Details
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN (1786-1847)
Autograph letter signed to Captain (later Admiral Sir) George Back, Brindisi February 24th 1832, 4 pages, 4to with integral address panel 'To Captain Back R.N Naples', with '64 Via Sistina' added in pencil in another hand, red wax seal.(small section torn away and adhering to seal).
A fine friendly letter, written during Franklin's three year tour of duty as commander of the frigate Rainbow on the Mediterranean station, giving some details of his activities, offering advice on how to obtain a command.'I am come to Brindisi to convey Sir Frederick Adam [high commissioner of the Ionian Isles from 1824-1831] to Corfu. Sir Hry. Lushington was correct in saying the Rainbow was at Malta... but I remained there only five days under quarantine and then sailed again to assume the Command of the Ionian Station of which I have had the charge for the last ten months - The headquarters are at Corfu where we generally stay - but the station extends from the Southern promontory of the Morea... up to the head of the Adriatic Gulph and includes all the Ionian Islands - so that we have full scope for Cruising employment & excercise. On my return to Corfu I will wait only a few days and then perhaps proceed to the Gulph of Portras where I have now despatched the Pelican. The unsettled state of affairs in Greece render the presence of ships near the ports... very desirable. I wish very much to hear of your being afloat..' Franklin goes on to offer advice to Back on how to obtain a command, recommending that he returns to London 'I think you would stand a fair chance of getting something by persevering in your attendance and asking at the Admiralty', and appearing to agree with Back that a knowledge of languages and European current affairs would be of help to Back in his search for a position. Franklin goes on to mention how much he enjoys being at sea ('I am on my favourite element'), and that his wife (Jane, Lady Franklin) is about to take 'a trip to Alexandria & other places in the Levant', the letter ends on a more sombre note 'You will be distressed to learn that our dear friend Dr Richardson has lost his amiable wife... I was also sorry to see the death of your Brother in Law'.
Franklin had command of the frigate Rainbow from August 1830 to December 1833, during most of this time he was on the Ionian station. Back made repeated unsuccessful requests for a ship between 1827 and 1833. Between August 1830 and April 1832 he made a Grand Tour, returning to London upon hearing of the failure of Sir John Ross's expedition to return to England. He then headed an expedition to the Arctic in 1833-35, under the auspices of the Colonial Office and the Hudson Bay company, but largely paid for by subscription. He remained without a naval command until 1836, when on board H.M.S. Terror, he made his fourth foray into the Arctic.
Autograph letter signed to Captain (later Admiral) Sir George Back at the United Services Club, HMS Erebus 18th, May 1845, 1 page, 8vo, integral blank.
Franklin's last letter to Back, dated on the day of the departure of the Erebus and Terror from Greenhithe.
'My dear Back I thank you for your note and present which I found on my table - We are off tomorrow. Believe me Yours very truly John Franklin Capt Sir Geo. Back Rt US Club'.
Franklin returned home from Tasmania in June 1844. By then 'little remained to be done to solve the problem of the north-west passage... though whether, under any circumstances, it could be available for navigation was still problematical. The admiralty resolved on a naval expedition' (DNB). Franklin was appointed to lead the expedition, the Erebus and Terror were commissioned in March 1845, and set sail from Greenhithe, on the Thames, on the 18th May. The expedition was last seen by an Aberdeen whaler of Lancaster Sound on the 26th July. (2)
Autograph letter signed to Captain (later Admiral Sir) George Back, Brindisi February 24th 1832, 4 pages, 4to with integral address panel 'To Captain Back R.N Naples', with '64 Via Sistina' added in pencil in another hand, red wax seal.(small section torn away and adhering to seal).
A fine friendly letter, written during Franklin's three year tour of duty as commander of the frigate Rainbow on the Mediterranean station, giving some details of his activities, offering advice on how to obtain a command.'I am come to Brindisi to convey Sir Frederick Adam [high commissioner of the Ionian Isles from 1824-1831] to Corfu. Sir Hry. Lushington was correct in saying the Rainbow was at Malta... but I remained there only five days under quarantine and then sailed again to assume the Command of the Ionian Station of which I have had the charge for the last ten months - The headquarters are at Corfu where we generally stay - but the station extends from the Southern promontory of the Morea... up to the head of the Adriatic Gulph and includes all the Ionian Islands - so that we have full scope for Cruising employment & excercise. On my return to Corfu I will wait only a few days and then perhaps proceed to the Gulph of Portras where I have now despatched the Pelican. The unsettled state of affairs in Greece render the presence of ships near the ports... very desirable. I wish very much to hear of your being afloat..' Franklin goes on to offer advice to Back on how to obtain a command, recommending that he returns to London 'I think you would stand a fair chance of getting something by persevering in your attendance and asking at the Admiralty', and appearing to agree with Back that a knowledge of languages and European current affairs would be of help to Back in his search for a position. Franklin goes on to mention how much he enjoys being at sea ('I am on my favourite element'), and that his wife (Jane, Lady Franklin) is about to take 'a trip to Alexandria & other places in the Levant', the letter ends on a more sombre note 'You will be distressed to learn that our dear friend Dr Richardson has lost his amiable wife... I was also sorry to see the death of your Brother in Law'.
Franklin had command of the frigate Rainbow from August 1830 to December 1833, during most of this time he was on the Ionian station. Back made repeated unsuccessful requests for a ship between 1827 and 1833. Between August 1830 and April 1832 he made a Grand Tour, returning to London upon hearing of the failure of Sir John Ross's expedition to return to England. He then headed an expedition to the Arctic in 1833-35, under the auspices of the Colonial Office and the Hudson Bay company, but largely paid for by subscription. He remained without a naval command until 1836, when on board H.M.S. Terror, he made his fourth foray into the Arctic.
Autograph letter signed to Captain (later Admiral) Sir George Back at the United Services Club, HMS Erebus 18th, May 1845, 1 page, 8vo, integral blank.
Franklin's last letter to Back, dated on the day of the departure of the Erebus and Terror from Greenhithe.
'My dear Back I thank you for your note and present which I found on my table - We are off tomorrow. Believe me Yours very truly John Franklin Capt Sir Geo. Back Rt US Club'.
Franklin returned home from Tasmania in June 1844. By then 'little remained to be done to solve the problem of the north-west passage... though whether, under any circumstances, it could be available for navigation was still problematical. The admiralty resolved on a naval expedition' (DNB). Franklin was appointed to lead the expedition, the Erebus and Terror were commissioned in March 1845, and set sail from Greenhithe, on the Thames, on the 18th May. The expedition was last seen by an Aberdeen whaler of Lancaster Sound on the 26th July. (2)