Admiralty Letter to McClintock Regarding Boats of the Franklin Expedition (1881)

Boats supplied to "Erebus" and "Terror" when fitted out as Arctic Ships

No.
28 Feet Pinnace - - - - - 1
30 Ft Tilley - - - - - 1
30 Ft Whalers - - - - - 2
25 Ft Cutters - - - - - 2
23 Ft Cutter - - - - - 1
22 Ft Gig - - - - - 1
12 Ft Dingy - - - - - 1
Total 9

The above is the establishment for each ship and or bateaux. Dimensions of the boat found was 28 ft. long, 7.3 broad/ Hobson says 12.6 deep. She was alike at both ends.

[accompanying letter]

Dear Sir Leopold

In reply to your note I beg to enclose a tracing of the mid ship section of the Erebus and Terror for your information.

… I also send a list of the Boats with which they were supplied – according to our office records.

About this document ...

  • Written by: British Admiralty
  • Written to: McClintock
  • Archive: National Maritime Museum
  • Collection: Papers of Admiral Sir Leopold McClintock, MCL / 45 (a) Correspondence and Press Cuttings connected with Lieut. Schwatka expedition 1880-1881
  • Date: 4 April 1881
  • Notes: Transcription of McClintock’s letter and accompanying list of boats from the originals by Lyle Dick at the National Maritime Museum, 2013.
Sunken ship