Ross-Crozier Antarctic exploration voyage 1839-43

A painting by Dayman of HMS Terror entering Christmas Harbour in stormy weather, with rock arch in the background


The officers of HMS Terror–––Official instructions–––The departure–––Cape of Good Hope–––Kerguelen Islands–––Van Diemen's Land–––The first tour of the Antarctic: Islands discovered–––The second winter: Festivities & Crozier's illness–––The second tour: Ice hazards & collision–––Falkland Islands: Crozier's promotion & 'birthday'–––The third tour–––Postscript


Selected notes on the British Antarctic Expedition 1839-1943, Captains Ross, HMS Erebus, and Crozier, HMS Terror (from sources other than Ross' narrative)


The officers of HMS Terror

 
The Antarctic expedition did not start as a Ross-Crozier enterprise. James Clark Ross was given the command and tasked with finding a reliable second. At some point in early 1839 the wish list (Fig. 1) contained

Crew suggestions for the Antarctic voyage
From the crew wish lists (source)
Capt. F.P. Blackwood - 28.6.38 
Cmr. Austin (now Capt. on Ditto) 
  "     Sherer (commanding Dee)   
  "     Crozier –
 
Note:
• Francis Price Blackwood (1809-1854), son of Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood; future hydrographic surveyor of Australia 1842-1845 (source)
• Horatio Thomas Austin (1801-1865), son of an official in the Chatham Dockyard; Lt. on Hoppner's Fury, Parry III; during the Chanticleer expedition took over when Cmr. Foster (Parry III & IV) perished, Commander 1831; future Franklin searcher, HMS Resolute (source)
• Joseph Sherer; midshipman on Lyon's Hecla, Parry II; Lt. on Parry's Hecla, Parry III; Commander 1829 after service in West Indies; 1838-1841 in command of the Dee (source)
• Crozier, Commander (sans ship) since 1837

Crozier had never captained a ship, but he was a known quantity, had plenty of ice navigation experience and also had sailed in the southern hemisphere. The Admiralty normally preferred a Captain–Commander combo, and it would had improved his chances, not to speak of the fact that he was instantly available. Crozier was officially appointed to the Terror May 11 1839. A similar wish-list existed for the lieutenants (Fig. 2), and among the candidates for the Terror (Fig. 3) was James Fitzjames, later of Franklin's North-West Passage attempt. Issues of availability prevented Crozier becoming Fitzjames' Parry.


The British Antarctic Expedition

Official instructions


  • On the way to touch at the Island of Madeira and obtain the sea-rates of the chronometers. Make short series of observations at the Rock of St. Paul. Continue to the Island of St. Helena where the observers and the instruments for the fixed magnetic observatory are to be landed.
  • To endeavour to ascertain at what point the curve of least magnetic intensity is crossed.
  • At the Cape of Good Hope the second fixed magnetic observatory is to be established. After watering and replacing the stores, to proceed east, touching at Marion and Crozet Isles for observations if possible.
  • If the operations at Kerguelen Island should be completed before the end of February, 1840, conditions permitting, Ross is to venture further south, but early arrival at Van Diemen's Land is of greater importance.
  • If delayed at Kerguelen to touch at the Islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam and proceed to Van Diemen's Land by the course best calculated for inferring the position of the magnetic pole.
  • At Van Diemen's Land to establish the third observatory and staff it for the period of Ross' absence. Following, immediately proceed to Sydney to make further observations.
  • Remaining winter months to be employed visiting New Zealand and other islands and obtaining as many series of observations as possible, taking care to return to Van Diemen's Land by the end of October to refit.
  • In the following summer to proceed directly southward in order to determine the position of the magnetic pole and even attain it if possible.
  • To withdraw from the high latitudes before getting beset in ice, otherwise seek a suitable overwintering location.
  • If wintering is avoided, return to Van Diemen's Land and continue with observations.
  • Next year to resume the examination of the antarctic seas in the highest latitude possible, proceeding eastward from the point reached the preceding season.
  • Finding any great extent of land, to lay down the lines of the coast, correct positions of known objects, obtain geographical knowledge, acting as surveying vessels.
  • The South Shetlands, the Orkneys or Sandwich Islands and lastly the Falklands to terminate the magnetic experiments.
  • If no further instructions received, to return to England by the most suitable route.
  • Ross is advised against the ships separating, and communication between them is encouraged, as well as exchanging of scientific results.
  • In case of one ship becoming disabled, the officers and crew are to be removed to the other. If the Erebus is the one affected, Ross is to command the Terror; if Ross perishes, Crozier is to take the command of the expedition from either the Erebus or the Terror. In both cases the expedition is to continue.
  • In the event of England becoming involved in a war, no hostile acts are to be committed; as scientific vessels they are to be considered neutral.
  • Instructions will follow regarding the disposal of all specimens of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms which should be collected and preserved.

A painting by Davis of HMS Terror and crew working on the ice
Watering in the pack (by Davis, 2nd Master, HMS Terror)
 

The departure

 
1839

• The older Terror has already served as a polar vessel (see Campbell, Appendix 9), while the Erebus, of the same class as the Hecla and the Fury, is new. During the early stages of outfitting Ross uses the Terror as his de facto flagship, and all crew are assigned to her. Crozier assumes his post in May, and the slate is wiped clean, with everyone switching over to the Erebus, "so that the Terror is not to be considered as having been in Commission at all, as yet" (source)
 
The Literary Gazette, Sat 14 Sep 1839

On Tuesday, the Terror, Captain Crozier, dropped down from off the Dock-yard, at Chatham, to Gillingham, with all her white canvas spread, and looking like a bird of passage preparing to wing its way to another clime; and on Thursday, or as soon after as possible, her companion, the Erebus; Captain James Clark Ross, was appointed to follow, and then proceed on their voyage together.
The Erebus and Terror seem to be twin ships, alike in build, in colours, in masts and rigging, and indeed, in every external appearance. An inexperienced eye could not tell the one from the other. The Erebus is about 370 tons; the Terror 340. In each the full compliment of officers and men is 64 — 128 in all. [...]
[...] Another pleasant circumstance to record is the friendship subsisting between Captains Ross and Crozier. [*] They have been messmates and intimate together. Crozier was a midshipman in the ship where Ross was a lieutenant [sic]; he was a lieutenant where Ross was captain, and now he is captain where Ross is commodore of the expedition. They have served together, know and regard each other, and this is an auspicious promise for their mutual good understanding and cordial co-operation to the end; when bound together in their brave barks — 
"To reside 
"In thrilling regions of thick ribbed ice, 
"To be imprisoned in the viewless winds, 
"And blown (we trust not) with restless violence round about 
"The pendent world. [**]
 
Note:
* "The two treat each other as brothers." – Eleanor Franklin, 1841
** Shakespeare, "Measure for Measure", Act III ("Ay, but to die, and go we know not where")

• The Terror experiences a traditionally turbulent passage through the Bay of Biscay. As they're catching up with the more fortunate Erebus, the divine service (outlined in the Articles) does not take place for more than a month
 
Cunningham (Sergeant of Royal Marines, HMS Terror):
Nov 10 Sunday
Am happy to say Divine Service was performed for the first time; it gave me pleasure to our little Group sitting on Capstan Bars & Buckets on the Quarter Deck listening to our good Captain reading the Word of God.

• After leaving St Pauls' Rocks (Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo), on Dec 3 the Terror crosses the line: "Celebrated the Equatorial Mysteries with the usual Solemnities" (the log of the Terror, p. 89)


The Cape of Good Hope

 
1840
 
• The expedition proceeds south, visiting diverse islands, performing experiments, establishing observatories and gathering samples of flora and fauna. Despite the intention to sail in company, adverse weather often separates the ships, and the Terror arrives at the Cape first

Mar 17 Tuesday
Fine: all in great anxiety about the Erebus which was happily relieved at 8 PM. by her heaving in sight. […] She had been blown off the Land and becalmed all well on board. It was a very dull St Patricks Day. (1)

1 Saint Patrick’s day is the only Saint's day mentioned in the journal. Captain Crozier’s family had been in Ireland since the seventeenth century, he himself having been brought up in Banbridge, County Down, which no doubt is the reason why Saint Patrick's day was celebrated on board. (Campbell, II, p. 48)
 
 

The Kerguelen Islands (Desolation Islands)

 
A painting by Davis of the ships in Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen
Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen Island (Davis)
 
• The Terror reaches the Kerguelens a day after the Erebus, on May 13. Exploration and science commence. Both captains stay on shore for the term days magnetic observations
 
May 25 Monday 
[…] in the afternoon came on to Snow & blow very hard; […] At Night blowing a complete hurricane. Capns and other Officers up all night in the observatories on Shore. I never heard it blow so hard as it has done this night.

27 Wednesday 
Blowing a hurricane with Short Lulls for a few minutes. […] Captains and other Officers Still on shore in Observatories: Very trying weather for them considering night and day without Beds.

29 Friday 
Blowing so hard we could not send a boat ashore with provisions for the Officers and men at the Observatories.

31 Sunday 
Fine. Captain’s onboard at Divisions: raining all night.

 

Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)

 
A painting of the ships leaving the Derwent, with lighthouse on the right
Nov 12. Erebus and Terror leaving the Derwent (Davis?)
 
• The Terror reaches Tasmania ahead of the Erebus on Aug 14 (anchoring the next day). The crews rest, socialise and prepare the ships for the Antarctic.
 
• Before departure, a ball is held to honour the visitors on Oct 29: more on the ball and the flag made for Crozier
 
 

The first tour of the Antarctic

 
1841
 
Two paintings by Davis of the ships and Mount Sabine
Jan 11. Mount Sabine (Davis)
 
• Jan 12. Possession of Possession (Penguin) Island

Robertson (Surgeon, HMS Terror):
On the morning of the 12th, a signal from the Erebus announced Captain Ross’s intention to land. Captain Crozier and a few of his officers were also soon on their way to the shore, the boat from the Erebus preceding. [...] At this stage of our progress the chiefs of the expedition consulted on what was best to be done, and determined to run to leeward of the western island. [...] after three hours’ laborious pulling, the boats reached the shore at noon.
 
A painting by Davis of landing at Possession Island
Possession Island (Davis)
The beach was bound by a heavy crust of ice, firmly adhering to the land, and presenting rugged and bold cliffs, which, in the heavy swell, rendered landing difficult. Captain Ross, however, was the first to throw himself from the bows of his boat upon the ice, and was soon climbing up the steep in safety; and Captain Crozier, on reaching the shore, immediately followed him, and in a few minutes more both parties were landed, and scrambling about with gaping curiosity, handling every object which presented itself, eager to enrich their collections with stores from a spot never before visited. [...] These birds are possessed of considerable courage, and were furious in their attacks on all who approached. (pp. 42-44)

A painting by Davis of the ships and Coulman Island, with ice floes in the foreground
Jan 17. Coulman Island (Davis)
 
Jan 27. Possession of Franklin Island
 
Robertson:
A painting by Davis of landing at Franklin Island
Franklin Island (Davis)
Here the boats pulled up, and Captain Ross, thinking the place was practicable, stepped into the Terror's boat, which being a whale-boat was better adapted for beaching than the cutter. [...] but such was the rise and fall of the waves, that a landing was almost despaired of, when Captain Ross stood up in the boat, resting his hand on Captain Crozier's shoulder, and evidently resolved for a spring at whatever risk. Captain Crozier observing this, proposed to him to attempt to touch the land with his hand only, and then christen it by what name he pleased: to which Captain Ross immediately replied, "Ah! old boy, if I put my hand on it, the body must follow;" and instantly springing upon the shelf of the dyke, he quickly succeeded in scrambling up the rock, whilst the angry sea dashed its spray high upon his heels. It was now Captain Crozier's turn, and he, watching his moment with a seaman's eye, also got cleverly up the icy rocks clear of danger: but it was not so with many that followed for, notwithstanding the kind-hearted Captain had considerately made one end of a line fast to a rock, and threw the other into the boat, to enable the officers to land with greater safety, two were overtaken by the waves [...] we now had two Union Jacks on shore: the one, as before, fastened to a pike-staff, and planted on the rocks; the other, which was of silk, and a present made to Captain Ross on leaving England, was similarly secured, and held by Captain Crozier over the head of our courageous and persevering commander. (pp. 49-52)

A painting by Davis of the ships in front of Mount Erebus (smoking) and Mount Terror
Jan 28. Mount Erebus and Mount Terror (Davis)
 
Cunningham:
Mar 17 Wednesday 
St Patricks day : […] in the evening spliced “the Mainbrace”.


The second winter in Van Diemen's Land


• The Terror returns to Hobart on Apr 6 (anchoring the next day).
 
Apr 26 Monday
Very fine: [...] Captains Ross & Crozier went down to Port Arthur (the penal Settlement) onboard the Albatros a nice little yacht belonging to Mr Blacket a private Gentleman.
 
Eleanor Franklin's invitation to the ball onboard the ships
 Eleanor Franklin's invitation (source)
• A grand ball is held onboard the ships as a thanks for the generous welcome

Jun 1 Tuesday 
Capn Ross presided with the Govn Sir John Franklin on his right and Capn Crozier on his left.

"The Ball on Board the Discovery Ships", The Courier (Hobart, Tas.), Fri 4 Jun 1841

Major Mainwaring proposed, in a most elegant little speech, "The Navy;" he dwelled on its glorious achievements; not merely the 1st of June had its victory to boast–every day in the year might number its anniversary of some noble deed. Captain Crozier returned thanks–he acknowledged his inability to do justice to the sentiments which had been just expressed; he must content himself with an expression of his own country.–Caed millè faulterah slaunterah; [=“Céad míle fáilte, sláinte”] "a hundred thousand welcomes and thanks."

• Later in June Crozier suffers a bout of serious illness. Ross, away on a land trip, is reassured in writing by both Crozier and Dr Robertson (Jun 15; more on the letter). Crozier does improve enough to continue with the expedition, but his health problems persist the rest of the year
 
E. Franklin:
Apr 7
Erebus & Terror came in. No accident or sickness. Both Capt Ross & Crozier looking very well. (diary; source)

Jun 9
Capt Crozier has inflammation in his side, has been bled & is better. (diary; source)
 
Cunningham:
Jun 9 Wednesday
Captain took very ill for which I am sorry as it deprives him of going up Country on a little pleasure.
 
E. Franklin:
Jun 10
[As Franklin and Ross leave for a trip] Capt Crozier was too ill. (diary; source)
 
Jul 19
Captn Crozier was not well when he left, and we are anxious to hear from Sydney how he is. (letter; source)

Cunningham:
Nov 14 Sunday
[Bay of Islands] no Divine Service: Captain not well [...]

Nov 21 Sunday
Mustered by Divisions: Capn not well. No Divine Service: all ready for Sea.

• They sail Nov 22 from the Bay of Islands, Aotearoa. Two days later a man is saved after jumping overboard from the Erebus
 
Davis:
That ship [Erebus] is not nearly in such good order as this ship; there is too much familiarity between the men and the officers to please me, and that strikes at the root of all discipline. [and further in the letter to Mrs. Stephen] I fully believe that severity at first is lenity in the end and those ships that punish at first rigorously, in the end have fewer punishments than a ship in which they begin the opposite way.


The second tour of the Antarctic


A painting by Davis showing the ships struggling during a gale in the pack
A gale in the pack (Davis)
 
• During the second season the navigation proves even more challenging, the ships are seriously damaged on several occasions, and the results are limited
 
[Dec 10-11]
About this time the ship was very uncomfortable, owing to the captain being very much out of temper and the gun-room officers quarrelling amongst themselves.

Cunningham:
Dec 20 Monday
Very fine but cold; ice middling thick: lowered a boat. Captain boarded the “Erebus” and on his passage got nearly upset by a whale, the stem of of the Cutter taking the whales Spout hole just as he was blowing. Fortunately he made a sudden retreat.


A painting by Davis of New Year celebrations on the ice
Bringing in the year 1842 (Davis)
 
1842
 
• Both ships are made fast to the same floe for the New Year festivities. Afterwards, the struggle through the pack resumes
 
Davis:
Jan 15
She kept striking so heavily as to keep all the bells ringing.
 
A painting of HMS Terror framed with the ship's timber
'This frame is made from the remains 
of the rudder of the Terror.' (image)
• Jan 20 the Terror suffers a shattered rudder during a gale in especially treacherous ice conditions, as well as other injuries; complicated repairs last for a week
 
The usual smile had gone from Captain Ross' countenance and he looked anxious and careworn. They said he was most anxious for this ship [Terror], she having been so badly handled to the northward [Capt. Back's expedition], which she has never recovered.
 
• A heating apparatus incident occurs ten days later where Crozier orders the lower deck flooded to prevent a fire breaking out. Then, hazardous seas continue

Cunningham:
Feb 18 Friday 
Some Light squalls of Snow Heavy sea on: Strong breezes. In the afternoon in tacking took a sea through the Cabin Window which done a good deal of mischief to papers of the Captain’s &c it broke one of the Sashes all to pieces.
 
 

The Erebus-Terror collision

 
A painting by Davis showing Erebus damaged after collision with Terror
Erebus and Terror (Davis)
 
• The Terror has a close call weathering an iceberg on Feb 28 ("They said in the Erebus that it was a very pretty sight, but more interesting to those that are safe than to those present," Davis, p. 24, ill. p. 25). Two weeks later the ships run into a group of bergs and collide. "The Captain himself, when it was all over, said that he had not the slightest idea what he did during the time or how we got through" (Davis, p. 31).
 

Cunningham:
Mar 13 Sunday
Such a one as I hope I may never spend again.
 
Mar 17 Thursday
Saint Patrick’s day: as dull a one as I have Spent for Years.

Davis (to Mrs. Stephen):
Of course there are now a great many ifs but I believe they all agree that if we had not run foul of each other we must have been wrecked. It is now talked and laughed over as a common occurrence the only time before the ships were so close was to give a Ball at dear Hobarton a slight difference the last meeting


The Falkland Islands

  
Herbarium specimens: alga of Falkland Isles
Crozier's alga collection. Falkland Isles
 
• The third winter is spent in the Falklands, arriving on Apr 6. The ships are overhauled, and Crozier receives the news that he's been confirmed Post Captain

Cunningham:
Apr 6 Wednesday
By chance there was a new navy list which contained the promotion of four of the Officers of the expedition our own worthy Commander Posted at which we were all heartily glad.

Jul 29 Friday
Blowing a gale. The pinnace with the Captains in endeavoured to [work] up the harbour but got off the “heads” and nearly foundered: had to throw the dingy overboard and Spring thier Mizen Mast. [Next day] In the forenoon the “Pinnace” came up all safe.

Herbarium specimens: alga of Cape Horn
Crozier's alga collection. Cape Horn
 
Aug 16 Tuesday 
The Captains birth day: all the Officers of both Ships dined with him and Spent the evening. Spliced “main brace”.
 
Note:


The third tour of the Antarctic


• The final tour is frustrating and fruitless
 
Hooker (Asst. Surgeon, HMS Erebus) speaking at the Royal Geographical Society, as quoted by M.J. Ross (p. 206)
It was the worst season of the three, one of constant gales, fogs, and snow storms. Officers and men slept with their ears open, listening for the look-out man's cry of 'Berg ahead' followed by 'All hands on deck!' The officers of Terror told me that their commander never slept in his cot throughout that season in the ice, and that he passed it either on deck or in a chair in his cabin.
 
 
1843
 
A painting by Davis of the ships at Cape Lockyer
Jan 7. Cape Lockyer, named at the request of Capt. Crozier
(Davis) (source) [Capt. Lockyer of HMS Stag]
 
Cunningham:
Jan 16 Monday 
At 8 AM Made fast to a large floe of ice. “Erebus” close to. Ice jammed very taut round us. […] At 10 PM Heavy pressure of ice from the Southward. The floe to which we were made fast shivered to pieces; the Captain was onboard the “Erebus” at the time and had to run for his life. We hung on to one piece of the floe. The Erebus to another had great difficulty in holding on, the warps snapping like carrots.

Mar 17 Friday 
St. Patricks Day. […] All the Offrs dined with the Captn. Spliced Main brace.

Apr 9 Sunday
The Captn informed me he would write to Head Qrs with a View of Doing something for me. (2)
2 It has not been possible to trace a letter from Crozier and it may be that, having discussed it with his senior officer, Captain Ross wrote for both Sergeants. (Campbell, II, p. 143)

• A celebration on their way home, off the Azores

Aug 16 Wednesday 
Fine Light & Variable winds & occasionally Calm. Captain & some of the Officers dined onboard the Erebus.

• The expedition sights England on Sep 2 and anchors two days later. Sep 22, a day before the ship is paid off, Terror's first and only fatality occurs as a seaman falls overboard and drowns.
 
A painting by Davis of the ships in the Ross Sea, one of them signalling with three flags
Erebus and Terror in the Ross Sea (Davis)

 

Postscript


• R.T. Gould ("The Ross Deep", Geographical Journal, 1924, p. 241) as quoted by Deacon
 
When one considers the enormous amount of oceanographical and other work which Ross, practically unassisted by a scientific staff, and handicapped by his arduous duties and responsibilities as leader of the expedition, undertook and completed in the course of this celebrated voyage, the wonder is not that he made mistakes, but that he did not make more.
 
• J.D. Hooker as quoted by M.J. Ross (p. 233)
 
He (Dr. Mill) called on me for information about Ross. I told him that he was an indefatigable collector of marine animals – at New Zealand spending hours up to his knees in water, & elsewhere dredging, that he kept back these collections intending to publish them himself as his own collecting. This he never did and when, after his death, I was sent by the Admiralty to Aylesbury to recover some instruments which he had retained I found in the backyard of the house a huge pile of rubbish amongst which were the broken & unbroken empty bottles that contained his collections, the contents of course destroyed.

• All nine sailors on the Franklin North West Passage attempt who had previous polar experience came from this expedition (Lloyd-Jones)
 
HMS Terror
• John Diggle, AB/Quartermaster on the Erebus -> ship's cook on the Terror
• Thomas Richard Farr (joined the Terror at Hobart in 1840), Captain of the Maintop
• William Jerry, AB
• Thomas Johnson, Captain of the Maintop/Quartermaster -> Boatswain's Mate
• Thomas Jopson, Captain's Steward *
• Luke Smith (joined the Terror at Hobart as first entry in 1840), AB -> Stoker
• James Savage from the Erebus, Captain's Coxswain, was discharged on medical grounds at Woolwich.
 
* Robert Nixon was supposed to take over as Captain's Steward, but Crozier thought him a troublesome rogue and discharged him after a month.
 
HMS Erebus
• William Hardy alias Samuel Brown, Boatswain's Mate
• James Rigden, Captain's Coxswain/Captain of the Maintop/Quartermaster
• Richard Wall, ship's cook
 
The cover of Ross' narrative, showing Erebus under the Southern Cross
The original cover of Ross' narrative
"It should be observed that the modern representation
of a crozier is erroneous; as being applied to a bishop's
pastoral crook. The true crozier is a long staff, with a plain
cross at the top, borne only by an archbishop. From this
form, the great constellation of the Southern Cross has
been termed by Seamen 'The Croziers.'" (F.H. Crozier)


 
 
Sources:
  1. Campbell, Richard, The Voyage of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror to the Southern and Antarctic Regions. Captain James Clark Ross, R.N. 1839-1843. The Journal of Sergeant William K. Cunningham, R.M. of HMS Terror, Part 2, in: The Journal of the Hakluyt Society, April 2009 (link)
  2. The Courier, "The Ball on Board the Discovery Ships", Fri Jun 4 1841 (link)
  3. Crozier, F.R.M., Letter to James Clark Ross, [1841], MS 1226/8;D
  4. Davis, J.E., A Letter from the Antarctic by J. E. Davis, 1901 (link)
  5. Davis, J.E., Letter to Mrs. Stephen, May 1842, YEGvDOjn
  6. Deacon, Margaret, Scientists and the Sea 1650-1900, a study of marine science, 1971
  7. Franklin, Eleanor, Diary kept at Government House, Hobart, 1838-41 (link)
  8. Franklin, Eleanor, Letter to Catherine Franklin, 1841 (link)
  9. The Literary Gazette, Sat Sep 14 1839 (link; pdf)
  10. Lloyd-Jones, Ralph, The men who sailed with Franklin, in: Polar Record, Volume 41, Issue 4, October 2005, pp. 311-318 (link; pdf available)
  11. Log of the Terror, 1839 May 20-1840 Nov 30, The National Archives, ADM55, Log 133 (link | online)
  12. Log of the Terror, Captain's, 1843 Aug 1-1843 Sept 23, The National Archives, ADM 51/3692 (link)
  13. Muster Book of the HMS Terror, 1845, The National Archives, ADM 38/1962 (link | transcript)
  14. Notes on crews of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror (link)
  15. Robertson, J., A few general remarks on the Antarctic continent, discovered by Captains Ross and Crozier, in: The Tasmanian journal of natural science, agriculture, statistics, &c, Vol. 2, no. 6, 1846, pp 41-55 (link or link)
  16. Robertson, John, Letter to Sir James Clark Ross, Jun 15 1841, MS 1226/26;D 
  17. Ross, Capt. J.C. (H.M.S. Erebus), Letters concerning preparations and early stages of his Antarctic expedition (link) || Sep 26 1839 no. 72: Memo to Crozier on stowage, directing to disassemble empty casks | Nov 3 no. 78: A seaman on Terror confesses to being a deserter (also no. 114) | Nov 16 no. 82: On issues with beef | Dec 9 no. 81: Directs to start issuing lemon juice, sugar and pickles | Dec 23 no. 83: On extra Christmas provisions | Dec 31 no. 97: On New Year's extras | 1840 Feb 8 no. 106: On discharge of two ABs at St. Helena
  18. Ross, James Clark, A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions, During the Years 1839-43 (Vol. I | Vol. II)
  19. Ross, M.J., Ross in the Antarctic, 1982
  20. Savours, Ann, Two unpublished accounts of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1839-43, in: Polar Record, Volume 10, Issue 69, September 1961, pp. 587-604 (link)

Map: 
 
South Polar chart shewing the discoveries and track of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror during the years 1840.1.2.3


Illustrations:
  1. Algae of Cape Horn and Falkland Isles collected by Capt. Francis R.M. Crozier of H.M.S. Terror, Aberdeenshire Council Museums, P3404.1-5
  2. Beaufort Island and Mount Erebus. Discovered 28 Jan 1841, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, PAF0588 | alt image
  3. Bringing in the year 1842 (crews of Erebus and Terror), National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, PAH0061 | alt image || alt SPRI, New Year's Day, 1842. Lat.66.32.S Long.156.28.W., Y: 59/5/5 || alt Bonhams, Auction 19552, lot 16
  4. Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen Island, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, PAF0587
  5. 'Coulman Island' showing Erebus and Terror, Bonhams, Auction 19552, lot 17
  6.  Davis site at Antarctic Circle
  7. Erebus and Terror, Bonhams, Auction 10574, lot 94
  8. Erebus and Terror, Bonhams, Auction 10574, lot 95
  9. The Erebus passing through the chain of bergs, 13 Mar 1842, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, PAF0593
  10. The Escape. Erebus and Terror 13th March 1842, Bonhams, Auction 10574, lot 93
  11. Franklin Island, Jan 27 1841, Lat.77.8. S, SPRI, Y: 59/5/2
  12. A gale in the pack, 20 Jan 1842, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, PAF0592
  13. H.M. Ships Erebus and Terror in the Ross Sea, Christie's, Auction 6911, lot 78 | alt image
  14. H.M. Ships Erebus and Terror, January 20th 1842, in Latitude 66°.37' South, Longitude 159°.48' West, Christie's, Auction 6015, lot 178 / Auction 7261, lot 155 [rudder remains frame]
  15. HM Ships "Erebus" and "Terror" parting from His Excellency Sir J. Franklin KCH on their cruise to the ice November 12th 1840. Entrance of the R. Derwent, Tasmania, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (on loan), PAJ0754
  16. Invitation to a ball received by Eleanor Franklin from Captains Ross and Crozier
  17. Mount Sabine in Latitude 71° 50' South and Longitude 169° 00' East – West 40 miles – Discovered by H.M. Ships Erebus and Terror Jan 11th 1841, Christie's, Auction 7261, lot 152
  18. Mount Sabine in Latitude 71° 50' South and Longitude 169° 00' East – West 40 miles – Discovered by H.M. Ships Erebus and Terror Jan 11th 1841, Christie's, Auction 7261, lot 153
  19. Possession Island, Victoria Land, Jan 11 1841, Lat.72.56 S, SPRI, Y: 59/5/1
  20. Watering in the pack, 1842, SPRI, Y: 59/5/6