![[BELCHER, Sir Edward (1799-1877)]. Autograph letter signed by Frank Toms (an assistant surgeon on Belcher's Franklin relief expedition) to an unidentified recipient (a fellow doctor), 'Off Cape Osborn, Wellington Channel', 20 February 1854, 8 pages, 4to, bifolia, annotated 'Letter No.2' (soiling, some wear to edges)](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/CSK/2011_CSK_02362_0134_000(belcher_sir_edward_autograph_letter_signed_by_frank_toms_to_an_unident045831).jpg?w=1)
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[BELCHER, Sir Edward (1799-1877)]. Autograph letter signed by Frank Toms (an assistant surgeon on Belcher's Franklin relief expedition) to an unidentified recipient (a fellow doctor), 'Off Cape Osborn, Wellington Channel', 20 February 1854, 8 pages, 4to, bifolia, annotated 'Letter No.2' (soiling, some wear to edges)
A diatribe against Belcher by a subordinate on his Arctic expedition, complaining of his rudeness and authoritarian ways -- 'he tried on the Quarter Deck of Pioneer to wound my feelings (they are somewhat obtuse now) he was very rude indeed'; Toms goes on to provide a long account of an interview in which Belcher attempts to force him to retract a letter, and details other unjust treatment and 'petty insults'. The letter gives interesting details of medical conditions on the expedition, explaining that two men have died by scurvy, the second with 'dropsy commencing in the Lower Extremities and terminating in Hydrothorax &c. I would not allow a Post Mortem this is no place nor time (a 2nd winter) to disturb the men in fair health -- the corpses were not buried for 4 weeks but allowed to remain on our upper deck to the disgust and annoyance of the men'. On the broader activities of the expedition, Toms reports that 'Sledges are now about to be sent in all directions to assist Resolute, Investigator &c -- It is said that we shall forsake these ships -- I hope it may be early so as not to run any risks'.
Toms was assistant surgeon on HMS Assistance during Belcher's 1852-54 expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, which culminated in the hasty abandonment of four of his ships, one of which was later recovered floating freely in the Atlantic. Belcher's ability to inspire dislike amongst his subordinates was legendary.
A diatribe against Belcher by a subordinate on his Arctic expedition, complaining of his rudeness and authoritarian ways -- 'he tried on the Quarter Deck of Pioneer to wound my feelings (they are somewhat obtuse now) he was very rude indeed'; Toms goes on to provide a long account of an interview in which Belcher attempts to force him to retract a letter, and details other unjust treatment and 'petty insults'. The letter gives interesting details of medical conditions on the expedition, explaining that two men have died by scurvy, the second with 'dropsy commencing in the Lower Extremities and terminating in Hydrothorax &c. I would not allow a Post Mortem this is no place nor time (a 2nd winter) to disturb the men in fair health -- the corpses were not buried for 4 weeks but allowed to remain on our upper deck to the disgust and annoyance of the men'. On the broader activities of the expedition, Toms reports that 'Sledges are now about to be sent in all directions to assist Resolute, Investigator &c -- It is said that we shall forsake these ships -- I hope it may be early so as not to run any risks'.
Toms was assistant surgeon on HMS Assistance during Belcher's 1852-54 expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, which culminated in the hasty abandonment of four of his ships, one of which was later recovered floating freely in the Atlantic. Belcher's ability to inspire dislike amongst his subordinates was legendary.