May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth: Letters of the Lost Franklin Arctic Expedition

by Russell A. Potter (Editor), Regina Koellner (Editor), Peter Carney (Editor)

"May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth" is a privileged glimpse into the private correspondence of the officers and sailors who set out in May 1845 on the "Erebus" and "Terror" for Sir John Franklin’s fateful expedition to the Arctic.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maritime, Historical, Canada, Nautical, Travel

495 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2022

About the author

I teach Victorian literature, the history of Arctic exploration, and early media at Rhode Island College. My first novel, Pyg: The Memoirs of a Learned Pig, has just been published by Penguin Books.

Reviews

[Athanasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In early 2022, I read "Erebus: The Story of a Ship" (easily the best history novel I've ever read) which sent me down a two year rabbit hole into Sir James Clark Ross' and Sir John Franklin's lives and polar expeditions. I've bought almost every book I could find on those subjects, but *this* book is like a reward for all the hours I spent reading wiki pages and articles about the status of the shipwrecks. To actually *read* John Franklin's, Joseph Hooker's, and Francis Cozier's personal letters to family and friends from 1845, not to mention the hundreds of other letters from the crew??? Insanity. I would die to read a letter written by James Clark Ross, even just one letter!! Otherwise I adored this collection!! Ahhhhhh!

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

not even gonna lie. this is my bible now.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The initial thought was that this would be a ghoulish read. After all, the last letters written by a group of men whom you know to have died as a result of the decisions made in the time before they left England. As it happened it was a fascinating read and made it possible to learn a lot about the people and their families. Two things struck me right away: 1. how much the expedition leaders relied on their wives.to write letters, buy kit and service it, visit people who might further their aims, run things at home while they're away and generally act as their husbands' seconds and 2. what a deep divide there was been officers and men and even within the officer group itself. When the lieutenants were being chosen the comment was made that person x was a gentleman and would be a good addition to the mess. It is possible that some other choices might have been described as "not a real gentleman" and therefore not a good addition to the mess. No one wants to be stuck in a small place with a limited number of people, some of whom are unpleasant company but the reason some were rejected seems to be purely class rather than either competence or pleasant nature. The officers all assume they will be back within three years at the outside even though they make gestures toward "just in case" while the rank and file are seriously making arrangements in case they don't come back. The end notes make sure you don't forget connections and previous mentions. This book is essential for anyone doing research on the Franklin expedition. This has been wonderful to me because I used to do docenting for a display about early settlement in B.C. and we knew that Lady Franklin came to Hope in B.C. on one of her search expeditions. She had such tremendous faith in her husband.

[gremlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many guys called stanley

[Marla Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is (obviously) so fucking devastating but also filled with so much love between letters and so many funny bits of gossip and jokes :(

my favourite franklin expedition related book I think

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent presentation of letters, which more than anything, has given me a good idea of what a number of people aboard the Franklin Expedition were really like. Love the descriptions of different people by Fitzjames, and his drawings too. I would love to have known a little more about what was going on in Terror; this collection is skewed heavily toward Erebus (based on what survived, naturally). Sir John comes out as benign, able to craft a well-written letter and quite well-liked by the crew, but your eyes do start to glaze over at another mention of VDLand. I wish more seamen had been able to write, and that we had got something from Little or more from Lt. Fairholme (who I feel is an interesting person but seems largely overlooked by, well, everyone). The descriptions of the Inuit people range from unfortunate to outright offensive, except Sir John who seems disinclined to speak ill of people (or maybe just people he sees as Christian converts, idk). I also just want more from Crozier who seems depressed as hell. Justice for him and his tea and sugar.

More than anything this book made me want to learn more about magnetism, and what people were up to in the 18th century researching it. Fitzjames' frustrations with his job are so apparently well-hidden from everyone except in that one letter to Sabine, and that final letter by Hodgson (?) is so interesting due to its criticism of the expedition and of their magnetism studies. I love the juicy gossip; it's like two of the best letters were saved for last. Final observation, Goodsir is a huge nerd and a bit of a snob; I think I like him more than his TV counterpart, in some ways, but honestly he definitely wasn't the Good White Man foil character that they created. I also like Fitzjames a lot from his letters.

Of note: I was also reading a collection of 17th century letters recently, and something that stood out to me is how there were a sort of, hmm how to describe this, set of conventions around letter writing? Like in that book the author talks about how people would talk about how they were writing late at night in the bedrooms in their letters as a sort of way of creating intimacy. I frequently saw comments about passing off their letters as "nonsense" and instructing someone else to burn them- some things I noted in these letters as well. I wonder if it was due to people being worried about letters falling into the wrong hands; it makes me wonder about all the letters that did get burned, and also what sorts of letter writing conventions that were common back then that I don't understand today. It's so interesting to think about. Much to consider, etc etc etc.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

very touching and fantastic editing (clear, informative and willing to problematise not only the expedition itself but its recovery efforts). it's startling to feel the humour, worries and love from individual writers cut through what could be endlessly repetitive descriptions and time itself.

[lonnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in the Franklin expedition, this is a fascinating read, albeit not an easy one. Not only are the letters written in a sometimes old-timey language that often misses punctuation or correct spelling, you are also reading the actual words of people who met a harrowing fate but were quite optimistic at the time of writing these letters, giving everything a sense of foreboding. However, there are also delightful moments where the personalities and humor of the writers shines through, and you get a real sense of who they were. I think this collection of letters, the forewords and appendices do a great job at humanizing these men while not glossing over the bad aspects, like the egregious racism towards the Inuit present in some of the letters.

[Anna B-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the bible for Franklin Expedition-obsessed girlies.

No honestly, if you are interested in the expedition, or historical maritime research in general, this thing is like the holy grail. Reading their letters is the best way to get to know these sailors as real people; especially Goodsir and Fitzjames, whose letters were copious (in Fitzjames' case at least) and often quite personal. Reading these letters also gave me a new perspective on John Franklin himself. Furthermore, the book allows great insight into the scope and substance of the planning of these types of expeditions in the 1800s. I adored the addition of sketches and maps which gave context to what was written in the letters. I absolutely loved reading this book and would 100 percent recommend it!

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

literally sobbing james fitzjames I need you

[Evelyn Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

haunting and so so fascinating. james fitzjames was the cattiest bitch on the seven seas

[otterfood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diva-ism of James Fitzjames

[Henry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book! I've been reading this on and off for months, dipping in and out, reading a few letters at a time. it's truly such a singular work, and feels seriously important. apart from being very nicely produced, it features a very appropriate somber editorial tone, and for the most part the letters are left to speak to themselves. whilst it can be a tough read at times- lots of details repeated across several letters, references to cultural facts of the time etc, it's incredibly rewarding, and the insights given to the bigger picture of the Franklin expedition are unparalleled. Fitzjames' letters are a real standout, his sense of humour and genuinely touching proclamations of love to his friends and family only amplify the tragedy of his fate. Crozier's letters are also fascinating, especially his letters to James Ross, which reveal his deep well of insecurity, anxiety and the fact he's the only man who seems willing to voice doubts and uncertainty. the letters of the crewmen as well, such as engineers Gregory and Thompson and especially ice master Reid are so valuable, the stories and voices and hopes and prayers of the forgotten figures in the story. often they have a more realist and honest framing, assuring their wives that if they don't return their families will be looked after in contrast to the overwhelming optimistic naivete of the young officers like Le Vesconte and Irving's correspondence.

the final chapter, containing primarily letters sent by Jane Franklin to her missing husband punctuate this story of characters on a fittingly tragic note. the increasing tone of her uncertainty of the letters reaching Franklin, the graduale shortening of length and less details included really hit home, but still there is the feeling of her never wanting to give up, supported by the letters from Sophia Cracroft- punctuated by urges for Franklin to remember her fondly to Crozier, which again just pours on the tragedy.

all of this is supported by some really excellent additional material in the appendixes, the tone of the editors is so great, concise and appropriately impartial. there's also an extensive section of notes at the end which I've only skimmed through so far which expounds upon some of the more offhand or curious comments in the letters. the level of care and reverence present in this book is really something, it's a truly important work considering how sensationalised this story has become through it's fictionalisation and subsequent cultification in recent years. nothing wrong with discovering this story through The Terror- the novel or the show- but it's essential to reign in any fandom bias to this story or the people involved- the vile racism that appears throughout the letters in relation to the Inuit is a sobering reminder of that. for example, the letters reveal an accomplished, ambitious and even slightly arrogant Harry Goodsir, a far cry from Paul Ready's simpering portrayal of him in Ridley Scott' series. these were real people, not TV characters

all in all, an incredible singular work of preservation and essential for anyone interested in the story of Franklin, Crozier and their men

[Cathrine Hoffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Five stars to the first book of the year - keep them coming, 2024!)

This books is gorgeously curated and presented, with an amazing introduction, extensive notes for each letter, appendices consisting of both primary and secondary sources for further context, and a rightful awareness of the problematic treatment and well as important role of the Inuit in Greenland and Northern Canada.

If you’ve already familiarized yourself the Franklin Expedition, either through a history book, The Terror or even the full Wikipedia page, this is the perfect next step in your exploration of the inspiring yet heartbreaking events surrounding HMSS Erebus and Terror’s final voyage into the Arctic.

You come to know the authors of the correspondence from both vessels so well through their descriptions of life aboard the ships, their thoughts, hopes and friendships, which makes the final part, “Letters to the Lost,” so much more poignant. I felt very honored to be reading the families’ personal letters to their loved ones, knowing that, sadly, they never got to read them themselves.

Highlights for me were understanding the depth of feeling between Sir John and Lady Jane, Fairholme’s amazingly descriptive letters to his father (I would have loved to read the responses), and getting an insight into just how well everyone was getting along, and how excited they all were to be making friends among their new crew mates.

I love my Cold Boys even more now. <3

[Amolhavoc · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite kind of history, in that it shows that the past was pretty different but that people have always been people. The first tranche of letters, from the planning stages until the expedition’s departure from Greenland, are so blithely optimistic that it’s easy to forget that the whole business ended so terribly. Most of the letters are from the ships’ officers but there’s a broad range of social history on display nonetheless with the most mundane references and quotidian details, such as terrible dad jokes and professional rivalries among GPs in Fife, often proving the most poignant. The last letters, sent from friends and relatives as the chance of any survivors being found became vanishingly remote, become almost meditative reflections by the end, with the emotional vulnerability of the correspondents still acutely discernible nearly 180 nears later. 

Additionally, as a book which showcases outsider, colonialist perspectives of the Arctic and its peoples, this is a very good companion piece to Unravelling the Franklin Mystery: Inuit Testimony by David C. Woodman.

[Reggie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is heartbreaking and beautiful.

The transcriptions are excellent and the small edits for clarity/guessing are used sparingly and unobtrusively. Wonderful notes section in the back, very well organised.

I read this over a series of months, gradually working my way through individual men. Crozier’s letters always get me but I was surprised by how emotional I l was when reading the letters from John Diggle’s family. Henry TD Le Vesconte’s letters were also very impactful.

If you have interest in the Franklin Expedition, this is a must read.

[Brenna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standout "characters" include James Fitzjames and Harry Goodsir- it was so great to learn more about them as people through their letters. The book of course also includes a lot of letters of Sir John himself but though he writes well I did not find him a very compelling figure (sorry). But this is a really great compilation if you want to learn more about the people behind the Franklin Expedition.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a huge Franklin-head— I mean, I watched The Terror like every other person on the Internet with even a slight age of sail interest, and I have read The Terror, but I wouldn’t consider myself a Franklin obsessive. That being said, I really enjoyed this. Possibly I just enjoy reading historical letters. Possibly because James Fitzjames is quite hilariously bitchy.

[Conny W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting and exciting Story!

[Gamze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls when they will never figure out what happened to the Lost Franklin Expedition crew in their lifetime (I'm the girl).

[Shannon Reid]

Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the Franklin Expedition.

[Amber Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am fascinated by the Franklin Expedition and the men involved, but this was horrifically dull.

[Max Kondziolka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential.

[sorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a deeply researched, beautiful organized, and thoughtful book. there are a few especially prescient lines in some of the letters that cut to the heart.

[Dani C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭😭