History of the Franklin Expedition

Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site

Over one hundred and seventy years ago, Sir John Franklin and his crew went missing while searching for a Northwest Passage. Inuit living along the path of their travels were the last people to see them alive. Over time, Inuit traditional knowledge (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) combined with new knowledge and modern technology, led to the discovery of the wreck sites of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in 2014 and 2016. Today, there is still much to learn from the story of these shipwrecks.

Who’s who in the Franklin expedition

Meet Sir John Franklin, his crew and some of the European and Inuit searchers who looked for the missing expedition.

The vessels

A brief history of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror and how they were prepared for their final arctic voyage in 1845.

Franklin's 1845 expedition

See maps of the Franklin Expedition’s voyage through the Arctic and learn about equipment, supplies and daily life on the ships.

Searching for Franklin

Read about the searches that took place for Franklin, his crew and the ships in the decades that followed their disappearance.

Date modified :