Stuff You Should Know The Mysterious Disappearance of the Franklin Expedition
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Aug 17, 2023 Dive into the gripping tale of the Franklin Expedition, where all 129 crew members vanished in the Arctic's icy grip. Discover Lady Jane Franklin's passionate push for the mission amidst societal challenges and the ill-fated journey's harrowing realities. The narrative unfolds with the crew trapped in ice, facing diminishing supplies, and the eventual fateful decisions made for survival. Explore controversial findings about cannibalism and the importance of Inuit knowledge in unraveling this historical mystery, revealing the true cost of exploration.
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Disregarding Inuit Knowledge
- The Inuit possessed crucial knowledge of the Arctic but were often disregarded by European explorers.
- Explorers who heeded Inuit advice fared better, while those who dismissed it faced greater challenges.
Franklin's Advanced Ships
- The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, originally warships, were retrofitted for Franklin's expedition.
- These ships featured iron plating, steam engines for propulsion and heating, and a water distillation system.
Scurvy on the Franklin Expedition
- The Franklin expedition carried ample provisions, including livestock, pets (a monkey, dog, and cat), and 930 gallons of lemon juice to prevent scurvy.
- Despite the lemon juice, many crew members developed scurvy, likely due to the ascorbic acid being neutralized during boiling.