Beechey Island Grave Marker - John Hartnell - Erebus

Another of the early deaths of expedition, just three days after the first. Arguably these men were more fortunate than those who lived for longer.

The expedition became frozen into the ice and the ships were eventually crushed. Stuck in the Arctic with no way of contacting anyone, poisoning, lack of food, the incessant cold and illness taking its toll on the men, those still alive in 1848 decided to try and walk south, despite resorting to the cannibalism of their dead comrades they never made it. All members of the expedition perished.

Air temp: +3ºC Latitude: 74º43'N Longitude: 91º48'W