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The Sinking of the Eira, Cape Flora, 1881
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The Sinking of the Eira, Cape Flora, 1881
Engraving showing the yacht Eira, commanded by Benjamin Leigh Smith, crushed by the ice and sinking off Cape Flora, Franz Joseph Land, 21st August 1881. Following the sinking the crew endured an epic journey to safety, dragging the ships boats over ice for six weeks and sailing through a strong gale to try to reach Nova Zembla. They were rescued by Sir Allen Young in the ship Hope at Matotchkin Strait, August 1882
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Media ID 4382477
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10217760
1881 1882 21st Allen Benjamin Cape Commanded Crew Crushed Dragging Endured Epic Flora Franz Gale Journey Leigh Nova Reach Rescued Safety Sinking Strait Strong Weeks Yacht Smith
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The Sinking of the Eira: An Epic Journey to Safety in the Arctic, 1881 This engraving depicts the tragic sinking of the yacht Eira off the coast of Cape Flora, Franz Joseph Land, on August 21, 1881. The vessel, commanded by the renowned Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith, was crushed by the ice and soon began to sink. The crew, consisting of 14 men, faced an arduous journey to safety. For six weeks, they dragged their ships' boats over the treacherous ice floes, battling the harsh Arctic conditions. Their only hope was to reach Nova Zembla, but the journey was far from easy. They endured strong gales and frigid temperatures, their spirits buoyed only by their determination to survive. Finally, on August 18, 1882, they were rescued by Sir Allen Young and his ship, the Hope, in Matotchkin Strait. The crew's harrowing experience is a testament to their resilience and the dangers of Arctic exploration. Benjamin Leigh Smith, a British naval officer and Arctic explorer, had a long history of navigating the treacherous waters of the Arctic. However, this journey would prove to be his most challenging yet. The Eira's sinking marked a turning point in his career, and the crew's survival story became a legend in the annals of Arctic exploration. This historical engraving, from the Illustrated London News, provides a glimpse into the past, offering a vivid portrayal of the perils and triumphs of Arctic exploration in the late 19th century.
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