Erebus - The Story of a Ship, Michael Palin

[BlowingOldBoots]

A very good book about the 'bomb' ship and her adventures. Also touches on many aspects of the famous people's lives that sailed on her life, what they were doing and how they got involved in the various exploits that eventually led them to participating in Franklyn's doomed expedition.

I recommend it.

[wully]

Huz it goat loads o‘ pichurz in it an nae big wurdz?

[BlowingOldBoots]

Sorry Wully, just a few small black and white pictures. It has a few words I don't understand which are quite big, but I am driller and I managed to read it.

[claymore]

It was homeward bound one night on the deep,
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep.
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew.

With a hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek that passage around the pole
Where we poor sailors do sometimes go.

Through cruel hardships these men did go
His ship on mountains of ice was drove
Where the Eskimo in his skin canoe
Was the only one who ever came through

In Baffin Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know.
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell,
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell.

And now my burden it gives me pain,
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main.
Ten thousand pounds would I freely give
To know on earth that my Franklin do live.

Great song and a joy to sing

[cpedw]

This takes me back quite a few years

[Burst Boiler]

If ye prefer big wurdz tae big burdz, then I'd recommend Solomon Gursky was here by Mordechai Richler. It's fiction, but if I mention the link to the Terror and Erebus, I spoil the plot. Awww naw. Ach, its still wurth a read.

[spuddy]

Despite the big words I've ordered a Solomon Gursky was here on your recommendation.
Ta for the tip

[pagoda]

Despite the big words I've ordered a Solomon Gursky was here on your recommendation.
Ta for the tip

Snap! Also bought "Cocksure" by the same author. Decidedly strange! Not remotely politically correct in the current climate....

A curious but talented writer!

[pagoda]

Just finished Michael Palin's book. Took a while but it was excellent. He is clearly damned good at research and also good at writing it all up!
It all finished badly for Franklin in the Canadian Arctic, but they took quite a few problems with them....

well worth a read.

[claymore]

Hmmm...
I think, reading this, one can begin to understand how difficult it is for me when we ship Para aboard.

[SteveN]

Another good read on a similar theme is 'The Ice Master' by Jennifer Niven about the 1913 arctic expedition aboard the HMCS Karluk.
It didn't end well.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_voyage_of_the_Karluk

[Burst Boiler]

Anybody watch the the first two parts of The Terror on BBC2 last night? I missed it but would catch it up on iplayer if folks think its any good.

[cpedw]

I watched the first part and won't be watching any more. It didn't engage me at all. It seems to be focussed on differences between a pompous git who knows nothing and a swarthy underling whose sage advice gets ignored. I can watch that at home!

I didn't enjoy Palin's book either but Pentangle's rendition of Lord Franklin is one of my 8 for the Desert Island.

[leonardsonia]

Hi I also watched first part