Arctic Exploration in the Nineteenth Century

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Regard
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Arctic Exploration

James Rennell and British Arctic expeditions, 1818–1829

Polar Record ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 29 (170) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwyn Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Close Friend ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Ocean Currents ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Arctic Exploration ◽  
Stark Contrast ◽  
Deep Interest

ABSTRACTDuring the resurgence of Arctic exploration in the early years of the nineteenth century, James Rennell was the leading British geographer. He had a deep interest in exploration, and was a close friend of many naval and scientific men involved in Arctic research. Rennell used the observations of a number of explorers in his major work on the currents of the Atlantic — the first scientific treatise on ocean currents. These observations led Rennell to form opinions on where northwest passages would and would not be found, in particular, that Prince Regent Inlet would prove to be a cul-de-sac. Rennell was also doubtful of the practicality and usefulness of such passages — his brief, commonsense dismissal being in stark contrast to many statements of his contemporaries. This paper sets out his relationship with the explorers of the time and his role as a scientific interpreter of their data.

scholarly journals Imperial Vision in the Arctic: Fleeting Looks and Pleasurable Distractions in Barker’s Panorama and Shelley’s Frankenstein

2009 ◽  
pp. 0
Author(s):  
Laurie Garrison
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Popular Media ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Popular Press ◽  
Early Nineteenth Century ◽  
Frame Narrative ◽  
Arctic Exploration

Abstract The early nineteenth century saw a rebirth of British arctic exploration and the enthusiasm inspired by these new, seemingly benign imperial endeavors spread quickly and thoroughly through the popular press. One of the most popular media for conveying the news and results of imperial projects was Barker’s panorama in Leicester Square. This medium encouraged a form of vision that was particularly conducive to garnering public support; the overwhelmingly large and meticulously detailed canvases caused the viewer to engage in a swift, haphazard form of looking that conveniently drew focus away from all the potential violations of people, landscape and property implied in exploration of regions such as the Arctic. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, published just before the exhibition of Barker’s first arctic panorama, presents a critique of this form of vision in the arctic frame narrative, which is plagued by Captain Walton’s continually distracted looks.

The memorials on Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada: an historical and pictorial survey

Polar Record ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Present Condition ◽  
Royal Navy ◽  
Photographic Record ◽  
Systematic Nomenclature ◽  
History Of ◽  
Arctic Exploration ◽  
Important Site ◽  
Made In

This paper describes observations made on visits to Beechey Island in 1999, 2002, and 2005. These visits were made in order to examine the memorials on this very important site for Arctic exploration and to make an extensive photographic record of them. Their history and present condition are described. There are some inconsistencies and confusion in the scattered literature concerning their history and this paper seeks to resolve these matters. It is hoped that further investigations to resolve the few remaining problems, will be conducted and that a systematic nomenclature, which is suggested in the paper, will be adopted for the memorials. Restoration, repair, and regular maintenance of the memorials are becoming necessary and appropriate funding for this is required before it is too late. Close regulation of the erection of more modern memorials and burials, some of which, in the author's view, detract from the significance, solemnity, and appearance of the island is desirable. With the growing number of airborne and ship borne travellers and tourists visiting Beechey Island, a degree of supervision may become necessary in order to ensure that the memorials remain intact. Beechey Island is one of the most important heritage locations in Canada and in the history of Arctic exploration by the Royal Navy in the nineteenth century.

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