Wexford Ireland

The Discovery of the North-west Passage

Sir Robert McClure was born in Wexford, Ireland; he joined the British navy in 1824 and twelve years later gained his first experience of Arctic exploration as a mate on the HMS Terror in the 1836 expedition led by Sir George Back. Between 1838 and 1846, he served on the Canadian lakes and was attached to naval stations in the West Indies and North America. In 1848 he joined the Franklin search expedition under James Clark Ross as first lieutenant on the Enterprise. On his return from this voyage, he was given command of the Investigator in another search expedition in 1850. He reached Banks Island and subsequently discovered the Prince of Wales Strait between Banks Island and Victoria Island. He sailed into the strait but became trapped by the ice, they were marooned for the winter, McClure explored further by sledge on the ice, he discovered the Viscount Melville Strait. In the spring, the crew searched Banks and Victoria Islands for the missing Franklin expedition. When the ship could finally extricate itself from the ice, McClure sailed up the west coast of Banks of island and into the strait which today bears his name. The shifting ice trapped the ship and once again they were forced to wait out the winter, McClure reached Winter Harbour on Melville Island by sledge, he left a message detailing their whereabouts. One year later they were rescued by the Resolute, on his return to England, McClure was knighted for having discovered the Northwest Passage. He never returned to the Arctic, spending the rest of his career in the Pacific, he was made Rear-Admiral when he retired in 1873, he died later the same year.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, Ireland - Unravel Travel TV

Wexford, Ireland
25 May 2012 at 6:20am

$0.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 9:21:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy it now on Ebay!

Johnstown Castle Wexford Town Ireland Old Postcard 0436
25 May 2012 at 6:20am

$4.31 End Date: Sunday Jun-24-2012 3:34:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.31 Buy it now on Ebay!

Ireland, Curracloe Beach, Co Wexford
25 May 2012 at 6:20am

$3.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-9-2012 6:48:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.00 Buy it now on Ebay!

IRELAND COUNTY WEXFORD - ENNISCORTHY - THE BRIDGE - 1909
25 May 2012 at 6:20am

$1.55 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday May-25-2012 12:47:57 PDT Bid now on Ebay!

1977 Wexford Ireland Coast Narrow Streets Historic Buildings Town Press Photo
25 May 2012 at 6:20am

$9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-22-2012 18:33:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy it now on Ebay!

Next page: 10 Day Weather Dublin Ireland

Bookmark/Share This Page:

Wexford Ireland News