From letters and other contemporary materials
- 1843-4 – Ross & Crozier receive unofficial leadership proposals, both decline
- Jun 1844 – The Franklins return to London and embark on a campaign to restore Franklin's status
- Aug – Crozier removes himself from the situation in London and travels to Ireland
- Oct 4 – Crozier, on his way to Europe, writes to Ross from Plymouth. Ross replies immediately
- Nov 29 – Crozier finally replies to Ross, reacts sympathetically to the news of the Franklins' travails (received by Ross Dec 6)
- Dec – Barrow takes “Proposal for an attempt to complete the discovery of a North West Passage” to Haddington
- Dec 19 – Ross gives Beaufort his final decision: he's moving aside for Franklin
- Dec 19 – Ross writes Crozier with breaking news regarding the expedition (that Crozier thought shelved) and Franklin as proposed leader, as well as a possibility for Crozier to go as second (rec. Dec 30)
- Dec 23 – Ross clarifies his position to Beaufort (he won't change his mind given more time) and mentions Crozier as a candidate for second
- Dec 24 – Franklin replies to Ross regarding his offer of the expedition
- Dec 30 – Crozier finds Ross' letter waiting in Florence and, fearing he might miss his chance because of postal delays, replies with a quick, enthusiastic note, agreeing to go as second (to Franklin or, alternatively, Parry or Ross) and expressing trust in Ross' decisions. He believes it's too late to volunteer to lead, and that he's the wrong person for that anyway
- Dec 31 – Crozier elaborates to Ross regarding his decision, emphasising he'd not go as second to anyone else and stating that it's widely known he's not fit to lead. He calculates he could be back in early February, but there'd still be plenty of time (rec. Jan 9)
- Dec 31 – Franklin writes his wife Jane that he's still not certain he'd get the expedition
- Jan 9 1845 – Ross informs Franklin about Crozier agreeing
- Jan 9 – Franklin expresses his satisfaction to Ross ("I should be glad to have so fine a fellow as Crozier for my second"), but raises some issues that might arise (the board preferring a younger commander, rather than another captain, as a second)
- Jan 10 – Upon arrival of Crozier's second letter and after consultation with Franklin, Ross replies instantly (rec. delayed Jan 23)
- Jan 16 – Royal Society confirms the expedition
- Jan 23 – Ross' letter finally arrives and finds Crozier mired in doubts regarding his approval and stalling. He thinks it possible the expedition might not go ahead without Ross. He does confirm his choice to go as second (rec. Feb 2)
- Feb 6 – Ross would prefer to see Crozier in London, but cannot give any news on confirmation (rec. Feb 15)
- Feb 8 – Ross messages Franklin having talked to Haddington about Crozier
- Feb 8 – Franklin informs Ross he's been confirmed for expedition command (Feb 7)
- Feb [8 ?] – Without waiting for Crozier's reply, Ross writes to him about his efforts on Crozier's behalf as well as Franklin's confirmation (rec. Feb 18)
- Feb [9 ?] – Ross tells Franklin that he's written to Crozier
- Feb 10 – Franklin tells Ross that Crozier's appointment has been confirmed, and that he now wishes to recall Crozier
- Feb 10 – Franklin writes Crozier on the same matter
- Feb 15 – Crozier replies to Ross' of Feb 6; he's focused on the expedition, but has not changed his mind regarding the wait (rec. Feb 24)
- Feb 15 – Crozier writes his agent doubting the expedition is still on and refusing to shift (source: Franklin to Ross Feb 24)
- Feb 18 – Crozier replies to Ross' of Feb 8; a delay at Leghorn is keeping him in Florence, he has further (independent?) doubts regarding two captains being employed
- Feb 19 – Crozier receives Franklin's letter with the confirmation and replies that he's on his way (rec. Feb 28; source: Franklin to Richardson Mar 1); on the same day he finally writes to his sisters and tells the news
- Feb 24 – Franklin selects his officers
- Mar – Crozier arrives in London a month later than originally proposed, and officially takes command of the Terror
The Literary
Gazette:
Feb 22 After
communications from the first Lord of the Admiralty (the Earl of
Haddington), Sir J. F. has undertaken this onerous enterprise; and,
with the experienced and able Capt. Crozier (who is daily expected
from the continent) as his second, will forthwith prepare for the
service. (p. 119)
Mar 8 Captain
Crozier has (as was expected) arrived from the continent to take the
command of his old ship, the Terror. (p. 152)
Sources:
- Crozier, F.R.M., Letter to Charlotte (sister), MS 1372/2
- Crozier, F.R.M., Letters to James Clark Ross, MS 248/364/17, MS 248/364/19-25
- Franklin, John, Letter to Isabella Cracroft, 248/298/18-20
- Franklin, John, Letter to Jane Franklin, MS 248/303/83
- Franklin, John, Letter to John Richardson, Wamsley collection
- Franklin, John, Letters to James Clark Ross, MS 248/316/16, 248/316/17, 248/316/21, 248/316/22, 248/316/23
- The Literary Gazette, Feb 22 1845 PDF; read)
- The Literary Gazette, Mar 8 1845 (PDF; read)
- Potter, Russell A. (ed.)(et al.), May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth. Letters of the Lost Franklin Arctic Expedition, 2022
- [Ross, James Clark], A Memoir of the late Captain Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier, R.N., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., of H.M.S. Terror, 1859
- Ross, M.J., Polar Pioneers: John Ross and James Clark Ross, 1994
- Ross, M.J., Ross in the Antarctic, 1982