, September 1852 (colour litho)
939907 HMS Enterprise entering Dolphin and Union Strait, September 1852 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The North-West Passage (etching)
974122 The North-West Passage (etching) by Millais, John Everett (1826-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The North-West Passage)

Sir John Franklin, British Arctic explorer (chromolitho)
2817129 Sir John Franklin, British Arctic explorer (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir John Franklin (1786-1845), British Arctic explorer

Henry Hudson landing on Manhattan (colour litho)
3095885 Henry Hudson landing on Manhattan (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry Hudson landing on Manhattan)

Henry Hudson landing at Hudson Bay (colour litho)
3095848 Henry Hudson landing at Hudson Bay (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry Hudson landing at Hudson Bay)

L expedition de Frobisher descendant la Tamise (engraving)
2789038 L expedition de Frobisher descendant la Tamise (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: L expedition de Frobisher descendant la Tamise)

Au Pole, Voyage Du Lieutenant Schwatka (engraving)
2789012 Au Pole, Voyage Du Lieutenant Schwatka (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Au Pole, Voyage Du Lieutenant Schwatka)

Henry Hudson receiving his commission from the Dutch East India Company, 1609 (engraving)
972363 Henry Hudson receiving his commission from the Dutch East India Company, 1609 (engraving) by Chappel, Alonzo (1828-87) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Young Martin sets out on his adventures (litho)
976595 Young Martin sets out on his adventures (litho) by Paget, Walter Stanley (1861-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: Young Martin sets out on his adventures)

Queen Victoria visiting HMS Resolute, 16th December, 1856, published 1859 (colour litho)
1275184 Queen Victoria visiting HMS Resolute, 16th December, 1856, published 1859 (colour litho) by Simpson, William Crimea (1823-99); Private Collection; (add.info)

H. M. Ships Erebus and Terror in the Ross Sea (w / c on paper)
3273604 H.M. Ships Erebus and Terror in the Ross Sea (w/c on paper) by Davis, John Edward (1815-77); 18.8x28.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Adventurer William Edward Parry
3848685 Adventurer William Edward Parry by Drummond, Samuel (1765-1844); (add.info.: Adventurer William Edward Parry- 1820 painting by Samuel Drummond (25 December 1766 - 6 August 1844)

John Franklin, British naval officer and Arctic explorer (chromolitho)
3105667 John Franklin, British naval officer and Arctic explorer (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Franklin (1786-1847)

The North-West Passage (photogravure)
6030878 The North-West Passage (photogravure) by Millais, John Everett (1826-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The North-West Passage)

View of an Iceberg from A Voyage towards the North Pole undertaken by his Majesty
939903 View of an Iceberg from A Voyage towards the North Pole undertaken by his Majestys Command, 1774 (engraving) by Cleveley

The North-West Passage (colour litho)
978027 The North-West Passage (colour litho) by Millais, John Everett (1826-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The North-West Passage)

A ship trapped by ice for 58 years (colour litho)
3096989 A ship trapped by ice for 58 years (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A ship trapped by ice for 58 years)

Birthplace of British explorer Sir John Franklin, Spilsby, Lincolnshire (b / w photo)
6014393 Birthplace of British explorer Sir John Franklin, Spilsby, Lincolnshire (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Map of West Arctic America showing the tracks of HMS Enterprise
939906 Map of West Arctic America showing the tracks of HMS Enterprise and Investigator in 1850-1854 (colour litho) by English School

Adventurer Edward Parry
3848688 Adventurer Edward Parry by Beechey, William (1753-1839); (add.info.: Adventurer Edward Parry portrait painting by Sir William Beechey (12 December 1753 - 28 January 1839)

The Last Voyage of Henry Hudson (chromolitho)
815691 The Last Voyage of Henry Hudson (chromolitho) by Collier, John (1850-1934) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry Hudson (1560/70-1611). English explorer. Hudson river named after him

Merchant venturer Sir Martin Frobisher encounters Eskimos in 1577 (colour litho)
3610852 Merchant venturer Sir Martin Frobisher encounters Eskimos in 1577 (colour litho) by British School, (16th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures; British, out of copyright

Adolf Erik Nordenskiolds expedition to the Northwest Passage, 1878-1880 (chromolitho)
2788697 Adolf Erik Nordenskiolds expedition to the Northwest Passage, 1878-1880 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Travel in the Victorian era (photogravure)
6030885 Travel in the Victorian era (photogravure) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Travel in the Victorian era)

Martin Frobishers new road to Cathay (oil on canvas)
3963583 Martin Frobishers new road to Cathay (oil on canvas) by McCormick, Arthur David (1860-1943); 69.8x90 cm; Newport Museum and Art Gallery

Frontispiece map from A Journal of Captain Cook
1547209 Frontispiece map from A Journal of Captain Cooks Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean and in Quest of a North-West Passage Between Asia and America by John Ledyard

Captain John Ross, British naval officer and Arctic explorer (chromolitho)
974567 Captain John Ross, British naval officer and Arctic explorer (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Captain John Ross (1777-1856)

Portrait of Sir John Franklin, RN (1770-1847), 1825. Creator: Thomas Phillips
Portrait of Sir John Franklin, RN (1770-1847), 1825

The North-West Passage, 1874, (1901). Creator: Unknown
The North-West Passage, 1874, (1901). An old seaman looks thoughtful as he considers the danger of an expedition to find the sea route round North America via the Canadian Arctic

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"Unlocking the Mysteries of the Northwest Passage: A Journey Through Time" Step into the fascinating world of exploration as we delve into the captivating history of the Northwest Passage. This treacherous sea route, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Arctic waters, has long enticed adventurers and explorers alike. In 1775, Captain James Cook embarked on a daring expedition to uncover this elusive passage. His courageous spirit paved the way for future explorers who would follow in his footsteps. One such explorer was Fridtjof Nansen, whose ship, the Fram, became frozen into ice in 1893 during his quest to conquer this formidable route. The Northwest Passage's rich history is dotted with remarkable discoveries that have shaped our understanding of this unforgiving terrain. Martin Frobisher, an English explorer from late 16th century, made significant contributions to mapping these icy waters. In 1880, Schwatka stumbled upon a grave belonging to Franklin's ill-fated expedition - shedding light on their tragic fate. Artists like Cornelius Ketel captured scenes depicting early encounters with this challenging landscape. Engravings from 1833 showcase the North Shore of Great Slave Lake while another engraving from 1823 portrays Franklin's expedition preparing an encampment on Barren Grounds and gathering lichen for survival. The search for Sir John Franklin continued relentlessly throughout history. Captain McClintock led expeditions in pursuit of answers and Lieutenant Hobson's discovery of Ross Cairn relics aboard the yacht Fox brought hope amidst uncertainty in May 1859. Richard Collinson took charge as expedition leader aboard HMS Enterprise in 1876 – pushing boundaries further than ever before. The vivid lithograph captures HMS Enterprise entering Dolphin and Union Strait in September 1852 – a testament to human resilience against nature's harshest elements.