| Description |
A relic of Sir John Franklin's last expedition 1845-48. A sheet block and hook found in an abandoned boat at Erebus Bay, King William Island, in May 1859 by the McClintock Search Expedition 1857-59. An oak 4-inch sheet block with a hook. There is a brass sheave inside and a rope strap around the outside with an eye and copper sheet hook attached. A number (1) has been painted on in white by the Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich.
McClintock's party reached this site on 30 May and discovered that Hobson had been there a few days before on 18 May. The boat was 28 foot long and mounted on a heavy sledge. McClintock found it just above high tide mark pointing back in the direction of the ships and containing a large quantity of abandoned personal possessions and two skeletons. McClintock considered the block and sheet hook evidence that the boat had been provided with a sail. |
