These were instructions for Captain Charles Francis Hall (1821-1871) who participated in two search for Franklin expeditions - the first in 1860-62, the second 1863-69. “His expeditions had already gained him considerable fame among the American public which he reinforced by lecture tours and newspaper articles” (Howgego). Having received a $50,000 grant from Congress, Hall was in the midst of preparing an attempt on the North Pole on USS Polaris when this pamphlet was published.
The expedition departed New York on 29 July, 1871. Tension among the crew started almost immediately and by the time they reached Greenland a month later, nearly everyone was at loggerheads. On 2 September, the expedition reached its farthest north, 82º16’N. Despite calm conditions, sailing master Sidney Buddington refused to take the vessel any further north and so the Polaris wintered at what became Polaris Bay (Greenland) 81º88’N / 61º44’W. A couple of sledging expeditions were made with great difficulty. On return from one of these, Hall showed signs of illness, possibly a heart attack. On the basis of the ill will on the voyage, Hall was suspicious of his ongoing illness and accused others of poisoning him. He died on 8 November and was buried at Thank God Harbour.
An investigation was conducted by the Secretary of the U.S. Navy which concluded Hall had died of a stroke. However, Hall’s body was exhumed in 1968 and traces of arsenic were found in samples taken of his finger nails and hair. Despite the notorious manner of his death, Hall is probably best known for collecting Inuit testimony concerning the fate of John Franklin and his crew.
As one might expect from a government publication, the book is reasonably well-held institutionally. But it’s rare in the trade, with none listed at auction.
Provenance: Charles A Schott, who was a member of the United States Coastal Survey.
Howgego III, H5; Sabin, 72024; not in Arctic Bibliography.
