The Resolute under the command of Captain Henry Kellett formed part of the squadron of five vessels under the overall command of Sir Edward Belcher which represented the last government-backed attempt to establish the fate of Sir John Franklin's expedition. 'In February 1852 Kellett commissioned the Resolute for the search for Sir John Franklin... Going up Baffin's Bay and through Lancaster Sound, the Resolute wintered at Melville Island. In August 1853 she was driven out of her winter quarters and passed the next winter in the pack. On 15 May 1854 she was abandoned by positive orders from Belcher and contrary to Kellett's strongly expressed views..., with which naval opinion has generally concurred.' (DNB)

During the Arctic winters diversions included entertainments at the Theatre Royal and Royal Arctic Casino (HMS Resolute) and at the Royal Arctic Theatre (HMS Assistance), publicised with playbills printed on small ship-board steam-presses, printed on paper and silk. The entertainments continued the tradition begun by Parry on his first Arctic voyage.