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| FRMC in 1845 |
Overview–––Ships & captains–––Testimonies
Overview
CROZIER. (Captain, 1841. Full-Pay, 28; Half-Pay, 9. [as of 1847])
Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier was born at Banbridge, co. Down, Ireland. This officer entered the Navy, 12 June, 1810, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the HAMADRYAD 36, Capt. Sir Thos. Staines; and on removing with the latter, as Midshipman, in June, 1812, to the BRITON 38, took his departure for the Pacific. After a further attachment of nearly two years to the MEANDER 38, Capts. John Bastard and Arthur Fanshawe, lying in the river Thames, and QUEEN CHARLOTTE 100, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Sir Edw. Thornbrough, he proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope, in 1818, as Mate (having passed his examination in Feb. 1817) of the DOTEREL 18, Capt. Gore.
On
his return to England in 1821 Mr. Crozier was appointed to the FURY
discovery-ship, Capt. Wm. Edw. Parry; in which, and the HECLA, we find
him accompanying that officer in the two successive expeditions that
sailed from this country for the purpose of ascertaining the existence
of a North-West passage; 8 May, 1821, and 8 May, 1824. For his services
on the last occasion he was rewarded with a Lieutenant’s commission,
dated 2 March, 1826; subsequently to which he rejoined the HECLA, and,
becoming a third time the associate of Capt. Parry, left Deptford on
another exploratory voyage to the Arctic regions 25 March, 1827. [...]
The
expedition ultimately returning to the Thames in Oct. 1827, the subject
of this memoir was next appointed, 26 April, 1831, to the STAG 46,
Capts. Sir Edw. Thos. Troubridge and Nich. Lockyer, employed off the
coasts of Spain and Portugal, and, 23 Dec. 1835, as First-Lieutenant, to
the COVE, Capt. Jas. Clark Ross. On his subsequent return from Davis
Strait and Baffin Bay, whither he had gone in quest of some missing
whalers, he assumed the rank of Commander 10 Jan. 1837; and, on 11 May,
1839, was appointed to the TERROR, in which vessel he soon afterwards
sailed with an expedition, under Capt. James Clark Ross, for the
purposes of magnetic research and geographical discovery in the
Antarctic Ocean.
Capt.
Crozier, who during his absence was advanced to Post-rank, 16 Aug.
1841, arrived in England in 1843; and—having recommissioned the TERROR, 8
March, 1845—is now cooperating with Sir John Franklin in a fresh
attempt to explore the North-West Passage through Lancaster Sound and
Bering Strait. Agent—Joseph Woodhead.
Source: Crozier, Francis Rawdon Moira, A Naval Biographical Dictionary, 1849
Ships and captains
First class volunteer, Jun 12, 1810
Midshipman, [Oct 17], 1811
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Midshipman 1808 (Carreras 28) |
HAMADRYAD 36, Capt. Staines, Jun 1810 - Jun 1812
Fifth rate, frigate. A Spanish prize (orig. Santa Matilda 34, built in Havana, 1778, taken by Donegal and Medusa off Cadiz in 1804).
• Laid up at Portsmouth, then underwent repairs and in May 1810 was commissioned under Capt. Thomas Staines.
• Served on convoy to Newfoundland and Lisbon in 1810 and from St Helena in 1811.
• May 7 1812 commissioned under Capt. Chetham, sold in 1815.
[ship data from Winfield, unless noted otherwise]
[...] the frigate was large for her day and for some years following her capture in 1804 was rated as a 38; but she was not really big enough for the armament and in 1810 she was reduced to a 36. The hull form and proportions were very much in the French style with all the qualities, good and bad, that followed. She was reasonably fast but leewardly, very wet, and could not stow a full 6-month allocation of stores. However, unlike French ships, she was strongly built, living up to the reputation of Havana-built warships for longevity [...]
Hamadryad is the only ex-Spanish frigate of this era for which full [sailing] reports survive [Jan 1 1814 and Feb 22 1815]. In general Spanish ships did not enjoy a high reputation for their sailing qualities, and this ship was not outstanding. She logged 9.4 [knots] close-hauled and 12.4 [knots] large, but was reckoned very leewardly – 'most ships beat us by the wind by weathering upon us', but the ship was better going free. She handled well, and was an easy ship in a seaway, but being low she was very wet, close-hauled or large. The hull was of small capacity and could not stow 6 months' provisions, barely 4 months' going under hatches, but she was very stiff and needed no salt water in the ground tier even when most of the provisions were expended. Although very old by 1814, she was still reckoned a strong ship. (Gardiner, p. 151)
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Staines' sword, after his death passed to Adm. Nias (Parry II, midshipman) (source) |
[...] Sir Thomas Staines was appointed to the Hamadryad of 42 guns [post 1817 rating, actual armament], in which ship we find him successively employed convoying a transport to the banks of Newfoundland (on her way to Quebec,) cruising off the Western islands, escorting some troops, &c. to the mouth of the Tagus, accompanying a fleet of East Indiamen from St. Helena to the Downs, and cruising on the Irish station. (Royal Naval Biography)
The captain was satisfied with his young charge – when Staines was sent as an emergency substitute to HMS Briton, Crozier was among those who transferred with him.
BRITON 38, Capt. Staines, Jun 1812 - Aug 1815
Fifth rate, (repeat) Leda class frigate. Built at Chatham.
• Commissioned in April 1812 for the Channel and the Bay of Biscay, however her first captain, Henry Whitby, died a month later. In June she was commissioned under Capt. Staines.
• Later recommissioned for South American station and Home waters.
• Ended up first as a convict, then a target ship, broken up in 1860.
Note:
Leda class, based on a French prize from 1782, was the most used frigate design (parallel with the Lively class) in the period 1803-1830, and the two surviving 19th c. frigates are both Ledas: HMS Trincomalee, now at Hartlepool (Bombay built of teak, restored to 1815 appearance, apart from the 1845 corvette stern [Gardiner, p. 58]; watch video) and HMS Unicorn, at Dundee (never commissioned, retains the original roof; site).
[Staines'] next appointment was, May 7, 1812, to the Briton frigate; but being at sea when it took place, he did not join her until the 17th June following. (RNB)
In 1812-13 Staines contributed to the war with the US by cruising in the Bay of Biscay and taking six unarmed merchantmen as well as a 14-gun, 120 crew privateer Le Sans-Souci (Dec 15 1812) and 4-gun privateer La Melance (off Bordeaux Sep 9 1813). "He also recaptured an English ship and two brigs; drove on shore two coasting traders; and assisted at the capture of five American vessels, the whole having valuable cargoes." (RNB)
Staines sailed as part of convoy for East Indies Dec 31 1813, changing course for Rio – this was the end of the regular patrols, and the Briton ended up zigzagging around the south, but not seeing much action:
On the 31st Dec. 1813, Sir Thomas Staines sailed from Spithead in company with several men of war and 49 merchantmen, destined for the East Indies; but on their arrival off Madeira he separated from his consorts in order to assist and protect a disabled Indiaman, with which he arrived at Rio Janeiro, on the 19th Mar., 1814. From thence the Briton was suddenly ordered round Cape Horn, in quest of a large American frigate [...] Sir Thomas Staines found [Capt. Hillyar] lying at Valparaiso, in company with his prize [the Essex] and the Tagus frigate, the latter commanded by Captain Philip Pipon. (RNB)
The Briton and Tagus proceeded to Peru, the Galapagos and the Marquesas islands. The Briton took US 2-gun privateer Joel Barlow on Jul 3. In September they located Bounty mutineers on Pitcairn:
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| Tagus & Briton at Pitcairn (source) |
Then they "revisited Valparaiso and Callao, touched at Coquimbo and Juan Fernandez, and continued in the Pacific, affording protection to the British interests, until April 1815" when they returned to Rio:
[...] Sir Thomas Staines found the commander-in-chief preparing to return home, in consequence of the termination of hostilities between Great Britain and America; and, notwithstanding [the application for him to guard the Chilean coast], he received orders to accompany that officer, with whom he arrived at Plymouth on the 8th July, 1815. (RNB)
Note:
See RNB for more details on Pitcairn. Also a travelogue: Shillibeer, J., A Narrative of the Briton's Voyage to Pitcairn's Island, 1817 (read, download available).
MEANDER 38, Capts. Bastard & Fanshawe, Jan - Sep 1816
Fifth rate, (modified) Leda class frigate. Built of short-service red pine at Northfleet as part of the softwood programme for the North American emergency (Gardiner, p. 37).
• Launched and fitted for ordinary in 1813, from Jul 1814 commissioned under Capt. Bastard.
• Fitted for Channel service in 1816. From Aug 10 1816 (source) under Capt. Arthur Fanshawe (acting; posted Oct 17).
• From Oct 1816 under Capt. James Gordon. Grounded on shoal off Yarmouth and nearly lost. Broken up in 1817.
John Bastard (1787?-1835) was born in Devon. Saw action in the East Indies and on the North America station. Retired, having been elected MP in May 1816. Died in London aged 48.
Midshipman Charles Barlow (b. 1800) wrote on Nov 9, 1814, praising the ship and the captain:
She sails very well, not only the ship but the Captain and officers all; the former allows us to go into his cabin whenever we like and take any books that we wish to read and there is a fire and it is very comfortable as you may suppose. We go in the morning and learn one or two problems of Euclid, which one of the midshipmen is so good as to teach us. (as quoted in Brendon)
Meander spent the first six months of 1815 in the Mediterranean, and, with Napoleon banished to St Helena, was ordered home. In 1816 Barlow was posted to HMS Queen Charlotte. Crozier would first join this same ship in early 1817, after the African campaign. 8 crewmen of the Queen Charlotte were killed and 131 wounded
during the bombardment of Algiers, Aug 27 1816. Young Barlow survived
(like Crozier, he'd also take care of his unmarried sisters).
QUEEN CHARLOTTE 108, Capt. Boger, Jan 1817 – Apr 1818
First rate, ship of the line, Royal George class. Built at Deptford, to replace her predecessor lost by fire in 1801, to the same design.
• Commissioned in 1813, as flagship of Adm. Lord Keith for Channel service.
• From Oct 1815 under Capt. Boger, as flagship of Sir Edward Thornbrough at Portsmouth. Repaired, then guardship in 1816.
• Recommissioned under Capt. Brisbane as flagship of Adm. Lord Exmouth for expedition to Algiers (the only action the ship saw due to late completion).
• Under Capt. Kinghorne in Sep 1816, then again under Boger as Thornbrough's flagship in Oct 1816 – Aug 1818. Continued afterwards as flagship for other admirals.
• After major repairs commissioned for ordinary in 1831, then as flagship in 1859, renamed Excellent.
• Ended up as a gunnery training ship at Portsmouth a year later, sold in 1892 to break up.
Edmund Boger was another extremely experienced veteran. He went to sea in 1789 and then "he was never a single day out of active employment until he came on shore with the rank of Post-Captain, in 1806" (RNB). He fought the French in the Med and the Caribbean, then served on the Lisbon station, and in 1815 was appointed flag-captain to Sir Edward Thornbrough.
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Algiers. Queen Charlotte on the left, flying blue admiral's flag (source) |
Mate, Apr 1818
(lieutenant's examination passed Feb 5, 1817)
At least two years of service as midshipman is required to become Master's Mate, a position of high responsibility. The examination for Lieutenant (no earlier than at the age of nineteen and "provided they have been constantly at sea for the last six years", Falconer) is a required step at this stage. Crozier would wait another ten years for his commission. Which was not uncommon
July 19th, 1821, on which day a general promotion took place in honor of his Majesty's coronation. Of ten commanders made post, the junior had held the former rank upwards of nine years; the senior lieutenant promoted had been a commissioned officer nearly twenty-five years; and the whole of the midshipmen who then obtained advancement passed their examinations prior to December, 1813. (source)
DOTEREL 18, Capt. Gore, Apr 1818 - Mar 1821
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| Ship plan, Navy Office (source) |
• First commissioned in 1808, fought against the French, then served in the West Indies and on the North American station.
• Laid up at Chatham in 1815, recommissioned in Feb 13 1818 under the Irish Lieutenant John Gore, serving out of Cork. Ordered to the Cape of Good Hope. Took US schooner Volunteer Nov 16 1820 (source).
• Paid off in Jul 1821 when Gore was also posted. Doterel had four more captains, then, in disrepair, was laid up in Bermuda in 1827, broken up in 1855.
During the relatively successful first decade of service Crozier saw the entire Atlantic and the South Pacific. However, the Navy was changing, and it meant a new field of action for Crozier too – in spring 1821 he joined the crew of HMS Fury for his first polar expedition.
FURY, Capt. Parry, Mar 1821 - Nov 1823
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| Hecla & Fury Aug 1 1825 (source) |
• Commissioned in 1816, at bombardment of Algiers Aug 27.
• Fitted as Arctic discovery vessel in 1820-21, re-registered as a sloop and recommissioned under Capt. Parry. Sailed to the Arctic in 1821 and once again, under Cmdr. Hoppner, in 1824.
• Abandoned Aug 25 1825.
* Ware's The Bomb Vessel uniquely calls it "Fury class" (seemingly because the Fury was the first one to be launched?).
Sir William Edward Parry – Dictionary of National Biography
HECLA, Capt. Parry, Jan 1824 - Nov 1825
Discovery ship. Originally Hecla class bomb, built at Hull.
• Commissioned in 1816, at bombardment of Algiers Aug 27.
• Fitted as Arctic discovery vessel in 1818-19, re-registered as a sloop and recommissioned under Lt. Parry. Sailed to the Arctic in 1819, 1821 (Cmdr. Lyon), 1824 (Capt. Parry), to Svalbard in 1827.
• Fitted and recommissioned to survey the coast of Africa. Sold in 1831.
Lieutenant, Mar 2, 1826
HECLA, Capt. Parry, Nov 11 1826 - Nov 1 1827
Appointed 3rd Lt. Nov 11 1826, for the expedition to Svalbard and the North Pole.
Crozier adapted well to the new circumstances and developed an interest in science. Still, after three and a half years of half-pay, his only option was a return to the European waters and the Irish station onboard HMS Stag (Apr 26 1831).
STAG 46, Capts. Troubridge & Lockyer, Apr 26 1831 - Dec 16 1835
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| Sea trials Jul 21 1831. Stag 2nd from the right (source) |
• Employed off the coasts of Spain and Portugal.
Sir E. Thomas Troubridge (1790?-1852) was a midshipman on the Victory under Nelson, later saw action in India and North America. In 1831, with his quest for distinctions failing, Troubridge asked permission to return to the professional services. He was appointed to the Irish command at Cork, with a broad pennant in the Stag (Apr 15). However, he was elected an MP in May, and, a month later, became a naval aide-de-camp to the king as well. Consequently he spent the year shuttling between the Parliament and the ship that did little more than hop from one Channel port to the other. The only time the Stag made a quick visit to her base in Ireland was under a temporary captain, Cmdr. Herringham.
When the civil war broke out in Portugal in 1832, the Admiralty sent the Stag to Madeira, for observation (Mar 23). By July, they were cruising off the Portuguese coast. Dom Pedro I, just arrived from Brazil, was shown round the ship. Upon return to England, Troubridge declined a transfer to the Malabar, wishing to retain the Stag, but was cut loose instead. He then devoted himself entirely to politics.
Nicholas Lockyer (1781-1847), a veteran of numerous actions, succeeded Troubridge in autumn 1832. The new captain and Crozier got along, as evidenced by Cape Lockyer in the Antarctic. Also joining the Stag at that time was Thomas Edward Laws Moore, future Crozier's midshipman on the Terror (source).
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| 1831 - 1832 a - 1832 b - 1835 |
Crozier never joined another fighting ship – and he would never captain one either. His only command, the stalwart Terror, was a discovery vessel. Before that, he joined Ross for an energetic, but ultimately resultless charity operation tasked with saving a group of whaling ships.
COVE, Capt. Ross, Dec 23 1835 - Sep 26 1836
Sir James Clark Ross – A Naval Biographical Dictionary
In late 1835 information appeared that 11 whalers with over 600 men (including survivors from wrecked ships) were beset in Davis Strait. James Clark Ross, reacting to Captain Humphreys' petition, devised a relief mission plan – they'd start with a single ship which would later be joined by two specially strengthened vessels – and offered his services to the Admiralty. He selected the Cove; the ship was speedily outfitted and ready for sea within a fortnight, commissioned Dec 18. The picking of officers was left entirely to Ross. Captain Humphreys was appointed Master. Crozier was appointed as Ross' 1st lieutenant Dec 23. They were to proceed to the edge of the pack, distributing provisions and effecting evacuations as required. They left Hull on Jan 6 1836.
Two additional ships were chosen for the second, support mission: Erebus and Terror, the former new, the latter a veteran. Both needed extensive work and would not be ready until February. With some of the whalers returning, it became clear only one of these ships might be needed, and then the option was abandoned entirely. The Erebus was not commissioned at all. The Terror was commissioned by Cmdr. Belcher and completed conversion, only to be paid off Mar 24. Meantime, Ross experienced a serious accident (loss of bowsprit; foundering prevented by captain's quick reaction) and was forced to return for repairs to Stromness. They found themselves however in the right place as they were able to render urgent assistance to the whalers limping into harbour.
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| Sisimiut |
Eventually, Jun 13, Ross received the news that no other ships were coming, and that the Cove was ordered home. They made further examinations of the pack and the shore, but discovered no trace of the last missing whaler (it was later determined that that ship was lost in Dec 1835). The Cove left the ice for the final time Aug 7 and was back in Hull Aug 31. Sep 26 the ship's company was paid off, and the vessel returned to her owners. Crozier, as 1st lieutenant, supervised the winding down and was the last to leave. While they didn't reach the goals outlined in 1835, the Admiralty was satisfied with their efforts.
Following, with Ross lobbying for him, Crozier achieved a promotion, but his situation remained the same, as he did not receive a ship.
Commander, Jan 10, 1837
TERROR, Capt. Crozier, May 1839 - Sep 1843
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Terror ditched at Lough Swilly, Ireland, Sep 1837 (source) |
• Commissioned in 1813 to North America station. Used as tender to the Howe in 1835.
• Converted to Arctic discovery vessel at Chatham in 1836. Sailed to the Arctic under Capt. Back.
• Fitted for Antarctic and coppered in 1839, recommissioned under Cmdr. Crozier May 11.
More on the Terror (PDF; Appendix 9, p. 21)
Post-Captain, Aug 16, 1841
Certificate of a Candidate for Election, The Royal Society, May 11/Dec 7, 1843
TERROR, Capt. Crozier, Mar 1845 – 1848
• Fitted again for the Arctic, with an auxiliary steam engine, in 1845. Commissioned Mar 8, sailed May 19 under Capt. Crozier.
• Abandoned in 1848. Sunk wreck discovered in 2016.
Note:
Exploration of the wrecks continues. Though the Terror was the flagship at the time of abandonment, the Erebus is prioritised because of her more exposed position (video 1 | longer video 2 | video 3).
Sources:
- The Annual Biography and Obituary for the Year 1831, Vol. 15 – Staines
- Brendon, Vyvyen, Children at Sea. Lives Shaped by the Waves, 2020
- Crozier, F.R.M., Letter to his brother Thomas, Oct 1 1836, RGS800137, Royal Geographical Society
- Falconer, William, A New Universal Dictionary of the Marine, 1815, pp. 276-279
- Gardiner, Robert, Frigates of the Napoleonic Wars, 2006
- The Gentleman's Magazine, Obituary – Bastard
- The History of Parliament – Troubridge
- Jones, A.G.E., The Voyage of H.M.S. Cove, Captain James Clark Ross, 1835–36, in: Polar Record, Volume 5, Issue 40, July 1950, pp. 543-556
- Kimmins, Olga, Service Record
- Nelsonandhisworld, forum – Staines
- Royal Naval Biography – Boger
- Royal Naval Biography – Gore
- Royal Navy Biography – Staines
- Winfield, Rif, British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817. Design, Construction, Careers and Fates, 2008
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Parting company with Terror, Jun 4 1845 (source) |
Testimonies
James Clark Ross
A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions, During the Years 1839-43, Vol. I, 1847
The eastern cape at the foot of Mount Terror was named after my friend and colleague Commander Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier, of the Terror, to whose zeal and cordial co-operation is mainly to be ascribed, under God's blessing, the happiness as well as success of the expedition: under the circumstances we were placed in, it is impossible for others fully to understand the value of having so tried a friend, of now more than twenty years' standing, as commander of the second ship, upon whom the harmony and right feeling between the two vessels so greatly depends. (pp. 219-220)
The Royal Society obituary
1854 (source)
Captain
Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier, R.N., the companion of Sir John Franklin
on his last and fatal voyage, and second in the command of the
expedition, was eminently qualified for the post by long experience in
the navigation of the icy seas. [...] Captain Crozier was distinguished
for devotion to his duties as an officer, zeal for the advancement of
science, and the untiring assiduity and exactness of his magnetic and
other observations. The Transactions of the Royal Society, as well as
the published results of the Antarctic Expedition, bear ample testimony
to his diligence and ability.
J.H. Loftie
As quoted in the article "Monument to the Late Captain Francis R.M. Crozier, R.N.," Belfast News-Letter, Oct 14 1859 (article – thank you Natalie | source) Loftie was Crozier's long-time friend, married to his niece. The family lived in Italy for a while.
On early career
When
[Captain Crozier] was a mere boy of fourteen on board the Hamadryad,
cruising off the coast of France, he was sent on shore to leave a bundle
of Royalist proclamations. The French Imperial Government were very
indignant at the English presuming to put these proclamations on the
coast of France, and said they would hang any person as a spy whom they
found doing it. The Captain said to Captain [then Volunteer of the First
Class] Crozier, "You see that sandhill with the flagstaff. Go up there,
and leave these proclamations." The ship, of course, was lying at a
considerable distance, and Captain Crozier, on landing, found that
instead of being close to high water mark, as was supposed, [it] was
probably half a mile inland. From a sense of duty and obedience to
command, he went up the sandhill, and there deposited the bundle of
papers. He was seen by the gendarmerie, and a company of soldiers
was sent to cut him off. This was perceived from the ship. A boat was
manned, and sent in with an 18-pounder, which fired grape-shot, and
cleared a way for him through the soldiers; but he was pursued by the gendarmerie
on horseback. He told him (Mr. Loftie) that he never had such a run in
his life, for the bullets were flying about him. The first thing he did
on reaching the water was to throw himself in and dive, and then just
keep his head up to get breath till the boat picked him up. And what was
his reward for this? The first word of the First Lieutenant was, "How
did you come to give us all this trouble, Sir? Look at all the trouble
we have had for you." Captain Crozier said, "I went as I was desired."
"But did you not know that we only wanted to leave them ashore." "I
thought so," said Captain Crozier, "but I was desired to leave them at
the flagstaff, and I was not to put my opinion in opposition to your
command."
On the situation post-Antarctic expeditionSir
Geo. Napier – a distinguished member of a very distinguished family –
was Governor of the Cape at the time, and knew well the dangers of the
service, and when he met Captain Crozier afterwards in Italy he said,
"It is a hard thing to come home and not get a medal of honour or a
decoration. There are people coming home after comparatively slight
service in China, and they are getting promotion and decorations." The
answer was, "In our service they never decorate us unless for being in
action." "Oh, said Sir George Napier, I consider, Captain, that you have
been in action for the last four years."
A
Memoir of the late Captain Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier, R.N., F.R.S.,
F.R.A.S., of H.M.S. Terror, Printed for the Committee of the
Crozier Memorial by William Kirkwood, 1859 (PDF; read)
William Jerdan
Captain Crozier, in: The Leisure Hour, Feb 28 1861 (read) | with Addenda, in: Men I Have Known, 1866 (read) | Jerdan observing Crozier and Ross' preparations, The Literary Gazette, Sep 28 1839 (read)
Sophy Louisa Percy Bagot
Links with the Past, 1901 (source)
Sir James Ross and Captain Crozier, in H.M.SS. Erebus and Terror, anchored in Simon's Bay on their way from the Antarctic to England. The two captains spent a month with us at the Admiralty House. They remained at Simon's Bay, &c., for scientific purposes and observation there and at the Magnetic Observatory at Cape Town. The Astronomer Royal, Mr. M'Clear [*], was a great friend of ours. My father invited him to meet them. [...]
Sir James Ross and Captain Crozier were like brothers; so attached by their mutual tastes, and dangers shared together. Their hands shook so much they could hardly hold a glass or cup. Sir James Ross told me when he took me in to dinner one day: "You see how our hands shake? One night in the Antarctic did this for both of us. A fearful gale arose, and a heavy sea was running – icebergs, lumps of ice in some parts, and a wall of ice before us, through a hole and rent in which we knew we must steer and find a passage. It was a pitch dark night, and the only way by which we could know where the division in the ice wall was, was a darker gap, which we knew must be the rent, or passage. Both Erebus and Terror steered for the blackest gap. We could not see each other, and we both thought we had run each other down, as we could not see or find our companion ship." They were twenty-four hours before they sighted each other [**]; it shook their nerves more than anything that had yet befallen them. [...]
Captain Crozier said in neither of the two ships had their medicines and surgery stores ever been used except once for an accident to a man's hand. In Simon's Bay the men fell ill. They all felt the heat intensely, though it was the Cape winter. We were very sorry to part with the Erebus and Terror. They described the weather at the South Pole as so far worse in storms than at the North Polar regions. We never saw any of them again. (pp. 76-78)
Notes:
* Thomas Maclear was not a Scot, as the author claims, but an Ulsterman, like Crozier.
** About an hour and a half passed between the collision and the ships sighting each other on the other side of the bergs (more on the collision).