The Polar Regions galleries have much about the search for the north-west passage and many objects related to the ill-fated Franklin expedition, or rather, attempts to find out what happened to HMS Erebus and HMS Terror and the men who sailed on them.
The crew was officially labelled lost in 1854, but in 1857 the steam yacht Fox went out in search, funded by public subscription -
Arctic clothing of the time couldn't have been all that warm -The coat worn by Captain McClintock of the Fox looks to be made of linen, not even very thick cloth -
The Fox's bell is also displayed in that case. Before finding those items, my warm-up was a miscellany, the contents of a case convenient to somewhere to sit. From a distance they can be indecipherable - those boxes, for instance, turned out on closer inspection to contain compasses -
Carol found not just Arctic clothing, but also an Antarctic wedding dress, made with fabric that happened to be available ... a tent -
Janet K examined a toy yacht -... and draughtsman's curves -
Janet B too found a model boat
... and also a fine penguin -
Sue's model of a boat prow was an innovative design, and made in 1783 -
Jo's view of Greenwich Observatory (up the hill) was drawn with her "other" hand, and the people and dog appeared just as she'd finished, so into the picture they went -
... and indoors, she was drawn to an impressionist painting -
Judith's snow scene captures the cold and isolation of polar regions -
... after which she turned to breadfruit --
Najlaa found shapes, pattern, and interest in various instruments and tools -
Extra-curricular activities
Janet K found many shades of green at Kew Gardens... |
... and also a bare oak tree |
Judith brought along "free weaving" made in a City Lit course |
Mags (who had a very, very long journey and arrived rather late) has been drawing small objects as part of "a drawing a day" |
Najlaa has been given two christening gowns to do with as she will, and wonders what to do with them |
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