Facsimile of the Illustrated Arctic News ...

Click on the numbers above to view a selection of pages.

Facsimile of the Illustrated Arctic News, published on board H.M.S. Resolute...in search of the expedition under Sir John Franklin. London, 1852.

The Illustrated Arctic News was a manuscript newspaper produced by the crew of the expedition led by Horatio T. Austin. Its main purpose was to provide occupation and entertainment during the long Arctic night. Five numbers appeared between October 31, 1850 and March 14, 1851, edited by Lieut. Sherard Osborn and G. F. McDougall (both of whom later wrote books about the expedition).

The number for November 30th 1850 welcomes the arrival of the Grinnell expedition, the first major American effort in the Arctic. The illustration (shown on the second page above) is by George F. McDougall, who later took part in the expedition that found the Northwest Passage.

The Americans tied down by no dogmas and unshackled by forgone practices, indeed setting totally at defiance all Arctic rules & regulations, have in much less time than ourselves, and incurring much less risk, transported themselves from Home to the Floe edge off Griffith’s Island.... They have our best wishes.

[p. 20]