National Terror Bay Treasure

Whatever happened to the Franklin Expedition? Th e fate The Northwest Passage today of the doomed mission Sir was on an impossible quest. In 1845, the Northwest is one of the biggest unsolved Passage was totally blocked by ice. Today, however, that ice is melting. mysteries in Canadian history. Global warming is now opening up the route for a short time each summer. A team of Canadian scientists has been combing the Arctic Just as in Franklin’s day, countries see its value as a shortcut to Asia. for answers since 2008. Two The route could trim thousands of kilometres and several days off a sea voyage. One ship that made the trip in 2013 saved four days and years ago, it found Franklin’s $200,000 in fuel costs. However, environmentalists say the route is too flagship, the HMS Erebus. On shallow and difficult to navigate. They fear that some day, an oil spill September 3, searchers located will devastate the fragile Arctic ecosystem. her sister ship, the HMS Terror. They hope the ships will fi nally Nine ships navigated the Northwest Passage in 2007. In 2012, the reveal what happened to Sir John number rose to 30. Most have been small ships, coast guard vessels and supply tugs. The week the Terror was discovered, however, an Franklin and his men 170 years enormous 13-story cruise ship carrying 1700 people from Alaska to ago. New York made the transit. This opens the door to mass tourism, says The Franklin international affairs professor Michael Byers. That’s something that expedition could end in disaster. The naval hero and seasoned “This is an incredibly remote area. If a ship carrying 3000 passengers hit polar explorer left Britain in an iceberg, it could take two days to get search-and-rescue helicopters 1845. He wanted to fi nd, chart up there. Yet an accident like that is almost inevitable.” and claim the Northwest Passage for Britain. Th is shortcut The crew of 130 set out in two of latest technology. Th e Erebus through the would the British Navy’s fi nest ships. and Terror had iron-clad hulls, provide a much faster trading They were equipped with the steam-powered propellers and route from Europe to Asia.

2016/2017: Issue 2 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 3 National Terror Bay Treasure heated cabins. Th ey carried “I start thinking maybe I should provisions for a three-year trip. tell my boss about this mast I Who owns found six, seven, eight years the wrecks? Yet they weren’t prepared for ago,” said Mr. Kogvik. “I fi gured The United Kingdom launched the ruthless Canadian Arctic. it might be one of the boats that the Franklin Expedition, but Franklin and his men never they’ve been looking for.” the ships were discovered in returned. Canadian territory. So who owns “Beset by ice” Time capsule them? The expedition quickly changed Dozens of search parties were The shipwrecks belong to the course for Terror Bay. It took sent out. All they found was a UK. However, the UK and just 2½ hours for sonar to pick note, dated April 1848, in a stone signed a Memorandum up images of the Terror. Th e of Understanding in 1997. It cairn on . crew soon saw a clear picture gives the UK the right to claim Franklin was dead, it read. Th e of the wreck sitting upright in any relics related to the Royal ships had been trapped in the 24 metres of water, right in the Navy – and an equal share of ice for 19 long months. Th e 105 middle of the bay. any gold – before releasing the surviving crewmen were striking wrecks to Canada. out on foot. They hoped to fi nd a A remotely operated underwater A third party has a claim to the trading post. vehicle (ROV) investigated ships, too. According to treaties further. Its images showed three Not one man made it and no one signed with the , the Inuit upright masts, a double wheel knows why they left the safety of Heritage Trust is entitled to and a cannon in perfect shape. their ships. Th e Terror may hold a share of any archaeological some answers. Next, the ROV ducked through artifacts found in . Sammy’s story a hatch and cruised the inside of the ship. It filmed mess tables perhaps, the Franklin crew will Th e Terror was found in Terror still standing, a food locker, spill its secrets at last. J Bay. (It sounds like the place to wine bottles, and china plates look, but there’s no connection.) on wooden racks. Hatches and The site was 100 kilometres exhaust pipes were in the right north of the Erebus wreck, far locations and the bell matched outside the search grid. the one on the Erebus. No doubt A tip from an Inuk man led about it! This glorious time to the find. Sammy Kogvik, of capsule was the Terror. , joined the crew When the ice melts next on September 2. Th e search summer, searchers will return to vessel was supposed to head look for ship documents. Th en, to Cambridge Bay the next morning.

Definitions cairn: a mound of stones erected as a memorial or marker Provisions: necessary supplies, such as food and clothing, memorandum of understanding: a formal agreement as for a journey between two or more parties treaty: a formal written agreement between nations

Page 4 What in the world? • Level 1 2016/2017: Issue 2 National Terror Bay Treasure ON THE LINES

Answer the following in complete sentences: 1. Name the two Royal Navy ships that were part of the Franklin Expedition.

2. How many crew were on board these vessels?

3. Where and when did the expedition sail from and what was the purpose of this journey?

4. List at least two special features that these ships were equipped with.

5. How long were these ships trapped in the ice?

6. Which ship did Canadian archaeologists and scientists find in 2014?

7. What did Canadian searchers recently find in Terror Bay?

8. Describe how this summer’s search found the long-lost ship.

9. Who owns this vessel?

2016/2017: Issue 2 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 5 National Terror Bay Treasure BETWEEN THE LINES An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article. What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that Franklin’s crew decided to leave the relative safety of the two ships and strike out on foot?

JUST TALK ABOUT IT 1. In the 19th century alone more than 40 searches were launched for HMS Terror and HMS Erebus. Each one added to the British knowledge of the North, as have our own modern day mapping and searching missions. In your opinion, have these expeditions been worth the risk, the countless hours of effort, and millions of dollars? Give reasons to support your response. 2. As you see it, what is the significance of finding Franklin’s two lost ships? Explain.

ONLINE Note: The links below are listed at www.lesplan.com/en/links for easy access. 1. Explore the maps, teacher resources, and videos on the Parks Canada website for the Franklin Expedition at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/culture/franklin/index.aspx 2. Email a question about the search for Franklin’s ships to the Arctic Research Foundation at http://www.arcticresearchfoundation.ca/ 3. See underwater video footage of the HMS Terror and read about the Inuit argument for a seat at the negotiating table at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/16/inuit-canada-britain- shipwreck-hms-terror-nunavut 4. Watch a news video about the discovery of the HMS Terror at http://video.foxnews.com/v/5123147834001/long-lost-hms-terror-fi nally-discovered/?#sp=show-clips 5. Understand why we should care about the discovery of Franklin’s ships, as argued by Canada’s most celebrated news anchor, Peter Mansbridge, at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/the-franklin-search- peter-mansbridge-on-why-we-should-care-1.2760551 6. Watch a short Discovery Channel documentary, “The Search for the Northwest Passage: Part 1” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiKrYuuerAc Part II is available at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IU28jeAAaQE J

Page 6 What in the world? • Level 1 2016/2017: Issue 2 Map Assignment Complete this map assignment to better understand the article Terror Bay Treasure.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting. 2. Colour your map after all labelling is completed. 3. Print in pencil only first, then go over the printing in black ink. 4. Work carefully and neatly. Resources Required: pencil, black pen, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser and an atlas. Part A Locate and label the following territories in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Northwest Territories (pink) Nunavut (orange) Part B Locate and label the capital of each territory above and underline each city name. Part C Locate and label the following provinces in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Alberta (red) Saskatchewan (green) Manitoba (purple) Ontario (red) Quebec (yellow) Part D Locate and label Greenland [Denmark] in CAPITAL letters and shade it green. Part E Locate and label the following islands: Baffin Island Ellesmere Island Devon Island Victoria Island Part F Locate and label the following communities: RankinInlet Arviat Baker Lake Cambridge Bay Pond Inlet Igloolik Part G Locate and label the following bodies of salt water and shade all ocean water dark blue: BeaufortSea ArcticOcean Lancaster Sound Hudson Bay Hudson Strait Baffi n Bay Part H Locate and label the following lines of latitude: 600 N Arctic Circle 660 N Part I Locate and label the route of Erebus and Terror. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin’s_lost_expedition) Part J Complete your map with a frame, title and compass. J

Nunavut 2016/2017: Issue 2 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 7 0 300200100400 Kilometres