HMS Erebus was one of the great exploring ships, a veteran of groundbreaking expeditions to the ends of the Earth.
In 1848, it disappeared in the Arctic, its fate a mystery. In 2014, it was found.
This is its story.
This is a book of heroes, the daring, handsome James Clark Ross, who mapped much of the Antarctic coastline, the unlucky John Franklin, whose ambitious adventurous spirit ended in a disastrous expedition and the gallant ship which linked their lives, the Erebus. It was the rediscovery of the wreck of HMS Erebus on the seabed in Queen Maud Gulf in 2014 that prompted this book.
Written by Michael Palin, whom we know so well as an adventurous traveller on our TV screens, this amazing story is an easy read, using quotes from fellow travellers on their incredible voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic made by this small sturdily reinforced boat. Through thick pack ice and terrifying storms, the crews attempted to reach places no-one had yet seen. With some success and eventual failure, the crews battled on in voyages made between 1839 and 1847.
Michael Palin brings these voyages to life using his own experiences of visits to the Arctic, Antarctica and the Falklands and his observations of the characters of the men who made those first explorations. His vivid account of the Christmas and New Year celebrations by the crews on the Erebus and the Terror while trapped by ice in 1842 is surreal and yet believable. The book’s drawings and illustrations add to the readers appreciation of these great endeavours.
Erebus: The Story of A Ship on Amazon UK
Lizanne lost in a good book 
This sounds fascinating. Sir John Ross built and lived in Stranraer, in what is now the North West Castle Hotel. He created a life-size model of the cabin on his ship, the Victory, (which can still be seen) to make it easy to explain polar navigation. The hotel was the first in the world to have an indoor curling rink!
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Yes he was James Ross’s uncle and they went to find magnetic north together.
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Ooh, I’ve not read a Palin book for years. Really used to enjoy his travel books.
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I was lucky enough to be lent the hardback by a friend.
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This sounds an incredible story. One for my list, I think. Thanks 🙂
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