A series of eight sketches of the voyage of H.M.S. Investigator ...

Click on the numbers above to view the 8 sketches.

1. “First discovery of land by H.M.S. Investigator. September 6th. 1850.”

2. “Bold headland on Baring Island.”

3. “H.M.S. Investigator in the pack. October 8th. 1850.”

4. “Critical position of H.M.S. Investigator on the north-coast of Baring Island. August 20th. 1851.”

5. “H.M.S. Investigator running through a narrow channel in a snow storm, between grounded and packed ice. September 23rd. 1851.”

6. “Melville Island from Banks’ Land.”

7. “Sledge-party leaving H.M.S. Investigator in Mercy Bay, under command of Lieutenant Gurney Cresswell. 15 April 1853.”

8. “Sledging over hummocky ice. April, 1853.”

Samuel Gurney Cresswell. A series of eight sketches in colour (together with a chart of the route)... of the voyage of H.M.S. Investigator (Captain M’Clure) during the discovery of the North West Passage... London, 1854.

Cresswell was an officer on H.M.S. Investigator under Captain McClure. When the crew of the Investigator was found by the search party from the Resolute Cresswell led the first sledge party 160 miles to the Resolute carrying the six sickest crew members. His series of drawings illustrates the historic venture.

Click here to view the chart (map) that was included with the sketches.